Velocity... does it matter?

[Dave Weiss]

Went to the Gun Show this past weekend and came home with some hard cast bullets. I shoot a 45-70, these bullets don't expand. Is there an advantage to having these bullets zing through a critter at 1700 fps vs. 1400 fps? I really don't want to load them any hotter than I need to.

>>>===> Dave

[Badnews Bob]

I don't think so I use trapdoor loads to hunt whitetails with and it knocks'em down right now and so much easier to shoot.

[gypsyman]

Killed a few deer with my cast bullets. My philosphy is, a big hole in, a little bigger one, going out. 2 hole's for the blood to exit. At 1400fps. you'll be good to 100yds or so. We keep trying peace, it usually doesn't work!!Remember(12/7/41)(9/11/01) gypsyman

[Castaway]

When you get to 40 caliber expansion isn't such a big deal.  Yes, I'll take it, but if you think about it, a 0.459" hole ffrom one side to another has a pretty good volume.  It's nearly what a 30 caliber wants to expand to and it starts out that way.  Cast pistol bullets at their relatively low velocity tend to be hard because at that speed any expansion is like pushing a parachute through the animal but they kill with authority.

[GANDER]

Are they gas checked bullets? If not then you will probably be better off running them slower.I run harcast .357( No GC ) out of my 35 rem 336 with a micro groove. They generally shoot very well unless I get them moving too fast.Then they will strip and not stabalize. About your question, I see no advantage to having them moving 300 fps faster. With the hard cast bullet you are speaking of will stop a Mack truck. No matter if its doing 1000 or 1800... You drill a 45 caliber hole thru something, expansion or not, they won't go far. I shot a whitetail doe one timewith a 200 grain hardcast out of a 41 mag handgun, at 57 steps. I hit her high in the shoulder and she literally rolled liike a bowling ball.

[Dave Weiss]

Thanks for the replies. These are gas check bullets (420gr). It had occured to me that reasonable velocity was not a factor, I just needed other opinions. Thanks again.

>>>===> Dave

[warf73]

Dave

I would shoot what ever gives you the best accuracy if its 1700 fps or 1400 fps or something in between go with accuracy.
Last time I checked a 1400fps bullet missing the critter is as affective as yell at the critter.

Accuracy accuracy accuracy, let the FPS fall were it might.


Warf

[Anduril]

I shoot & hunt with a black powder 45-70.
445 grain lead bullet at about 1200 ft per sec
more velocity gets you more recoil and a "flatter" trajectory past 100 yards.
If you think you need it, go for it; but I wouldn't worry too much about it if I was you.
..

[Black Jaque Janaviac]

My opinion is to balance accuracy, penetration, and energy transfer. 

So, you have to ask yourself what this extra 300 fps is costing you?

If the accuracy is the same, then the 300 fps is looking pretty good.

If the penetration is deeper, then the 300 fps is looking even better.

If the energy transfer is poorer, then the 300 fps isn't so great.

What were the "problems" you were having with the 1400 fps load?  Does this 1700 fps load solve those problems?  If it did, then you might consider sacrificing some energy transfer as worth the cost.  If it didn't solve whatever problem, then don't bother with the faster loads.