Author Topic: 454, 45/70, 500sw 500linebaugh (Read 448 times)

steve_77 · « **on:** September 15, 2004, 10:39:34 AM »

for a while now ive been thinking of a 22" 454 casull for my encore think it would make a great hog rifle and also allow for bear and moose. I have several 45 colts, and a 454 pistol so its a logical choice - at least i thought. a friend mentined a 45/70 but since its actially .458" i would need different bullets, dies etc - started getting me thinking of well if i have to do that why not just get a 500linebaugh or 500sw - i primarily use hard cast lead - so dont really know if its worth it havent seen too myuch ballistic info on either .50's -- dont know if there would be much gain as far as takedown as compared to 395gn 454 loads - any ideas comments?

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2004, 11:09:55 AM »

I'm not sure how a 500 S&W will perform out of carbine length barrels but in the encore the 45/70 is a real powerhouse. The 50 alaskan would be another one to look into. These are the numbers on some Buffalo bore loads.

45/70
405 gr. J.F.N. (2000 fps / M.E. 3597 ft. lbs.)
350 gr. J.F.N. (2150 fps / M.E. 3427 ft. lbs.)

50 alaskan
450 gr.LFNGC (2100 fps/ M.E. 4406 ft. lbs)
450 gr.JFN bonded (2050 fps/ M.E. 4198 ft. lbs)
525 gr.WFNGC (1850 fps/ M.E. 3989 ft. lbs)
500 gr. JFN bonded (1850 fps/ M.E. 3799 ft. lbs)

I have a 24" 45/70 barrel on my encore for close to moderate range Moose hunting. They are a nice compact little package. The 500 S&W might be an interesting carbine barrel. The recoil with heavy 45/70 loads can be fairly punishing.

steve_77 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2004, 12:21:40 PM »

one reason i was second guessing the 45/70 is that i was looking for more of a pistol cartridge carbine - was curious id 454 would be enough or as you said would a .50(s&w, alaskan, linebaugh) be more in order for bear, elk and moose - granted shots taken at appropriate range - and all?

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2004, 04:57:05 PM »

If all you used were hard cast lead loads I'm sure that you would be fine with a 454 or 500 S&W. You could probably get some very impressive velosites out of a longer barrel in either of those calibers. I would just worry about jacketed pistol bullets designed for handgun velosities not holding up under the extra FPS that you would be getting out of the carbine barrel. I imagine that the 500 S&W could give the 45/70 a run for its money in a 18-20" barrel.

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #4 on:** September 18, 2004, 07:30:58 AM »

How about the .444 marlin? there is a lot more .44 bullet options out there than in .45, especially in .458 diameter... i found i never shot anything over 300 grains in my .45-70's, since there arent any big toothy critters in my area, and when i started shooting a custom .445 supermag barrel i found it would it would shoot a 300 grain bullet faster than the .45-70 did. some of the 300 grain .44s are of heavy construction so you can shoot through things like trees/mountains/small planets and should sail on through a pig without slowing down too much..

of course the .444 /.445 wont handle the big heavy bullets over 300 grains as well, so i guess it depends on how big a critter you want to go make holes in... with something that might bite back, maybe the .45-70 might have a slight edge if shooting 350 grainers or over.