using a 45 acp for hog hunts

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
one of the neighbors sons wanted to go hunt hogs locally, he has tried several of my hand guns and has found,
he is by far most comfortable and consistently accurate using the LEE 230 grain hard cast bullet ,
loaded over 6 grains of unique in my EAA WITNESS 45 ACP PISTOL
these are very accurate moderately priced pistols,
I have carried for , concealed carry use.
self defense and hunting.
its certainly not a magnum and while I prefer revolvers like a 44 mag,
the 45 ACP does get the job done with far less recoil and noise.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/799227956
keep in mind hogs are hunted locally and ranges tend to be rather short, 20-30 yards is a long shot.
how far away do you think youll see a hog thats at most 28"-32" at the shoulder
akml4.jpg

akml3.jpg


Ive used and loaded these cast bullets for several years loaded over 6 grains of unique powder
lee90287.jpg
4838d1306186895-anyone-have-experience-lee-452-230-tc-bullet-pt145-pro-pa160181.jpg

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...diameter-230-grain-tumble-lube-truncated-cone

nei also sells a similar weight bullet mold thats proven accurate.

  1. EAA makes a very nice all metal
    full size 45 ACP chambered witness pistol that I can easily recommend
    I have zero personal experience with the polymer versions or compact versions, or the 10mm version,
    but can recommend the 45 acp without reservation
    be SURE TO GET THE WONDER FINISH , all steel VERSION

    as mines very consistently accurate and very durable
    and its been trouble-free for 25 years, be aware its an older design, and while 100% reliable and very ergonomic and accurate
    easy to clean and disassemble etc, it lacks a de-cocker
    I feel it MILES ahead of a colt govt 45 in all respects, certainly in accuracy from what Ive seen,
    I have several friends that own either the 45 acp or similar 10mm stainless finish witness pistols none-has any complaints,
    but you might want to, visit a local dealer,to look one over, and get a feel for it before purchase
    if the 10mm was available at the time I purchased mine Id have gotten two, one in both calibers
    and most likely never have purchased my glock #20 which I consider marginally inferior to the EAA in ergonomics, and for sure inthe EAA consistent accuracy
    15617_1.jpg


    https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/15617

    https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/38878/european+american+armory+999220+witness+steel+14+1+10mm+45"






when returning the pistol he had borrowed,
he informed me after returning from a hunt with his dad,
that hes certainly impressed with both my pistol and hand loads ,
and hes currently saving to purchase a similar pistol

EAA/CZ 45 acp

eaa_witness_steel.jpg

http://www.reloadammo.com/45loads.htm

https://www.chuckhawks.com/45ACP.htm

(WC= WadCutter, SWC= Semi-WadCutter,
HP= Hollow Point, RN= Round Nose), SP=Soft Point
(JHP= Jacketed Hollow Point and if GC indicated, means Gas Check at bottom of lead bullet)

Loads for .45 ACP:

Photo from Mark Curtis

45acp-small-large-case-200.jpg
New 2012 note on .45 ACP cases using small pistol primers vs. the large pistol primers. Not long ago shooters began to report brass that had a small pistol primer pocket instead of the traditional large, due to the use of a more "green" environment primer. More and more range ammo is being sold with the less air polluting primers fitting cases with small pockets. The DANGER here is mixing up a batch of used cases and trying to seat a large primer in a small pocket. Most likely if you use a fair amount of force on the press, it will explode as it is being crushed from not fitting in the small pocket. Loads are generally the same and no documentation has been presented saying anything but if changing from tested maximum loads with one type, back off a bit before using the opposite primer.

(Note: These are near MAXIMUM loads, you should use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)(See note on NEW Nitro 100 powder at bottom of page)
Bullet sizes vary from .451" for jacketed to .452" for some lead in diameter. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.
ACP is an acronym that stands for Automatic Cartridge (& Colt) Pistol. It was used by various John Browning cartridge designs primarily used in Colt and FN pistols.

