The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: TAB on November 24, 2007, 08:36:50 PM
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SHOULD( key word here) a 1911 be used for hunting deer?
I'm not talking about handgun hunting in general. just 1911s.
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Should -no
Could - Yes
OK so why do you ask?
Jon
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Just a try to prove to myself that majority of gun onwers/ hunters are not complete
(http://newmedia.funnyjunk.com/pictures/ass-hole-get-it.jpg)
Latly I seem to be getting the vibe that more and more gun owners have gone completely off the edged...seems like we are shooting ourselfs in the foot time and time again.
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No
Here in Minnesota there is a requirement that the case length must be 1.285 inches, except 10 mm which must be .95 inches.
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TAB, not a simple question.
1) Which 1911.
2) What caliber, remember you can have a Grizzly .50 magnum, 10mm, 45 super, .50 GI, all capable of hard heavy hits on light skinned animals, within a given distance. You can also have a 1911 in .22lr, .38spl, 9mm, .38super etc... not normally recognized as deer cartridges.
3) Why? Well maybe thats all you have, maybe you like to challenge yourself and limit yourself to more basic or inferior tools like a bowhunter, you know the limitations of yourself and your equipment and will only work within those parameters.
To answer your question:
1) YES, If the hunter is willing to work within the limitations of the cartridge and the accuracy of the particular pistol and her/his personal capabilities.
2) Best tool, no.
3) Adequate tool yes, within its limitations, remember the .45acp is meant to stop things in the 250lb range by design.
Your picture of the donkey in the well is disturbing, I hope you got it out alright. The skin looks so very loose it could be dead or very emaciated.
As for shooting ourselves in the foot, 1) RULE #1, NEVER POINT A GUN AT ANYTHING YOUR NOT COMPLETELY WILLING TO DESTROY.
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My first deer, a seven point whitetail, was taken with a standard US Army issue M1911. It was my issue weapon. Range was 25 yards at least. Ammo was standard 230 grain ball issue stuff. Dropped the deer in his tracks with one shot throught the heart. That was in 1967 at Ft. Hood, TX.
I still carry a Colt .45 Gold Cup when we follow a blood trail in the rifle zone. That's so there will only be one rifle -- it's my safety rule. But I load it with Golden Sabers or Hydroshocks, whichever I have on hand. It works very well for finishing off a downed or wounded deer.
Now, I use a Ruger No. 1 in 7x57 most often for deer. Killed more with that little rifle than anything else.
Or if I am hunting in the shotgun zone, I use an 870 deer shotgun that is so old it has a smooth bore (bought before rifle barrels on shotguns were legal), but it groups 1 oz. slugs well. I took a nice 10 point with that shotgun at Ravenna Army Ammunition Depot in 1982. But, I have gone out to my stand on occasion with one of my 1911s in .45 ACP because in Michigan that is legal to do in the shotgun zone.
Do I recommend that someone else use a .45 ACP M1911 to hunt deer? NO WAY. Will I stop? Well, I might try the XD45 next year. ;)
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Good question. I have often thought of taking a deer at close range, broadside with my 1911. I think that a good quality jacketed hollowpoint, placed correctly will do the job. Perfect for the job at hand? No, but it would do the job if the shooter will limit himself to the right shot and the right range. I always have mine with me when I am in the woods. Just have not had the right shot present itself,,,,yet. Maybe this week will change all that. I will let you know.
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I am planning on taking a deer with a 10mm 1911. I have a 200 xtp load worked up, and I am limiting myself to 30 yards or less.
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Should -no
Could - Yes
OK so why do you ask?
Jon
+1 on this. Live animals are not for 'experimentation'. Hunting is fine, I do it myself, but I make sure to use a decent caliber and take a good shot to make a clean, quick kill.
And I think that this is NOT like hunting with a tactical rifle. I have no problem with that except for proper caliber for the game. Your going to irritate a lot of people for no gain except 'bragging rights" and I don't think most people will like the bragging.
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Please explain the objections to deer hunting with a 1911.
A well placed shot of suitable caliber will penetrate vitals. The only objection can think of is that one may not get a profusely bleeding through and through shot to aid in tracking.
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Im not a hunter, but if I was I would take exception to the "not complete" remark. Dont know where your going with this? I think you can kill a deer with a pocket knife, lets do that to be "complete" hunters. ::)
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Please explain the objections to deer hunting with a 1911.
A well placed shot of suitable caliber will penetrate vitals. The only objection can think of is that one may not get a profusely bleeding through and through shot to aid in tracking.
A well shot deer does not need to be tracked. I think with a 1911 you're going to end up with a wounded deer that will EVENTUALLY die but I don't think a clean kill is a high probability. That is why the objection.
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I agree with Hazcat, But if you must make certain that you shoot be true I hope you plan on using this animal for feeding your family or some others. I live in northern Mi. and we wait all year to shoot what our license allows us to in order to supplement what wee can not afford as we can not afford to go to hunting ranches just to get a big buck we here hunt the real hunt. To eat.
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And deer shot with an arrow fall right over in their tracks and die instantly?
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Yes I have seen that happen, and any well hit deer will go no more than 50 yards. It is normally a pass through shot and easy to track as the deer is dead and bleeding copiously and doesn't even know it.
Sorry, no comparison between an instrument fashioned for hunting and on fashioned for killing people (hint, people die easier). That is why in an answer above I said I had no problem with hunting with an EBR AS LONG AS IT WAS THE PROPER CALIBER FOR THE GAME.
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The original question was a 1911, well in .460 rowland or .45 super it is definitely capable, if the original question meant a .45 acp, it really does'nt make a difference which handgun it is fired from. I have killed 2 deer with a .45acp. Waited for the correct shot and made it. Should I have done it, yes, We only get so many chances to try our skill in the field, I now know what I can do with what I brought, given it's limitations. Everything else is armchair speculation. Yes those 2 animals dropped within 10 feet. They might not have with different bullet placement. I believe in testing your skill and equipment with everything you have. Yes, if you fail in proper bullet placement, or arrow placement, the game could be lost, that is why we practice, and only take the shot that we know we can make. My personal companion is a Glock 21,,, not that I don't own very nice 1911's. It just seems that it is always with me. And because of that, has more oppurtunity to be shot in the field. It has more kills to it's credit, than any firearm I own, besides my shotguns. 2 deer, 13 raccoons, many cottontails and jackrabbits, 2 really big rattlesnakes, 3 possums and numerous squirrels. Once again, not because it is the most accurate, or powerful, but because it is with me.
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Deer shot with rifle rounds don't always drop right there either, even with perfect shot placement. My first deer was shot straight through the lungs and a shoulder blade with a .270 Winchester, and STILL ran a little ways. With any hunting weapon, know the limitations, and know how to shoot it accurately, and you'll be able to take the animal humanely, whether a .22 Short, a .30-06, or a .458 Win Mag. I knew a guy once who shot deer with a .22 short ALL THE TIME and dropped every one of them in their tracks with it.