Hunting with the Colt SAA

[Roosterman]

OK, live in Iowa and had planned to hunt with a flintlock gun but sold it and don't have a modern shotgun for slugs. So, I got to thinking about my SAA in 45LC loaded with BP. State law requires an "expandable bullet." Is lead an expandable bullet? If I have to use copper hollow points is there anything I should know about copper and BP?

[August]

Yes, there's nowhere on a copper bullet to apply lubricant -- a necessity with black powder.

You can aways drill some holes in the noses of lead bullets and call it a hollow point.  That ought to get the job done.

[Roosterman]

I figured to cover the cylinders with wonder lube, just like a C&B  revolver if I had to go with copper. Ought to work eh? I'd just as soon go with lead if it's "expandable". I would think making some home made hollow points a very doable  thing. I'm thinking 50 yards max?I ain't a bad shot at all....

[fourfingersofdeath]

pure lead with lotza loobe woul be ok! fire one into wet newsprint  and pull it out and show the man how good it expands! Either that or carry a rifle and pretend to be hunting with that!

[Cuts Crooked]

Thompson Center Maxi Hunter bullets in .45 cal are what you need to make a good BP hunting round for .45 Colt. The hollow point will make it an "expanding bullet" to comply with Iowa regs.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/247276/thompson-center-maxi-hunter-bullets-45-caliber-255-grain-lead-hollow-point-lubricated-box-of-20

Another good thing about these is: If you hunt the special late rifle season, in southern Iowa, they should function quite well in a .45 lever gun too!

[Shotgun Franklin]

They used to make a 'Hollow Point' Tool. It was kinda like a case trimmer but had a drill bit to cut the point out. To be legal you likely only need a shallow wide HP. If it were me I'd try that. I've killed some WT Deer with a SAA and the HP never seemed to make any difference in the kill.