Author Topic: CAST BULLETS? (Read 1307 times)

m-g Willy · « **on:** June 03, 2006, 01:36:03 AM »

Who used cast bullets for deer hunting?
What caliber and weight?
How did bullet perform? (complete penatration? expansion? wound channel size ?exit size?)
The reason for asking is because I have been using 240gr. JHP 44 cal. for years shooting clear through most deer .
But! The few deer that didnt have complete penatration didn't leave much, if any blood trail.
The recovered bullets I did retrieve were about 50-60 cal after deforming on bone.
I was thinking maybe more penetration, over expansion may be better.

thanks for any info
Willy

crawfish · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2006, 03:17:06 AM »

I started handgun hunting in 1989, My first hunting handgun was a S&W 657 (may have been the first in brought into NC). I used at that time the Sierra 210gJHP and killed a truck load of deer with. With that bullet I was having failures on BIG pigs one in particular caused me to go looking for something else. What I found was CPBT and their excellent 250g WFNGC and the same from BearTooth.
I started by loading these cast bullets to screaming levels and they worked, real thumpers at both ends of the gun. During this time I came across two little books, one by Veral Smith and the other by Marshal Stanton (BearTooth owner)dealing with all things about cast bullets. I now load to 1150-1250fps depending on the gun used. The animals don't know the difference but boy I sure do. No more beat up wrists and hands.
I have never recovered a cast bullet from an animal. I shoot at 30 or less yards, shoot to break both front shoulders. This shot placement will drop an animal usually on it's face where they will stay until death. Necropsies on the animals always show a permanent wound channel of around 1 inch using my .41 caliber load. Blood shot meat that is so prevalent when using a high speed bullet is almost non existent. There usually is evidence of bone fragment spray in the body cavity. Exit wound is usually the size of the wound channel.
Since I started hunting with handguns I have killed only ONE animal at more than my self imposed limit of 30 or less yards. It was a 67 yard broadside shot on a cow bison. The bullet did what it was designed to do with no problems.

m-g Willy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2006, 07:08:23 AM »

very interesting.
Thanks for the info Crawfish

Willy

GuntherII · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2006, 10:04:55 AM »

250 LBT LFN in .44, cast from wheelweights. When ran from 900-1400 fps they'll shoot through big northern deer from any angle. To me they act just like a .30-30 rifle in terms of how the critters act after being hit, they run a ways leaving plenty of sign and expire.

Still have'nt decided on what I'll use in the .45, probably a 300 something or other.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2006, 01:02:54 PM »

So my 336 gr WLNGC at 1200 fps should do the trick on deer, pig, bear, elk, moose, and space aliens? :grin:

Mikey · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2006, 01:17:32 AM »

Willy - I have used 160 - 200 gn swc from 357s, 240 - 300 gn swcs from 44 mag. Distance was 50 - 75 m, complete penetration and bullets not recovered. Broken shoulder bones with 44 mag; 357 busted through ribs.

The literature by Smith and Stanton should be read by anyone who shoots or wants to shoot cast bullets. It is incredibly informative. HTH. Mikey.

Jon_E · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2006, 01:46:30 AM »

Quote from: Dusty Miller

So my 336 gr WLNGC at 1200 fps should do the trick on deer, pig, bear, elk, moose, and space aliens? :grin:

Dusty you have arrived

Dang that is a hard load to beat and will work on ANY multi legged varment :toast:

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2006, 09:50:45 AM »

Crawfish,

How about a source on these two books?

HWD

Mikey · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2006, 01:39:51 AM »

huntswith dogs: Noe of the books is by Veral Smith who has his own forum here at Graybeard's. You can e-mail him to get his address and order his writings.

The other is by Marshall Stanton at Beartooth Bullets (www and .com). Both books contain some similar information but both are incredibly informative. HTH. Mikey.

m-g Willy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 07, 2006, 01:39:32 PM »

Hey , thanks for all the info guys. :-)

Willy

swampthing · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2006, 02:40:15 AM »

I will probably never shoot jacketed handgun bullets again.
3, 200lb wild boar from 20-35yds with .44 mag using LBT style 280g WFN @ 1250 fps. No recovered bullets, 1'' wound dia, all died quickly within sight of the shooter.
Although correct bullet sizing is a must, I have found that these are the most accurate bullets I've ever worked up loads for when done right. The 2 books mentioned are a must.
A custom expander plug that is no "Smaller" than .001" under bullet diameter helps imensely... in controlling crimp jumping, and, tightening groups.

SJPrice · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2006, 05:44:42 AM »

420 grain hard cast 475 Linebaugh's here. I load them to 3 levels. 850 FPS for practice and plinkin. 1,100 for deer and pigs and 1,400 for the day I get to try something more serious. I have yet to recover one of these slugs from either a deer or a pig. Seems to take a lot to stop one of these big relatively slow moving chunks of lead. I see no need to shoot jacketed slugs from my 475.

Raging480 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2006, 08:28:31 AM »

Using a 657 Mt. Gun, I shot a big bodied yearling buck last december. I loaded a 210 grain LaserCast swc over Unique for an estimated 1100 fps. Unintentionally, the shot hit him in the flank as he bounded away. The shot went in his butt about 4" to the right of the "bullseye" and came out behind the shoulder. Full pass through, stinky to field dress.
For black bear and deer out of my 657 Classic Hunter, I load the CPBT 250 grain bullet over 20 grains of Li'l Gun, but haven't used that load on game yet.