I have a SIGSauer P220, caliber .45 ACP with the stock iron sights. I would like to hunt with it, and not just shoot it at the range.

What do you think the kinds of game I should try hunting with it? Just small stuff, squirrels and prairie dogs? Or can I try for coyotes and foxes?

Any advice on loads: bullets, powder loads, etc.?

Also, optics? Tactics?

And, if you think it is just a bad idea, I'd like to hear that, too. Especially how come it's a bad idea and how you know it. That will help most of all.

Thanks!

Leslie Nordman

whatever you hunt it will have to be close. there will not be mucg range with the 45acp

with a hollowpoint squirrels prairedogs, coyotes foxs will all fall. i wouldnt try it on deer though some people do. maybe a faster hollopoint like the 180gr ones or something to get more shock on the small animals


propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

I will definately be in the minority of oppinion but I think that if you keep your shots within the same range as a bow hunter, you should be fine. I wouldn't take a shot past 35 yards. I would probably not take one past 20-25 yards. If you hunt from a treestand you can easily take a deer at that range. Just about any commercial load you put in it will knock a deer off his butt and kill him quickly. But like anything else, it's shot placement. you have to put your round thru the lungs for the best result. I used to unt squirrels with a Dan Wesson 357 using 38 wadcutters, doing head shots. great fun, and I often brought home my limit on squirrels. did better than I have this year with my 10/22.

I personally won't use a 45ACP for hunting. There are so many other calibers suitable for hunting.IMHO the 45 ACP is a people stopper or a paper puncher.If you do use it hunting, I would recommend keeping your shots close.It's definately not a long range round.
Ruger Redhawk

..... A Proud NRA Life Member since 1977 .....Ruger Redhawk

I beat at 20 yards or so it would put the thump on a deer! i have heard some say hit a man in the hand with a 45 and it will knock them down. i doubt that but..
I personally like a round with little more velocity .

SOUTH ARKANSAS REBEL

i dont really think he was asking about deer. and i dont believe you should hunt deer with a .45acp

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

Thank you for all your answers; they are all very helpful.

Please do not get angry at me for posting this thread in this forum, but the primary target is coyotes. I will keep in mind your posts that state I should use hollowpoints and that the maximum hunting range for a .45 ACP is 25 to 35 yards. The maximum range for spotting the coyotes is 100 yards, because of trees.

And the coyotes only come at night.

By the way, what kinds of optics would you recommend?

What tactics would you recommend? I know: "Get a rifle!" Please bear with me with this.

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Leslie Nordman

i have no idea about optics on a sig. the range i would limit to your abilty to put all the rounds in 4" group at that distance. tactics call and bait i guess, not too sure ask over at the varmit forum. as for hollowpoint its a yote not a bear hollowpoints will work, so for that matter will ball ammo. probably still choose a 230gr bullet but other than that i wish you all the luck

propmahn
save the world, reload your brass

Leslie,

I just bought a Sig P220 ST last Friday and think it's awesome.
I ordered a Desert Eagle in .44 magnum then saw the Sig and bought it for personal protection while bowhunting.
It should do fine for coyote, fox etc.
I wouldn't want to put optics on a defence gun myself. JMO.
You shouldn't need optics for close range shots anyway.


Sag.