Author Topic: Here we go again, cast or jacketed in my .454 for whitetail? (Read 1071 times)

Selmer · « **on:** October 17, 2003, 02:38:15 PM »

I have my .454 Casull in a 12" TC Encore, and I have two loads that would be great deer loads, one of which is a LFN GC 320 gr. bullet with 27 gr. of H110 behind it, I don't know velocity, but it groups around 1" at 100 yds, depending on how well I shoot, I use a 4x Leupold, I also have a 300 gr. XTP Mag load with 30.5 gr. of H110 behind, shoots in the same group with the 320 gr. and same point of aim at 50 and 100 yds, which would be a better deer round, or doesn't it matter because both are overkill? The 320 is cheaper to load and kicks less, the 300 gr. is a proven deer killer, which do I choose?
Selmer

myronman3 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2003, 03:09:30 PM »

Quote from: Selmer

or doesn't it matter because both are overkill? The 320 is cheaper to load and kicks less
Selmer

my :money: says you answered your own question (least wise in my mind you did).

Tony · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2003, 08:51:57 PM »

Myself I would with the 320 grain hard cast lead over the 300 grain XTP. However both will take any whitetail deer that walks, but I like a good hard cast bullet for the simple reason that I never have to worry at what velocity they will or will not expand and they always out penetrate any hollowpoint I have ever shot. Anyway when you are shooting a 45 caliber projectile, why worry about expansion when you are already putting a big hole in whatever is you are shooting.

Tony

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2003, 10:25:39 PM »

you know my opinion pal

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2003, 06:56:42 PM »

A heavy hard cast is NEVER a wrong decision but for deer I really prefer JHPs. Me I'd go with the XTP as my first choice but sure wouldn't sweat it if I had the hard cast in when the time came to pull the trigger either. I use both in my .454 Casull but usually have the JHPs when going for deer.

GB

TommyD · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2009, 02:11:19 PM »

Quote from: Selmer on October 17, 2003, 02:38:15 PM

I have my .454 Casull in a 12" TC Encore, and I have two loads that would be great deer loads, one of which is a LFN GC 320 gr. bullet with 27 gr. of H110 behind it, I don't know velocity, but it groups around 1" at 100 yds, depending on how well I shoot, I use a 4x Leupold, I also have a 300 gr. XTP Mag load with 30.5 gr. of H110 behind, shoots in the same group with the 320 gr. and same point of aim at 50 and 100 yds, which would be a better deer round, or doesn't it matter because both are overkill? The 320 is cheaper to load and kicks less, the 300 gr. is a proven deer killer, which do I choose?
Selmer

Both are overkill. I have used the 300 grain XTP downloaded to .45 Colt levels (1150 fps) and it will blow clean through a 120 pound deer broadside. I practice a lot more because hit hurts my hands less. The 320 LFNGC is a superbly accurate cast bullet. You will not be disappointed by either one if you put it in the right spot.

Tom

Ak.Hiker · « **Reply #6 on:** November 09, 2009, 07:30:08 PM »

Either load will have complete penetration on a deer. I would use the XTP on deer and save the heavy hardcast for the bigger stuff.

Terbltim · « **Reply #7 on:** November 10, 2009, 03:31:44 AM »

If either bullet is going at 1100-fps or more you won't be able to tell the difference and neither will the deer.
Any deer, any angle will be totally penetrated with bullets of 300gr or more.
Deer just aren't a tough target.
If that XTP is a non-magnum bullet it might break up in the wound channel at impacts greater than 1400-fps but the result will be the same...
you'll collect that deer, (assuming a decent hit location.)

Those non-magnum XTPs perform like varmint bullets at high velocities but they still have enough weight to make a good smack-down effect.
I say toss a coin.

irold · « **Reply #8 on:** November 10, 2009, 03:53:04 AM »

300 XTP/MAG .........regards

Mohawk · « **Reply #9 on:** November 11, 2009, 04:41:43 AM »

I wouldn't call the .454 over-kill no matter how its loaded. A non-vital hit and that deer will keep running. That said, I would use which ever load you feel the most comfortable with and the most accurate, as they will both do the job behind the shoulder.

Tonk · « **Reply #10 on:** November 11, 2009, 05:31:41 AM »

I would advise you to stay with the XTP bullet, as I have tested these bullets in several calibers. They will open up well, penetrate deep on the deer. Nothing wrong with hardcast but those XTP are no slouches when it comes to taking deer type animals.

Why I even use them in my .475 mag big bore bolt action rifle, just for plinking at a velocity of 1400fps They sure do make one heck of a large hole in a metal trash can by golly.

Selmer · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2009, 09:27:18 AM »

How this topic got dredged up from the archives I'll never know. I don't even own the .454 Casull barrel anymore, I traded it for a .357 Max. To settle the issue, I went with Lloyd Smale's 320 gr. LFNGC at 1650 fps. It had no trouble running whitetails in one side and out the other regardless of the angle shot from. I would go back to it in a heartbeat if I needed to. Issue settled.

Selmer