Versatile Loads For The 45 Auto James E. House
old Nikon F2 or a vintage rangefi nder from the 1960s just for a change of pace. Part of the enjoyment of numerous activi- ties, photography being one of them, is an appreciation of the equipment involved. Some of us have even assembled rather extensive collections of such artifacts of yesteryear to satisfy our desire to do something different. For many of us, another type of satisfaction arises from
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using a device in ways that are quite different from the in- tended uses. For example, it is fun to use a programmable calculator to play games even though it was designed for crunching numbers. Certain cartridges were designed for specifi c purposes, and it is unlikely that the 50 BMG cartridge was designed with varmints in mind, but some people put it to that use. Varmint eliminators include both centerfi re and rimfi re rifl es, airguns, handguns (some of them utilizing rifl e cartridges), and bows. Varmint hunters are a mixed breed. Probably everyone who reads this magazine has read
at some point the interesting history of the development of the 45 Auto, an American classic. It was designed to dispatch varmints, the kind that can shoot back, and it has a proven track record in that application. However, it also has become a premier target round, and it fulfi lls both that and its intended roles admirably. For many people, a 45 Auto also may be a companion in various camping, hiking, and exploring situ- ations. The only other cartridge fi red in an autoloader that I like more than the 45 Auto is the 10mm Auto, and I have already dealt with its use as a varmint gun. Both are “do almost anything” handguns. But since the 45 Auto is known to deliver outstanding
accuracy in high quality autoloading pistols, why not consider it to be a short-range varmint cartridge? Would it be ridiculous to have a 45 Auto in hand when calling varmints in terrain where a typical shot might be 40-50 yards or less? I do not think so, and it is, in fact, an excellent choice for use in such situations as long as there is no danger from ricochets. Because it fi res relatively heavy bullets at low velocity, the 45 Auto will never be ricochet proof, so it should be used only in situ- ations where that is not a concern. When enjoying some time in remote areas, a 45 Auto is a practical and sensible choice as a defense tool. For that reason, it is very likely that such a walkabout handgun may be employed to dispatch varmints of opportunity. In fact, the 45 Colt Single Action has a long history of such use. When selecting a conventional handgun for general use,
I normally prefer a revolver over an autoloader. However, centerfi re autoloaders are the hottest items in the shooting world, and the selection of models has never been greater. There are full size, large frame models with 5-inch or longer barrels, and there are compact versions that are intended for concealed carry. In essence, a good 45 Auto is a do-it-all type of sidearm. My battery of 45s includes a large frame Smith & Wesson 4506 as well as a couple of smaller models,
ike most other people, I now do digital photography. However, it is still fun to pull out occasionally the
Groups such as this obtained at 25 yards show that a 45 Auto is capable of dispatching varmints at short ranges.
Three of the excellent powders for loading the 45 Auto are Alliant Unique and Power Pistol and Accurate No. 5.
Three of the excellent 185-grain bullets available in 45 caliber are (left to right) the Nosler HP, Remington Golden Saber, and Sierra HP.
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