(Note H110 & W296 are the same as of 2008 as is HP-38 & W231)

(IMR 4227 is same as H-4227 if made in Australia)
----------------------------------------
155 grain LSWC (Lead, Semi-Wad Cutter)
Nitro 100 use 5.9 to 6.5 grains 1,148 fps max.
Bullseye 6.9 gr. 1,175 FPS
Unique 7.4 gr. 1,180
Universal 6.5 gr. 1,015 start
Universal 7.0 gr. 1,135 max
Clays 4.9 gr. 1,040 start
Clays 5.2 gr. 1,082 max
HP38/W231 6.0 gr. 998
HP38/W231 6.7 gr. 1,112 max
No. 2 7.5 gr. 1,204
No. 5 10.0 gr. 1,189
HS-6 9.0 gr. 998 start
HS-6 10.0 gr. 1,126 max
540 8.5 gr. 940
Titegroup 5.7 gr. 1,039 start
Titegroup 6.2 gr. 1,132 max
-----------------------------------------
180 grain LEAD FP
Nitro 100 use 5.3 to 5.9 grains max
Trail Boss 3.5 gr. 664 start
Trail Boss 5.0 gr. 852 max
HS-6 7.8 gr. 805 start
HS-6 9.0 gr. 961 max
Clays 3.8 gr. 783 start
Clays 4.5 gr. 910 max
Universal 5.3 gr. 755
Universal 6.4 gr. 1,019 max
Titegroup 4.2 gr. 771
Titegroup 5.2 gr. 946 max
231/HP-38 5.0 gr. 778
231/HP-38 6.0 gr. 950 max
-----------------------------------------
185 grain Berry's Plated RNHB (Round Nose Hollow Base)
Bullseye 4.5 gr. enough to function action (John Harris load)
Bullseye 4.8 gr. Works well and accurate (John Harris load)
Bullseye 5.2 gr. 905 Hi=917, Lo=891, ES=26
ZIP 6.2 gr. 939 Hi=974, Lo=913, ES=61
Titegroup 5.4 gr. 860 Hi=888, Lo=845, ES=43
Competition - try 4.0 to 5.0 grains.
-----------------------------------------
185 grain Matt's Lead HP bullet
Titegroup 4.9 gr. 926 Hi=941, Lo=909, ES=32 (good)
Titegroup 5.2 gr. 942 Hi=960, Lo=921, ES=39 (also good load)
-----------------------------------------
185 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point)
Nitro 100 +P load, use 6.2 to 6.8 gr. HOT +P load 1,050 fps.
Bullseye 5.3 gr. 914 FPS
Unique 7.0 gr. 928
Unique 6.0 gr. 765 (actual in Colt45 ACP for mild load)
Unique 7.2 gr. 988 MAX
Universal 6.0 gr. 908 start
Universal 6.4 gr. 977 max
Clays 4.5 gr. 855 start
Clays 4.9 gr. 981 max
Titegroup 5.0 gr. 892 start
Titegroup 5.5 gr. 956 max
PowerPistol 9.1 gr. 997 near max
HP38/W231 5.0 gr. 762 start
HP38/W231 5.9 gr. 906 max
HS-6 8.6 gr. 917
No. 2 7.5 gr. 1,077
No. 5 10.2 gr. 1,102
540 10.0 gr. 1,015
WST 5.6 gr. 935
WAP 8.9 gr. 1,045
-----------------------------------------
200 grain LSWC or LRN (Lead, SWC or Round Nose)
Nitro 100 use 5.0 to 5.5 grains max
Bullseye 4.2 gr. 790 FPS
Bullseye 4.8 gr. 815
Unique 5.1 gr. 814
Unique 5.6 gr. 904
Unique 5.7 gr. 842 (different gun)
Unique 6.0 gr. 867 Max
Universal 5.4 gr. 804
Universal 6.2 gr. 955 (MAX)
Titegroup 4.9 gr. 874
Titegroup 5.4 gr. 957 (MAX HOT)
Clays 4.3 gr. 888
HP38/W231 4.4 gr. 771 start
HP38/W231 5.6 gr. 914 max
231 5.5 gr. 910
231 6.0 gr. 942 max (old book load)
ZIP 5.8 gr. 971 max
HS-6 8.4 gr. 907
No. 2 5.8 gr. 939
No. 5 8.7 gr. 1,025
540 8.3 gr. 925
WST 5.1 gr. 910
WAP 7.6 gr. 970
Trail Boss 3.5 gr. 652
Trail Boss 4.5 gr. 783 RNFP lead, Hi=820, Lo=758, ES=62 Works Action-Mild
Trail Boss 5.5 gr. 816 max
-----------------------------------------
200 grain FMJ full jacketed RN Hornady
Nitro 100 use 5.4 to 6.0 grains max *(old powder loads)
Nitro 100+P use 5.9 to 6.2 grains +P max *(old powder loads)
Titegroup 4.7 gr. 812 start
