Author Topic: Which caliber for big, slow bullet? (Read 3042 times)

BowHunter252 · « **on:** January 25, 2009, 03:59:32 PM »

I've had a .243 Handi rifle for about 8 years and all of a sudden I have a hankerin for a .500 S&W Handi. I would like to cast some BIG bullets for it and shoot them kind of slow. Hopefully, with not too much more recoil than the .243. What would the recoil be like with a 500 - 700 gr bullet at 1000fps or slower?

I have been reading where the .500 might not be very accurate, so would a different caliber be more accurate with a slow, heavy bullet? I was thinking either a .45 LC or .44, I just want it to punch a big hole ;

I would also like to use cast bullets, so any experience with cast bullet accuracy with these calibers would be appreciated.

Thanks

billy_56081 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2009, 04:01:32 PM »

45-70

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2009, 04:06:04 PM »

Big , slow and accurate = 45/70 ,the best of all worlds , you can load a cast 405 bullet down to as slow as 750 FPS or a 525 cast to 1800 FPS .

Wild to mild and anything in between .

stimpy

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2009, 04:08:31 PM »

.45-70 of course.

burntmuch · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2009, 04:13:29 PM »

Yep What they said 45-70

burntmuch · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2009, 04:14:26 PM »

Im thinking it would be cheaper to reload for than the 500

Davemuzz · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2009, 04:15:50 PM »

Just remember......a 525 at 1800fps.......hold on and maybe check your dental plan too make sure it's current a'fore you pull the trigger.

BowHunter252 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2009, 04:25:03 PM »

So a 525gr bullet at 750 would still be pretty accurate?

Spanky · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2009, 04:52:32 PM »

45-70

Spanky

Chas. · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2009, 05:04:32 PM »

Quote from: BowHunter252 on January 25, 2009, 04:25:03 PM

So a 525gr bullet at 750 would still be pretty accurate?

That, certainly, would depend on your definition of accuracy. Just remember, when you launch a 400gr/500gr bullet, it's mass tends to keep it on course. Neither wind, nor rain, nor gloom of night....oh, wait, that's the mailman; but you get the idea.

tykempster · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2009, 05:19:19 PM »

Some people on another forum (PM for details) are shooting a 45 ACP with turned down 50 BMG 800 grain bore rider bullets. Looks really odd, would get lots of attention at the range, and is apparantly throwing the chunks of copper out at 800 fps with hardly any powder. Kind of a short range ICBM.

gatersb · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2009, 05:26:33 PM »

+1 45/70

trotterlg · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2009, 05:52:38 PM »

I have a .58 Huntsman that will throw a 560gr bullet at about 900fps. Larry

petemi · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2009, 12:25:09 AM »

.45-70 of course. Yesterday, I put a synthetic stock set on mine with 36 oz. of shot in the stock and it really dampened the recoil. I shot it to see how it felt, but haven't put it on paper yet. I'm eager to see if the forend change effected the accuracy.

Pete

MSP Ret · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2009, 01:31:49 AM »

get yourself a 45-70. It is not even a contest!!!!....<><....

and reloading it is VERY simple and easy....it really can be "handloading"...

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2009, 01:39:57 AM »

Quote from: burntmuch on January 25, 2009, 04:14:26 PM

Im thinking it would be cheaper to reload for than the 500

Nope brass bullets and everything else is cheaper for the .45-70.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2009, 01:44:28 AM »

Ya' beat me Bob!!

Quote from: burntmuch on January 25, 2009, 04:14:26 PM

I'm thinking it would be cheaper to reload for than the 500

I have both and will suggest the 45-70 as well.

Cheaper, not by a bunch. IMHO, cases for the 500 are costly, bullets are specialized and not available everywhere. Casting you own bullets would be a cheaper option, but than you have the mould costs to factor in. In contrast, just about every company that casts & sells bullets has 45-70 slugs. Same for the brass, avalible everywhere that sells brass and costs in line with all regular brass prices.

Accuracy is also better with the 45-70. Unsure why.. the barrel itself maybe. Most all of us do not get great accuracy from our 500s. All seem useable, hunting accuracy but most don't even see 2MOA, let alone touching bullets. Again, in contrast, the 45-70 is very often a MOA shooter.

Good luck,
CW

burntmuch · « **Reply #17 on:** January 26, 2009, 03:14:17 AM »

Thats what I meant. the 45-70 is cheaper. Fast fingers slow brain

rex6666 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:04:43 AM »

Quote from: burntmuch on January 26, 2009, 03:14:17 AM

Thats what I meant. the 45-70 is cheaper. Fast fingers slow brain

That is exactly what you said, the 45/70 (it) is cheaper to reload for than the 500.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:05:25 AM »

Quote from: BowHunter252 on January 25, 2009, 04:25:03 PM

So a 525gr bullet at 750 would still be pretty accurate?

