10mm to 45 Super in Alaska

[Alaska]

I went from a 44 Mag to the Glock 20 about 13 years ago for Bear Protection in Alaska and about 3 years ago purchased a G21 Gen 4 and set it up to handle 45 Super + P. Liked it so much it’s my primary sidearm in Bear Country the 45 Super.

 

[reflex264]

The .45 Super is certainly capable. The 255 grain hard cast loads penetrate nearly as deep as the hot 10mm and leave a bigger hole while doing it.

 

[Alaska]

The .45 Super is certainly capable. The 255 grain hard cast loads penetrate nearly as deep as the hot 10mm and leave a bigger hole while doing it.

I handload the 45 Super with a goal of only 700 FPE same as my 10mm heavy loads. For the width of the largest interior grizzly I will have no problem with enough penetration with the correct bullets. I have had excellent results with CAMPRO 250gr RNFN . Yes I like the bigger hole especially on bears. Another good bullet is the 200gr Lehigh Pent. Bullet.

 

[Joe C.]

I have a Springfield 1911 that I made 45 Super capable. I enjoy it very much. I Added a ported 6” barrel to a 5” slide. Added a recoil buffer and a heavier Wolf hammer, and went from the stock 16 lb to a 20 lb recoil spring. I’m getting 1239 fps with Underwood, 45 Super 230 grain Gold Dot loads. It’s actually nice to shoot. I’d rate recoil as a little less than a 41 Mag. It’s also easy to switch back to the 5” match barrel and stock recoil spring when not hunting with it, and using 45 ACP loads.

 

[JD338]

I have a Springfield 1911 that I made 45 Super capable. I enjoy it very much. I Added a ported 6” barrel to a 5” slide. Added a recoil buffer and a heavier Wolf hammer, and went from the stock 16 lb to a 20 lb recoil spring. I’m getting 1239 fps with Underwood, 45 Super 230 grain Gold Dot loads. It’s actually nice to shoot. I’d rate recoil as a little less than a 41 Mag. It’s also easy to switch back to the 5” match barrel and stock recoil spring when not hunting with it, and using 45 ACP loads.

.Sounds like a great set up. You've got the best of both worlds.

JD338

 

[Alaska]

I have a Springfield 1911 that I made 45 Super capable. I enjoy it very much. I Added a ported 6” barrel to a 5” slide. Added a recoil buffer and a heavier Wolf hammer, and went from the stock 16 lb to a 20 lb recoil spring. I’m getting 1239 fps with Underwood, 45 Super 230 grain Gold Dot loads. It’s actually nice to shoot. I’d rate recoil as a little less than a 41 Mag. It’s also easy to switch back to the 5” match barrel and stock recoil spring when not on hunting with it, and using 45 ACP loads.

Don’t recommend 230 GD for hunting game
Only recommend Hornady 250gr XTP or Hornady 240 MAG XTP for deer size game and hog / black bear. These bullets are designed for 45 Colt / 454 velocity levels which are closer to your 45 Super levels in velocity and will give better penetration and better weight retention for game.

 

[Joe C.]

I don’t take extended distance shots at game. It’s bowhunting ranges for me. I put one of the GD 230’s through both lungs of a Whitetail at 20 yards with exit 4-5 years ago. I agree though. If I were going for anything bigger or defense I would go with 255 grain hard casts.

 

[Alaska]

I don’t take extended distance shots at game. It’s bowhunting ranges for me. I put one of the GD 230’s through both lungs of a Whitetail at 20 yards with exit 4-5 years ago. I agree though. If I were going for anything bigger or defense I would go with 255 grain hard casts.

45 Super

-230 and 250gr Speer Gold Dot:
In the foreground is the 250gr Speer Gold Dot impacting at about 1050fps. It penetrated through 4 water jugs (estimating perhaps 12-14" of penetration). The "shrapnel" in the background was a 230gr Gold Dot impacting around 1200fps:

250gr (.452) Hornady XTP @ 1210fps:
This load penetrated 22.5" in calibrated gel and made one of the longest permanent cavities I've seen from a handgun: 1"+ wide by 11" long! This is the 1st of two 14" long Blocks. Bullet settled down to caliber size hole for the remaining 8.5" in the next block. Expanded diameter averaged about .68. Retained weight of 240gr. This is not a max load and bullet seems like it can handle some more velocity. Will bump it up to 1250-1275 and see how penetration is affected. This is a very accurate load (three shots into ~.6” at 17 yards, or about 3.5 MOA!) and not too bad in recoil.
Gel Block (top tract):
Similar results with 240 Mag XTP

 

[Alaska]

S

I don’t take extended distance shots at game. It’s bowhunting ranges for me. I put one of the GD 230’s through both lungs of a Whitetail at 20 yards with exit 4-5 years ago. I agree though. If I were going for anything bigger or defense I would go with 255 grain hard casts.

Joe Here some data for you

250s:
250gr XTP, 9.0gr Power Pistol @ 1.190":1,128 fps(38 fps ES)
250gr XTP, 9.0gr Longshot @ 1.190":1,164 fps(22 fps ES)
250gr Speer Gold Dot, 9.8gr 800x @ 1.215":1,164 fps(16 fps ES) That's 752 ft-lbs
250gr Hornady XTP, 10.5gr 800x @ 1.190": 1,206 fps (17fps ES) 807 ft-lbs
250gr XTP, 9.8gr Longshot @ 1.220":1,207 AVG - 13.97 ES - 9.89 SD
250gr XTP, 10.8gr 800X @ 1.190":1,256 fps(6 fps ES!)876 ft-lbs!
250gr XTP, 10.5gr 800X @ 1.17”: 1258fps (3 fps SD)
250gr XTP, 11.0gr 800x @ 1.190":1,266 fps(5 fps ES!) That's 890 ft-lbs
Fed 150 -WW Brass 45 ACP or Starline 45 Super brass

FYI
Brass DO not use + P brass for 45 Super loads
I like to keep my loads around the 700 FPE level in 10mm and 45 Super

 

[Joe C.]

S

Joe Here some data for you

250s:
250gr XTP, 9.0gr Power Pistol @ 1.190":1,128 fps(38 fps ES)
250gr XTP, 9.0gr Longshot @ 1.190":1,164 fps(22 fps ES)
250gr Speer Gold Dot, 9.8gr 800x @ 1.215":1,164 fps(16 fps ES) That's 752 ft-lbs
250gr Hornady XTP, 10.5gr 800x @ 1.190": 1,206 fps (17fps ES) 807 ft-lbs
250gr XTP, 9.8gr Longshot @ 1.220":1,207 AVG - 13.97 ES - 9.89 SD
250gr XTP, 10.8gr 800X @ 1.190":1,256 fps(6 fps ES!)876 ft-lbs!
250gr XTP, 10.5gr 800X @ 1.17”: 1258fps (3 fps SD)
250gr XTP, 11.0gr 800x @ 1.190":1,266 fps(5 fps ES!) That's 890 ft-lbs
Fed 150 -WW Brass 45 ACP or Starline 45 Super

FYI
Brass DO not use + P brass for 45 Super loads
I like to keep my loads around the 700 FPE level in 10mm and 45 Super

Thank you. Good information. I may have to work up a good hunting load.

 

[Alaska]

Thank you. Good information. I may have to work up a good hunting load.

If you like Speer GD suggest the 250gr .452