Titegroup 5.4 gr. 944 max
No. 2 6.1 gr. 921 near max
HP-38/W231 5.2 gr. 794 start
HP-38/W231 5.9 gr. 906 max
HS-6 8.2 gr. 868 start
HS-6 9.0 gr. 948 max
Universal 5.8 gr. 889 start
Universal 6.2 gr. 949 max
ZIP 6.4 gr. 955
Unique 5.6 gr. 692 mild target load
Unique 7.0 gr. 882 and 929 in different guns
Unique 7.2 gr. MAX 894 and 945 in different guns
-----------------------------------------
205 grain Matt's Lead HP bullet
Titegroup 5.4 gr. 920 Hi=962, Lo=905, ES=57 (Good)
ZIP 6.2 gr. 986 Hi=1006, Lo=965, ES=41
-----------------------------------------
225 grain Speer JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
Bullseye 4.8 gr. 884 FPS
Unique 6.0 gr. 898
Universal 6.2 gr. 820
HP38 5.3 gr. 832
HS-6 8.2 gr. 825
No. 2 5.6 gr. ---
No. 5 8.5 gr. ---
231 5.2 gr. 824
WAP 7.9 gr. 895
ZIP 5.8 gr. 812
-----------------------------------------
230 grain LSWC or LRN (Semi-Wad Cutter or Round Nose)
(these loads work for the RN Plated bullet,too-don't use max)
Bullseye 4.0 gr. 810 FPS (target accuracy load)
Bullseye 4.8 gr. 884 hot load/Maximum.
Nitro 100 use 4.8 to 5.3 grains max (use 10% less if NEW formulation)
Clays 3.5 gr. 716 start
Clays 4.0 gr. 793 MAX with LRN
ZIP 5.2 gr. 828
ZIP 5.5 gr. 873
ZIP 5.8 gr. 915 max
Unique 5.5 gr. 795 (I got 738 fps in my gun)
Unique 5.5 gr. 913 (in Marlin auto carbine)
Unique 6.0 gr. 840* (I got 777 fps in my gun)
Unique 6.0 gr. 924* (in Marlin auto carbine)
* Alliant shows this a Maximum load
Universal 4.5 gr. 703 start
Universal 4.8 gr. 782
Universal 5.4 gr. 857 max
Red Dot 4.0 gr. 808
Red Dot 4.4 gr. 807 max
Green Dot 4.3 gr. 810
Blue Dot 10.0 gr. 855
Titegroup 4.0 gr. 751 start
Titegroup 4.3 gr. 788
Titegroup 4.8 gr. 855 (MAX)
No. 2 5.6 gr. 870
No. 5 8.5 gr. 968
540 7.6 gr. 860
Trail Boss 3.5 gr. 658 start
Trail Boss 4.4 gr. 748 (using Carolina Cast bullet)
Trail Boss 4.5 gr. 778 Hi=803, Lo=756, ES=47 RNFP bullet
Trail Boss 4.6 gr. 756 max (Hi=769, Lo=741, ES=28) Carolina Cast RN
WST 4.5 gr. 805
HS-6 8.0 gr. 858 MAX
WAP 7.3 gr. 915
HP-38/W231 4.3 gr. 699 start
HP-38 5.1 gr. 785 (Near Max)
HP-38/W231 5.3 gr. 834 Maximum
231 5.1 gr. 850 (I got 734 in my S&W)
True Blue 6.7 gr. 820
True Blue 7.4 gr. 913 max
Silhouette 7.0 gr. 882 max
Competition 3.6 gr. 725
Competition 4.0 gr. 805 max
-----------------------------------------
230 grain FMJ or JHP (Jacketed Hollow Point)
Nitro 100 use 5.0 to 5.6 grains max
Bullseye 4.8 gr. 884 FPS
Clays 3.7 gr. 670 start
Clays 4.0 gr. 732 MAX
Competition 3.8 gr. 694
Competition 4.2 gr. 771 max
HS-6 8.0 gr. 790 start
HS-6 8.2 gr. 825 max
Silhouette 7.3 gr. 868
Silhouette 8.1 gr. 964 max
Tightgroup 4.4 gr. 744
Tightgroup 4.8 gr. 815 max
Unique 5.3 gr. 880
Unique 5.8 gr. 901 max
Universal 5.1 gr. 716 start
Universal 5.6 gr. 844 max in Hodgdon manual
HP38/W231 4.2 gr. 751 sart
HP38/W231 5.3 gr. 832 max
HS6 8.0 gr. 815
HS6 8.2 gr. 825 max
PowerPistol 6.8 gr. 815
No. 2 6.1 gr. 874 max
No. 5 8.7 gr. 927 max
231 5.1 gr. 785
540 7.6 gr. 800
WST 4.9 gr. 800
WAP 7.4 gr. 885
True Blue 6.8 gr. 802
True Blue 7.1 gr. 804
True Blue 7.6 gr. 889 max
CCI commercial comparison 875 Hi=881, Lo=868, ES=13 (excellent load)
Blazer Brass 230 FMJ 812 Hi=888, Lo=735, ES=152
 
