Recommendation for .30 cal Big Game Hunting Bullet

[X-man]

Hi Veral,

I like to use my own cast bullets hunting, since I got into the hobby a few years back. I've successfully taken large Moose and Caribou with my .308 and .30-06 using the RCBS 30-180-FN bullet on more than a few occasions. I went for penetration over expansion with my alloy and have even had complete penetration and exit on a large moose. I've been very careful about bullet placement and all animals have been heart shots with one exception. That was a low lung shot. I waited about 40 minutes before starting to track the animal. I found her (1100 lb Cow Moose) about three quarters of a kilometer from where I shot. She wasn't run hard, simply laid down and bled out.

I have been reading about casting composite bullets that give both expansion and penetration. I think with "smaller" rifle calibers, say under .35 we really could use a little extra help in the expansion area. What bullet style would you recommend from your catalog or would you go with a composite soft nose/hard shank bullet?

Regards,
Sean

[Veral]

I suggest that you obtain my book Jacketed Performance with Cast Bullets, which explains in infinate detail how to get super game performanc with cast.  You may not need softnoses, and won't if you have starting velocities in the 2200 to 2400 fps range, using air cooled wheel weight metal and a heavy bullet for the caliber.  If you want more power, or intend to shoot at range exceeding 150 -200 yards, softnoses are a real asset and we make molds for that.  I reccomend our LFN or LCFN for game in calibers under 35.