I just inherited my grandfather's Model-94 .45.

I know lots 'n lots of people trust the M-94 for deer, but usually in .45-70 and 30-30 chamberings. I've know of a few folks who've taken Whitetails with the .45, but would any of you have a problem with using the .45 Colt for Mulies (inside 100 yds of course)?

Howdy, most people have never seen the colt loaded to it's potential in a rifle. I have a 94 legacy and have loaded hardcast 255's past 1800fps. It shoots thru 1/4" steel plate like a punch press. here is a great article .http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htmicle.good luck. Jim.

sorry, http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/45coltlevergun.htm

It kills deer and hogs from a handgun, rifles will work too :)

Hope you get a big'un!

I had a "Wrangler" I think was the name or model. It had a much thinner barrel than the present ones do. I used hot loaded 45LC on deer and it worked ok. Longest shot was not more than 75 yards. Within its limited range a 45LC will work fine, just don't strech it too far or you will spend a lot of time tracking as the pistol bullets loose velocity sorta fast.

It should work fine at the distances you mentioned, plus the whaole idea of using Grandpa's rifle, well how can one resist that!

The current big myth in the shooting press is that mulies are tough to kill. I find it fascinating that several authors reside in states that have never had this species of deer present.
Mule deer are not armor plated despite these myths. They are not difficult stalk and tend to be dumber than whitetails in responding to danger. A good hunter will fill his freezer with mule deer venison each and every year; his rifle caliber of choice is largley irrelevant. Your 45 should do okay if you do your part and watch the distance.
Good hunting to you.
TR

TR spoke with experience. I went after one the year it was allowed in my state. I wanted to optimize my chances, and knew their habits and lodged myself in a draw where I knew they wandered by every day. My pipckup was in plain view 100 yards away. Easy as taking candy from a baby. Biggest deer I ever shot, and one of my easiest hunts. I prefer whitetail hunts and meat...

It should work fine within the ranges your talking about. Mule deer are not the brightest critters in the woods. I have stopped several headlong rushes to get away by simply whistling or hollering at them. Talk about curiosity killing the cat.

Anyway Most of the places I hunt mule deer require a rifle that will kill well out to 300 yards or better. Lots of time you spot them on the next ridge over and most times shots are on the longish side.

Our mule deer population here in Idaho seems to be on the wane and this year you have a choice of a whitetail only tag with a longer season or a short season muledeer/whitetail tag.

Our mule deer do seem to run bigger than the whitetail. I find that the whitetail tast better to me though. I think it's mostly what they feed on. The mule deer that reside on the canyon breaks and eat brush and sage do not taste as good as the whitetails that lunch off the edge of the wheat fields.

Good luck on your hunt with grandpa's gun, it should be fun and a real challange with a short range cartridge. I know that bow hunters do that shortrange thing every year here.

I live in the Northeast, so no mulies here, but I'll tell ya, the 45 colt'll drop a big Whitetail in it's tracks.

Mine went about 10 steps after being hit with a 265gr keith bullet [Beartooth], launched from a Winchester Trapper 16". Bullet broke the far shoulder, just about diced the heart and left a large exit wound that bled so fast the ground was disgusting!

The 45 colt just works~

The current big myth in the shooting press is that mulies are tough to kill. I find it fascinating that several authors reside in states that have never had this species of deer present.
Mule deer are not armor plated despite these myths. They are not difficult stalk and tend to be dumber than whitetails in responding to danger. A good hunter will fill his freezer with mule deer venison each and every year; his rifle caliber of choice is largley irrelevant. Your 45 should do okay if you do your part and watch the distance.
Good hunting to you.
TR

LOL... that calls for a letter to the editor, asking why 60 million buffalo are still dead... despite being killed with sub-par ballistics. :p

The .45 Colt, in a strong rifle, is knocking on the door of black-powder .45-70 ballistics. Lighter bullets, but flatter trajectories, basically.....

The other poasters are correct-Mule deer are niot hard to kill and a 45 LC will kill them with authority!
My hunting loads carry over a 1190 ftlb of energy out to 100 yrds and just under 1000 ftlb to 150 yrds more then enough to put Mr Muley in the freezer!