Last edited:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/26...elting-furnace

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/20...melt-2-furnace

a decent bottom pour lead furnace with 25 lb capacity currently advertised for $260-$310
a turkey frier, a cast iron pot with a 50 lb capacity and a dipper lists for under $100 if you shop carefully
it heats faster and has twice the capacity, and yes its not ideal, but it does work and does not require you work near an electrical outlet
so working on a screened porch or open garage doorway is a decent option and allows you to get good ventilation so your not breathing lead fumes
 
Last edited:
At times I have too wonder...where do people get the idea that they need more power in a handgun too hunt deer?
one of my neighbors stopped by last evening with a ruger 45lc revolver with a 7.5" barrel, he was talking about trading it in on a newer 480 ruger revolver,
now I like the new ruger 480 revolver with the 6.5" barrel but they are rather expensive.
now I know hes never hunted anything with a revolver , but he said he had read a few articles saying that the 45 lc revolver was,
significantly less powerful than a 44 mag,
and he was under the opinion he might have to trade in his 45 lc for something, more powerful,and if that was the case,
well the 480 ruger looked like it might be what he was looking for?
the first thing I pointed out was that the current ruger 45 LC with proper handloads was more than required ,
and there was little need in spending a ton of cash on a new revolver,
I offered to hand load some perfectly safe ammo and let him get into hunting local wild hogs as a way too get started gaining experience.
I pointed out that, for decades my b-i-l has used a 357 mag revolver and a marlin lever action 357 mag and has been successful,
and that with proper hand loads a 45 lc was just as effective as a 44 mag.
now I fully appreciate the power of a 480 ruger , I think its one of the best hunting calibers available ,
but its power level is certainly not required to hunt deer and hogs around here where ranges seldom exceed 50 yards.

I suggested he order this mold and matching gas checks
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/658577/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-c452-300-rf-45-colt-long-colt-454-casull-452-diameter-300-grain-flat-nose-gas-check

16 grains of 2400 powder was a long standing and well proven safe load in a ruger 45 lc
measure the cylinder forcing cone diam. bullets should be at or marginally larger
 
Some peoples thinking-I have money and I'll go bigger. Wonder what he'll do when a hog runs straight for him?
 
Back
Top