Heavy Bullets ??

[randyf]

I did a search but didn't come up with anything..........

Has anyone worked up some loads using 325gr. - 500gr. bullets? The most I have loaded has been the 300 gr SST bullets.
I was just wondering how some of the heavy weights performed in the 450.

I know for the heavy weights you need to resize .458 bullets.
Also some velocity and energy numbers would be nice!

[Texas Sheepdawg]

Do a search on "Barnes Busters"

[wildcatter]

Yeah, Barnes Busters, are excellent Dangerous Game Bullets (Though expensive, however, on an Alaskan Big-Game Hunt, they'd be my first choice.). Made with hard lead core and .060" jackets (normal bullets are made with soft to mildly hard cores (not usually more than 3% antimony) and .010"+- jackets), with a flat point, as per my instructions. They are 325gr and .452" dia. But, I've seen everything up to and including 700gr .452" bullets, out there..

..t

[randyf]

I did a search but didn't come up with anything..........

Has anyone worked up some loads using 325gr. - 500gr. bullets? The most I have loaded has been the 300 gr SST bullets.
I was just wondering how some of the heavy weights performed in the 450.

I know for the heavy weights you need to resize .458 bullets.
Also some velocity and energy numbers would be nice!

I was looking for some loadind info and personal experience with something like this:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/169177 ... roductDesc

or this: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/633227 ... roductDesc

[Siringo]

Randy -- I have loaded 325 FXT's, heavy cast bullets and 400 grain speers and 405 grain Remingtons.

There should be posts on the 325 tests. I can't speculate on the charges of powder that I used (it was LG though), but my velocity was 1800 fps. Same as shooting this same bullet in Hornady's factory load out of an 18 inch 45-70.

Cast bullet performance was so-so. Problem is the short gas check. They need checks at least .10 to .125 inches tall.

The 400's presented some additional problems. First, since the velocity is slower than the factory bullets (which the system is balanced for) I was getting rim tearing/bending. I switched to a tubbs heavy buffer system and used an H3 (5.0 oz) buffer and this seemed to alleviate the problem My velocities were in the 1500 fps range. Accuracy was 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches. Note that they twist in the 450 is marginal for long heavy bullets. Typical 45-70 twists are 1-22. The 450 is 1-24. Match 45-70's are generally 1-18.

The 350's you listed are for 1800 fps or faster (according to Hornady). They may not expand reliably at the 450 velocities, which I would estimate at 1600 to 1700 fps.

If your looking for a good short range heavy bullet --- try the Remington -- if you can find them. They are designed to 45-70 trapdoor velocities and should blow a good hole thru a deer. They also size much easier. The Speers and Hornadys are tough and you will need a very strong press!!!I am going to play around with the 400's this winter --- trying VV120 powder. LG may be too fast for such a heavy bullet.

ALSO --- CHECK THE KNOWLEDGE BASE ON THIS SITE. THERE ARE LOADS LISTED FOR THE 400'S.

[randyf]

Randy -- I have loaded 325 FXT's, heavy cast bullets and 400 grain speers and 405 grain Remingtons.

There should be posts on the 325 tests. I can't speculate on the charges of powder that I used (it was LG though), but my velocity was 1800 fps. Same as shooting this same bullet in Hornady's factory load out of an 18 inch 45-70.

Cast bullet performance was so-so. Problem is the short gas check. They need checks at least .10 to .125 inches tall.

The 400's presented some additional problems. First, since the velocity is slower than the factory bullets (which the system is balanced for) I was getting rim tearing/bending. I switched to a tubbs heavy buffer system and used an H3 (5.0 oz) buffer and this seemed to alleviate the problem My velocities were in the 1500 fps range. Accuracy was 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches. Note that they twist in the 450 is marginal for long heavy bullets. Typical 45-70 twists are 1-22. The 450 is 1-24. Match 45-70's are generally 1-18.

The 350's you listed are for 1800 fps or faster (according to Hornady). They may not expand reliably at the 450 velocities, which I would estimate at 1600 to 1700 fps.

If your looking for a good short range heavy bullet --- try the Remington -- if you can find them. They are designed to 45-70 trapdoor velocities and should blow a good hole thru a deer. They also size much easier. The Speers and Hornadys are tough and you will need a very strong press!!!I am going to play around with the 400's this winter --- trying VV120 powder. LG may be too fast for such a heavy bullet.

ALSO --- CHECK THE KNOWLEDGE BASE ON THIS SITE. THERE ARE LOADS LISTED FOR THE 400'S.

Siringo...thanks for the info........I'm not too interested in expansion, heck I've already got a 45 caliber bullet.

I was think more about penetration, thus the hard cast 395gr gas check bullet or the 350gr. jacketed round nose.....something for large hogs, black bear, maybe even moose.

I'm also thinking LG is too fast for these loads.........any other powder suggestions?

[Siringo]

Randy --- if you do not care about expansion ---- then a wide nose would be in order. I too really wanted to use the hardcast lead bullet, but had issues with the gas check. I recently acquired QuickLOAD and have been playing around with another wildcat cartridge. Somethings work out and others don't with it. With heavy weight bullets, VV120 comes up. Velocity with 400's will still be in the 1500 fps range.

Maybe others can pip in here with actual data for loading heavy cast bullets.

BD1 WHERE ARE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Al in Mi]

I'll chime with Catter, Barnes Buster over a dose of 1680.

[commander faschisto]

I've been fiddling around with the same thing as Al in MI...Buster 325s and A1680, and I admit to being a total noob at this, but they sure seem to be close to the ultimate Bang-Flop load.

Been meaning to enquire of WildCatter as to how he got his 325gr/A1680 loads up around 2100fps...I suspect one has to have the Bushmaster 20" upper; plug the original gas port; activate the faux rifle-length gas port/block shipped on the Bushy 20" uppers; and mess with the BCG timing... Then again, what do I know....really.

Any legally-expressible help WC?

[Siringo]

I've been fiddling around with the same thing as Al in MI...Buster 325s and A1680, and I admit to being a total noob at this, but they sure seem to be close to the ultimate Bang-Flop load.

Been meaning to enquire of WildCatter as to how he got his 325gr/A1680 loads up around 2100fps...I suspect one has to have the Bushmaster 20" upper; plug the original gas port; activate the faux rifle-length gas port/block shipped on the Bushy 20" uppers; and mess with the BCG timing... Then again, what do I know....really.

Any legally-expressible help WC?

What Overall Length are you using with that bullet?