Big Bore Subsonic Questions?

[TheSmurf]

Hello to all  First post here. Read through many pages before bothering y'all. I'm looking to get a long range (300-400 yards) subsonic thumper. Was considering either 475 or 500 JRH. Regardless of bullet weight, preferred velocity is between 1000 and 1100 fps. Was leaning toward 50 cal so I could resize .50/70 Government bullets that should/may offer better long range accuracy?? Any input on accuracy potential vs. larger meplat designs? Also, at these low velocities, is recoil in a scoped handgun (4.3 pounds total weight) still severe enough to hamper long range accuracy?? Thank You   

[mcwoodduck]

Look at the Whisper rounds there are a few big bore versions. 
Get a copy of Cartridges of the world.  It will give you hours of "maybe this and what action could I stick that in".

[TheSmurf]

I am familiar with the Whispers. Maybe I need to reconsider them. I had given up on them because they tend to use spitzer type projectiles and I don't think I'd get any expansion from them at low velocity. Such a stable, pointy, non-expanding projectile should make a relatively small wound channel, even at .50 inch? This assumes no impact with heavy bones. Still, the Whispers have been mentioned elsewhere as well. As such, it would be foolish for me to not at least explore them further.
Thanks Again for the help 

[MePlat]

I have a 13 inch plus brake 50 Alaskan Encore that I have shot subsonic.  With 700 gr Mil-Surp bullets at 1050 recoil is still fairly  noticable because there isn't enough muzzle pressure to take advantage of the brake.
It is fun to shoot but bullet drop is quite a bit even though the 50 BMG bullet have a fairly high BC.
RL7 is a good powder to use for this cartridge.

[Ken ONeill]

The lethality of the Whispers, which are best used for subsonic application with long, heavy bullets, relies heavily on the fact they will tumble after impact, on their way through flesh, thus creating severe wounds. They are not reliant on our traditional views of "expansion". Contact JD at SSK for more insight than I can offer.
Those long heavy bullets retain velocity well, but the trajectory is quite steep, obviously.

[mcwoodduck]

I am familiar with the Whispers. Maybe I need to reconsider them. I had given up on them because they tend to use spitzer type projectiles and I don't think I'd get any expansion from them at low velocity. Such a stable, pointy, non-expanding projectile should make a relatively small wound channel, even at .50 inch? This assumes no impact with heavy bones. Still, the Whispers have been mentioned elsewhere as well. As such, it would be foolish for me to not at least explore them further.
Thanks Again for the help 

Unfortunatly the larger caliber bullets like the 338, 375, and 416 are all designed to open up at higher velocities.  Even the .425 diameter of the 404 Jeffery.  All the heavy for caliber bulets 300 to 425 grains will be blunt nosed and long.
A .454 and the soft point 458 (45-70) bullets  will open up at the slower speeds.  Just go for the heavy for caliber projectiles.
But again if you are launching a 416 diameter, 400 grain, bullet at 1100 Fps and it fails to open the long wide bullet will still drive deep into medium to large game (Deer and Hogs) and the entry would will be larger than a 243 or 257 100 -120 grain bullet opening up.
Look at the 416 Barnes as a round.  It is a 45-70 necked to 416.  Loads in Ctgs of the World are hot but can be loaded down.

[TheSmurf]

I figured there must be some tumbling involved that makes the Whispers effective. Just figured that the larger calibers would take several inches to upset. I'm showing my ignorance, I know     I'm researching them right now, though. Thanks Again for the input 
 I was really drawn to the cast option due to cost of reloading. I'd really like to put a couple thousand rounds per year downrange at various distances. Perhaps there are cast options available for the Whispers as well? Back to my hole I go for more research