I didn't want to take up anyone else's threads, so I will start a new one.
I have been working on a heavy bullet for 327 federal for a while now, and I think I am almost ready to try it on a live animal. The two bullets I've focused on are both customs from Accurate molds. The first I won't talk about much, as I won't be using it this fall. It is 31-140C, I just copied the SSK design, and scaled it down. I believe it would be better as a plain base with two lube grooves as it was originally intended, also the bore riding section should be .304". It shoots OK, but never wowed me. It works great in the Henry rifle though, which was my original intent. If you want maximum penetration, this is it. The second is actually two bullets, only difference is one is PB and the other GC; 31-148C and 31-148CG. I didn't model this one off any particular bullet, the whole idea though is to maximize bearing surface. The "bore ride" section is still groove diameter, but allows them to drop freely into cylinders. I got a 2 cavity mold, one design each. The plain base version should be ok, but I have had problems with the brass sizing down the bullet, even with a proper expander plug, and causing gas cutting. For this reason, I'm now going to stick with the gas check version.
The gun I've been using recently is the GP 100 5" blued. I've done nothing to the gun besides cleaning up the burrs inside, installing a 12# hammer spring (and 8# trigger return), and shooting it. It is a fantastic handgun.
I've tried wheel weight alloy and 20-1 alloy. If anything, 20-1 is more accurate. The interesting thing to note in the pictures below of expanded bullets is that the crimp groove entirely collapses. I've tried the typical magnum powders, H110 and AA #9. Best accuracy with the heavy bullets is with Blue dot, by a pretty good margin. Both consistency over the chronograph, and group size is better. AA #9 seems to be better with the lighter bullets, but seems erratic with heavy bullets. H110 is always a good choice, and can get over 1300 fps with these bullets coming out just under 150 grains. That's a lot of thump from a 5" barrel. Still, I've loaded up to 6.9 grains of Blue dot, which goes about 1165 fps with a hollow point version, and the primers are still rounded. I'll keep loading higher, but I'm already impressed.
Accuracy is as good or better than normal, at least for me. Many on here are much better shots than me, but trust me, the following targets are very good shooting for me. Both were hollow pointed with a cavity .100" deep. Shooting done on a very windy day off a paper towel roll for an arm rest, at 48 measured yards. Those are real world results, not bench rest.
Testing expansion so far has been done in both mud/clay and water. One day I tested a whole bunch in a 4 foot long tote I filled with water, and that works great. I have been using the Forester hollow pointing tool in my case trimmer with an 1/8" drill bit. The following bullets are from left to right: 150 grain with .050" deep HP (cup point), 150 grain with .200" deep HP (actual weight about 144 grain), and 120 grain SWC no HP but run about 1500 fps. All were cast of 20-1 alloy, and shot from 15 yards. That middle bullet sure looks nice, that's a text book mushroom with almost no weight lost. That wouldn't be a bad choice, but I do want to err on the side of penetration. I am certain this combo will be deadly for whitetail, but we are still talking a relatively low velocity bullet of only 144 grains. The far left bullet doesn't look impressive, but now has a flat nose of about .33", about a WFN 44 caliber bullet. That 120 grain SWC wouldn't be a bad choice either, that bullet is another Accurate, not designed by me, 31-120K.
My next testing will be with cavities .100" deep, which I think will be the sweet spot, and will also try .200" again, but this time in a Paul Harrell style meat target. Pictures to follow.