Hornaday 200 +P for deer?

[STEVE M]

I plan on taking my 45ACP with me deer hunting as a backup to my rifle and was wondering what more experianced hunters thought of this load. Any shots would be under 25yards from a braced position. I'll be hunting in middle Tennessee (110-150lbs on the hoof.)

 

[Art Eatman]

Given the circumstances you describe, I've heard worse ideas. If you can truly say you're an above-average shot, and don't get "buck fever", it'll work. But I'd do some careful practicing before you go...

Art

 

[Dave McC]

Here in Md, the GM and 45 ACP do not generate enough ME to be legal, Check your laws and with the DNR first.

I've given a Coup De Grace to a couple Md Whitetails(bigger than Tn ones) with my GM, it works but requires careful placement and close range.

 

[Will Beararms]

Speaking for myself, a hunter in the thick timber and harwood creek bottoms of South Arkansas, all a handgun does is get in the way. It's so thick that it would be very easy to have a vine yank your pistol out while in hot pursuit of a thicket buck.

You need to look at a shorter rifle like a Marlin 30-30 or Remington Model 7 that can be quickly manipulated for quick shots on a wounded deer. I a have hunted for 29 years since the of 7 and I have never had the need for a handgun as backup. All it does is create excess baggage and I love handguns!

Forget about shooting a huge cartridge. Consider a lighter kicking round like a .308, .260 Rem, .243 Win, 30-30 etc. that can be easily shot on the fly without knocking your head off. I learned this the hard way toting a 30-06.

 

[Nevada Fitch]

The only time I carry a pistol when deer hunting is during black powder season here in north west Arkansas.I have a cap and ball ruger old army.I have used it to finish off two different deer that other people had wounded.It works good to about 30yds.During regular gun I don't want to pack the extra weight plus if I can't kill it with the rifle I sure as heck ain't gonna get it with the pistol.the only exception is if I take a wild hare to hunt with just a pistol,which I do ocasionaly.I did shoot one doe with the 45 auto once I was using a 200grain hollow point.It did the job ok but I was not all that impressed.