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Thanks Marrakai and Checkman.

I have shot, quite literally, dozens of butcher sheep with the .45 ACP, 9x19, .357 SIG and .38 Special with FMJ and/or LRN loads. Very few HP's. Both head and body shots have been used. I have also used the .38/200, 7.62x25, .44 Mag, .44 Special, .45 Colt, .32 ACP and .22 LR with a variety of loads for stock shooting, not to mention most of the above on dogs, cats, coyotes and other vermin.

With FMJ/LRN loads in the service pistol cartridges of the first list above, I cannot see one bit of difference between any of these calibers in the reaction of the animals to the shot. If I didn't tell you which round was used I do not believe it possible for you to tell me by an observation of the critter's reaction which round was used. All are amazingly poor performers compared to a .44 Magnum, .30-30, 7.62x39 or other, even moderate, caliber "deer" rounds.

I would not use the .45 ACP with FMJ loads on any deer or other game, not because it will not kill {it will kill, just like a 9x19 will kill} but because the likelihood of a long, decidedly unpleasant and possibly unsuccessful track makes the prospect totally unappealing to me.

The .45 is an excellent service caliber because it has more-than-adequate recoil to operate typical auto pistol mechanisms, making many of the guns in which it is chambered quite reliable. It can be loaded to a high level of accuracy. When an FMJ bullet is used in the .45 ACP and it is compared to other service pistol calibers similarly handicapped, it stacks up OK, which is to say that in the company of the lame, it limps along as well as the rest...

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