I don't think accuracy would be an issue. But maybe accuracy at what distance may be the question. I mean.....the 45-70 launches the bullet on an arc. So, once you get a 500+ grain bullet to hit nicely at 100 yards, it will drop off quickly past that. So, if your going to attempt to hit a target at 150 yards, you just have to know the bullet drop and "plan accordingly". Williams target peep sights are nice for this type of shooting. Of course, if your hunting....it's really nice if you can just tell that buck to "hold on while I make these clicks on my Williams peep sight here".

When I tell my bucks "Williams" they always co-operate.

Dave

gstewart44 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:36:40 AM »

I don't know about the 500 but I have shot the 45/70 Handi a lot with BP loads during CAS matches. Velocities with a 430 cast slug ran about 950-975 fps. Recoil was negligble...more like a moderate shove. But at 100yds, a 5 shot group would consistently leave a ragged hole no larger than 1 1/2 ". I know the 45/70 can shoot better than I can becuase I saw some of the other shooters get just under MOA with their 45/70's.

petemi · « **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2009, 09:44:36 AM »

For some reason, the .45-70 Handi seems to be inherently accurate, along with the .357. I bought mine used and scoped. My first shot, praying it was sighted in, took a woodchuck sticking her head out at 80 yards. I was impressed. The more I use it the more I like it. I have since changed barrels and stocks and nothing has changed. One raggged hole at 100. I can't say enough for the rifle in this caliber. If I had to own just one gun, this would be it.

Pete

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2009, 10:42:08 AM »

How good are .44 mag Handi's? Also, can the Handi fire Marlin Lever loads? Ruger Loads?

Westbound · « **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2009, 10:48:07 AM »

The 45-70 would be the best bet for big chucks of lead and big holes.

Dixie Dude, I load mine to Levergun loads. It has been said that you can load to the Ruger #1 loads, but honestly, there aren't many that could handle that kind of recoil.
I've ventured into the mid range Levergun loads and it starts getting uncomfortable.
Once you get into the Ruger loads, with proper bullet selection, you can kill any game on the planet, if you survive the recoil

As several have stated: your shoulder will give up long before your handi!!

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2009, 11:06:07 AM »

DD the .44mag (at least mine is) is a good slow bullet slinger 240 t0 300 gr rounds work well but I really don't shoot it near as much as the .45-70 and nowhere near as much as the .357. For plinking I like plain base cast 300gr bullets in the .45-70 mosying along at about 950 or 1000 FPS just plain ole fun to shoot.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #25 on:** January 26, 2009, 11:11:15 AM »

I think my 45colt 360gr Oregon Trail cast and 1475fps is plenty big and slow good for 100yards light recoil. But then my 20gaULSH is 500gr slug at 1100fps got a pretty good wallop to it though. But it takes 45/70 to get up to 700 gr Tykster can show ya how to handle that recoil. ::)Kurt

krod47nw · « **Reply #26 on:** January 26, 2009, 11:18:43 AM »

Has anyone mentioned the 45-70 ?

cwlongshot · « **Reply #27 on:** January 26, 2009, 11:40:08 AM »

Quote from: krod47nw on January 26, 2009, 11:18:43 AM

Has anyone mentioned the 45-70 ?

LOL.... Holy cow... you right!! How could we forget that one...

Probably because Pete only posted twice here about it...

DD,
Thats twice now you have mentioned the 44Mag. It too will do what your asking. But its not as well know for its lead bullet accuracy. No at all that its uncapable of good accuracy. As a matter of fact, its a darn good one!! The 44 is best known as a top velocity, jacketed shooter. Where so many more people use the 45s as a lead chunkers.. No good reason I can think of... maybe just because both 45's and lead bullets have been around longer...

CW

CW

Ranger J · « **Reply #28 on:** January 26, 2009, 12:44:03 PM »

Both my 44 and my and my...now what was that other one...oh yeah I think it was something like 45/70 :Will shoot cast loads over Trail Boss or jacketed loads over H110 and 2400 respectively. If you start shooting Marlin loads you need to beware as to where you the bridge of your nose is in relation to your scope.

RJ

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #29 on:** January 26, 2009, 01:43:15 PM »

44 mag and 45 colt are both good rounds for the sloooow bit. You could download a 444 marlin as well. I don't think there is another round out there that is chambered in the Handi that could,

Well maybe,

don't know if anyone else will think it's a good choice, certainly not Pete

, but maybe a 45-70? DP