I have a s&w modle 625 mtn gun in 45 colt and am wanting to take a deer with it my shots would be 30 yards or less and I'm wondering a factory load to use. Being as it's not +p rated I'm limited on loads. I was looking at useing remington 225 gr swc that are going 960 fps will these be ok. Any others? Any advice is appreciated

That load is less than half the ft-lb of energy most hunters consider acceptable for deer hunting.

A properly handloaded (and "souped" up) .45 Colt is much like a .44 Magnum....possibly a bit more and is well suited for the task.

I'm not sure about the S&W revolver so maybe someone else can comment on it's ability to handle "souped up" loads. I suspect it is adequate.....but not sure at all.

If you must hunt with factory loads.....I'd leave the gun home and take something more suited.

He's trying to kill a deer at 30 yards. Did you miss the "deer at 30 yards" part?

No I didn't.....450 ft-lbs is all he has......and even at 30 yards I'd leave the gun home!.....unless it can be loaded to higher levels.

One might also check the laws in his state.....this is not a legal cartridge in some states I've hunted...

You have to kidding, right???? That bullet will kill a deer as dead as a deer can get at 30 yards.

OK....so where do you draw the line?....a .38 Special?....a .32 H&R?.....a 9mm Luger?...maybe a .22 LR...where?

And BTW.....is the factory loaded .45 Colt legal for deer hunting in Colorado?

looking on buffalo bores website i see a +p load advertised at 1325 fps with a 325 grain bullet. thats about the same velocity my nephew sends 300 grain sst's from his lyman buskstalker (about 1400 fps average through my chrony). it is a reduced load since hes still about young but he has taken 2 small bucks at under 50 yards and i witnessed both go down. so a +p load will kill and it can do it will IF the bullet is placed well. in general i think i am siding with vapodog, it will kill but its not anywhere near my first choice if theres a option.

I'd have to check the regs but I would bet it is. I bought a 45 LC a while back and had planned on hunting with it but never did. I'm almost positive I checked the regs then but I could be wrong. I'd bet money that I'm right.

Have you ever shot a 45 long colt? I'm not saying it is a destroyer but it is very effective. There is a lot to be said for a big hunk of lead at those speeds.

The OP didn't ask about first choice. He asked if his gun will work to kill a deer at 30 yards. And it will, very effectively.

That's close to 1300 ft-lb....quite a step up from the standard factory load.

I have a M-92 in .25-20 and I know for a fact that it'll kill deer....My father proved it back in 1932 but it only generates 650 ft-lb energy and is not a legal weapon in most states.....so it stays home.