Old Remmy Sluggers

[dhom]

I am loading 45 Colt [Ruger Only] loads to try and match the whitetail killing ability of the old REM SLUGGERS. I am using a GC 315gr WFN cast at 20:1. the load is 13 gr HS-6 and a Fed Mag primer. These loads are shot from a RBH 5 1/2" and 7 1/2' barrels. These loads shoot cloverleafs at 25 yds from both revolvers. I chrono'd the 5 1/2" barrel at 1050 fps. I believe I will get expansion and have enough bullet weight to carry it through a whitetail. I would like to get some opinions from folks who have shot with similar conditions? good or bad

[JBinMN]

I have used the sluggers in the past to take Wtails in 12ga. & they worked fine, so if you can get your pistol to shoot something reasonably close to the same data,( and you are with what data ya supplied.) I don't see why they would not work. I do not have your pistols, nor have I fired the same boolits, but I am going to try to help out if I can anyway, for the sake of trying.
;)

If not, well, You can ignore my post.
LOL
:)

I think you should be close & do fine with what ya have already, but if you are not limited by any restrictions or loss of accuracy, you might try speeding up your load just a bit to match closer to the Sluggers data.

Here is a chart with ballistics of the Slugger from the website:
https://images.remington-catalog.com/573cd24177416

437.5 being gr. in an ounce, & your bullet at 315gr is approx. the same +/- as the data for the 16ga slugger (SP16RS) at 4/5oz weight in the table. With a difference being that the Slugger is traveling at 1175fps @ 50yds., according to the chart, where yours is, (using your offered velocity data) 1050fps@50 yds. If the little bit longer bbl. in the other pistol has even more velocity with the same load, then you might already be there with that 7-1/2in. one.

I would still think you would be just fine at the speed it(5-1/2) is now, and should certainly be adequate for a Wtail if ya hit it in the "boiler room" area. Certainly a head shot. If it were me, I would likely use what ya have, even if there is no room to up the velocity without sacrificing accuracy.
:)

It is certainly possible that someone here shoots the same setup you describe, but if not...
Hope that my post helped, & G'Luck!
:)

[dhom]

JB.....I appreciate your input! I haven't chrono'd the 12 gauge slug but I believe they used to be rated 1300fps. [2 3/4"] I am talking about the KMart $0.99 @ box for five. They used to go on sale every year right before hunting season. But, that's not the reason I settled on my set up. I believe the Sluggers were pure lead. [5-6BHN] I am using 10 BHN and hoping I can get significant expansion if I hit broadside or if I hit shoulder I am hoping the bullet will still retain enough weight for penetration. [that's one reason I am using a 315 gr bullet] Moving up the load to get approx. 1300 fps is probably a good idea. I am right on the edge of hunting season here in Pa. so I stopped right there because the load grouped so well in both revolvers. I hope some others will chime in about there experience.

[bisleyfan41]

You gotta remember the Sluggers have a huge hollow base which helps them flatten out on game (as in it's basically a lead cup flying base first). I doubt you'll get that much expansion from a solid base bullet. Your load will certainly kill deer, but it's no shotgun slug with regards to construction, expansion, or the Sluggers legendary DRT capability.

[dhom]

You gotta remember the Sluggers have a huge hollow base which helps them flatten out on game (as in it's basically a lead cup flying base first). I doubt you'll get that much expansion from a solid base bullet. Your load will certainly kill deer, but it's no shotgun slug with regards to construction, expansion, or the Sluggers legendary DRT capability. So, basically should I still shoot for the shoulder?

[JBinMN]

That is where I would shoot. the "boiler room". (heart, lungs, liver). I have shot a lot of deer & that is where I aim & take them. Both firearm & arrow. If you are confident in your shooting ability & your firearm, then of course you could go for a head or neck(CNS) shot also. But the target area is much smaller & thus changes your odds a bit IMO.

BTW, speaking of using an arrow. They do not expand either. Their twisting motion with a broadhead does most of the work. Cutting rather than "punching". They are traveling slower than your loads by about roughly 2/3rds. Your boolit will be causing at least as much damage if you hit the boiler room. If you hit a rib or part of the shoulder, your bullet should either flatten or fragment, depending on your alloy used. Either way, if it hits any bone, they cause damage also.

I think you are getting over concerned, but of course, that is "my" opinion.

Go out & have fun! I think you will do just fine with either pistol. People around here hunt with 44 Rem mag and 240gr. bullets quite a bit & have no issue dropping whitetails. ( I have myself) Your pistols with a 310 should have no trouble either in 45 Colt.

