No .45 Colt factory load we have sourced carries 1,500 ft·lb for moose past the muzzle. Here is why, load by load.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnes Pioneer 200 gr XPB | 200 | not enough | 1,190 | 177 | yes |
| Barnes Pioneer 250 gr JHP FN | 250 | wrong bullet | 1,095 | 238 | behind the shoulder only |
At least 1,500 ft·lb at impact, ideally nearer 2,000, with a bullet that stays together. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd, ≥ 85 gr. Floor used: 1,500 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.chuckhawks.com, www.nhrifleman.com.