extending range

[flatbed]

Happy New Year everyone..........I am fortunate to have 4 Winchester trappers in 30wcf, 357, 44 mag, and 45 Colt. I also have Rugers to mate with the three that are pistol cartridges.

In the past, I have been using the heaviest cast bullets for the 44 and 45. The 300 grainers limit the range of these guns. So.....it came to me that if I went to a bullet in the 250 grain size, that these would extend the range while still having good penetration and performance. What are your thoughts and experience with this idea ?:coffeecom

[Tatume]

If you switch to a lighter bullet you can get greater muzzle velocity, but you give up ballistic coefficient. My choice is to shoot heavy bullets for greater range and killing power.

[Jim]

Flatbed,
How much effective range are you trying to achieve?

[flatbed]

125 to 150 yards..........

[Blammer]

I can't comment on all of the calibers you shoot but I can on a few. Here goes.

For the 357mag rifle 160-180 gr boolits have been the best for me as far as down range accuracy and long range performance. I currently shoot 180gr, and anything past 100yds I'd have to know exact range because drop off is fast with the big meplats I'm shooting. If I really wanted 150 yd range I'd probably drop down to a smaller meplat in the same wt range. If I could get a more aerodynamic design and in HP I'd probably use that for 125 yd shooting.

In the 44mag a good 250gr round nose flat point will easily kill whatever you hit up to150 yds. Drop will be less than with a 300gr boolit, but there will still be some, so range and knowing your load will help a bunch.

Here are the 180gr 358's I shoot. The big meplat really slows them down fast.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Cast%20boolits%20fun/DSCN7626.jpg

Here is the 44 I'd shoot for distance and good killing power. 250gr.
Or something really close to it. I've found round flat points to be more accurate at distance than SWC's.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g81/blammer8mm/Cast%20boolits/44cal250gr.jpg

[flatbed]

Blammer..........thanks for the reply..............you are providing the info I am looking for. I will do some shooting with your recommendations and let you know the results..........Flatbed

[Jim]

I'm glad Blammer came in on this one. You can count on him to steer you straight.

[btroj]

I don't know that bullet weight makes as much difference as your ability to shoot does. I feel comfortable with iron sights on a lever action to 100 yards. Not past that. I am the limiting factor, not the bullet.
I would say try a few different weights/ styles at the range you are considering and see how it goes. This is the only real way to know. I think you will find that the small velocity gain from a lighter bullet won't make a big difference in drop. I would be far more concerned with which one groups better.
I spent many a year trying to figure out how a 45-70 could become a flat shooter to 200 yards. Finally decided it isn't possible so I learned to live with the limitations and do what I can with what I got.

[MtGun44]

The standard .44 mag load for many decades has been 240-250 gr and LOTS of game
and steel silhouettes have been killed with it at long ranges. Since a Keith design 250
will fully penetrate a deer at any angle at 1000 fps, how much more do you need?

Bill