You can go look up the projectile weight, the velocity & distance & use a formula( I think there is one here at CB, but you can google to get the formula) to figure out what momentum force is applied for your setup at impact(Ft/lbs IIRC) & compare it to other setups also. I have heard some folks say that any projectile that travels 100 yds & still goes thru a piece of 3 ply plywood will have the force to kill a man. I reckon that would be the same for a deer, although they are some tough animals. I have no doubt your setup will be just fine for them. Here is just one calculator to try. I punched in your data & it was equal to a 44Rem Mag. w/240gr, , BTW. http://www.handloads.com/calc/quick.asp
:)

G'luck! Bring home some meat for the meat pole.
:)

[P.S. - I go out with my oldest in a week for our deer opener. We are in a Shotgun zone. We can use pistols over .357 or muzzle loaders also, but we are still just going to use shotguns. Using the slug shells I reloaded with Lee 1oz slugs I cast also.. ;) ]

[dhom]

That is where I would shoot. the "boiler room". (heart, lungs, liver). I have shot a lot of deer & that is where I aim & take them. Both firearm & arrow. If you are confident in your shooting ability & your firearm, then of course you could go for a head or neck(CNS) shot also. But the target area is much smaller & thus changes your odds a bit IMO.

BTW, speaking of using an arrow. They do not expand either. Their twisting motion with a broadhead does most of the work. Cutting rather than "punching". They are traveling slower than your loads by about roughly 2/3rds. Your boolit will be causing at least as much damage if you hit the boiler room. If you hit a rib or part of the shoulder, your bullet should either flatten or fragment, depending on your alloy used. Either way, if it hits any bone, they cause damage also.

I think you are getting over concerned, but of course, that is "my" opinion.

Go out & have fun! I think you will do just fine with either pistol. People around here hunt with 44 Rem mag and 240gr. bullets quite a bit & have no issue dropping whitetails. ( I have myself) Your pistols with a 310 should have no trouble either in 45 Colt.

You can go look up the projectile weight, the velocity & distance & use a formula( I think there is one here at CB, but you can google to get the formula) to figure out what momentum force is applied for your setup at impact(Ft/lbs IIRC) & compare it to other setups also. I have heard some folks say that any projectile that travels 100 yds & still goes thru a piece of 3 ply plywood will have the force to kill a man. I reckon that would be the same for a deer, although they are some tough animals. I have no doubt your setup will be just fine for them. Here is just one calculator to try. I punched in your data & it was equal to a 44Rem Mag. w/240gr, , BTW. http://www.handloads.com/calc/quick.asp
:)

G'luck! Bring home some meat for the meat pole.
:)

[P.S. - I go out with my oldest in a week for our deer opener. We are in a Shotgun zone. We can use pistols over .357 or muzzle loaders also, but we are still just going to use shotguns. Using the slug shells I reloaded with Lee 1oz slugs I cast also.. ;) ] I have shot deer and elk with revolvers but, I have used hardcast WFN [22 BHN usually] and most have been in the 1250-1350fps range. The bullets performed as expected with a 2-2 1/2" wound channel straight through. No problem killing them. I guess I am just trying to get a little more "explosive results". Love revolver hunting as much as bow hunting. Actually they are pretty close.

[JBinMN]

Well, I guess I was "preaching to the choir" , as they say. In the interest of trying to help.
LOL :)

Well, Like I said, "G'luck!", & please share some pics & tell how things work out, if ya can!
:)

[dhom]

As I was saying I appreciate all your input. I just thought I should clarify that I do have experience with handguns. Cast Boolits forum, I thought I would get a lot of responses from people using "lead" that would relate their experience with this type of loading. Maybe even some pictures. I have been loading and shooting cast since the 70's but, there is always more to learn. Semper Fi

[JBinMN]

Semper Fi!
:)

:drinks:

[Drm50]

I have killed a lot of deer with Rem 12 sluggers. Hopefully never have to shoot another one since
Ohio got rifles now. For my 45 Colt, a M25 S&W I use same 20:1 mix and 250gr RNFP. I'm had
good results on deer and this is only a 820fps load. I only shoot deer at 50yds Max with handgun.
I really don't think you can duplicate a 12g slug with a 45 Colt but you can kill them just as dead
with no problem.

[dhom]

I have killed a lot of deer with Rem 12 sluggers. Hopefully never have to shoot another one since
Ohio got rifles now. For my 45 Colt, a M25 S&W I use same 20:1 mix and 250gr RNFP. I'm had
good results on deer and this is only a 820fps load. I only shoot deer at 50yds Max with handgun.
I really don't think you can duplicate a 12g slug with a 45 Colt but you can kill them just as dead
with no problem.

I am guessing you are getting some expansion with that load? Does the bullet exit? Do you see noticeable impact on the shot?