460 mag bullet for elk??

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

I just purchased a S&W PC 460 mag for hunting. 14 inch braked barrel. I am looking for a 300 grain bullet and a place where I can purchase them. Everyone is telling me to shoot hard cast. I have never loaded or shot them so I need some help.
Thanks for any info!!!

http://www.myhostedpics.com/images/IdahoElkHunter/460m1.jpg

[wiljen]

I shoot 460 Hammer casts out of a 45-70 BFR using H335 or IMR4198 for about 1900fps. I'd have to think that would be about the same as the 460. The bullet weighs 320gr has a large meplat and a GC. I'd say something like that is about exactly what you are looking for. This was a custom 6 cavity lee we had made recently. For a commercial design I'd look at the Lyman 452651, the RCBS 45-300-SWC, the Saeco 454, or the Lee C452-300-RF. All of these are GC designs and for the 460 velocities you'll want that. You might also look at the 300gr Jacketed rounds as you can push those harder than casts with less effort in load development. Before I get yelled at, casts can be pushed hard, it just takes more work to find a load that works well. For moderate loads, casts provide great service, for absolute, gotta wring the last 3fps outta this thing, jacketed bullets may be required.

[wiljen]

Oh and if I were looking to buy them, I'd start here:

http://www.castperformance.com/Categories.bok?category=Cast+Performance&searchpath=1097&start=17&total=105


they have 300,360 and 395 gr sized 452.

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

Oh and if I were looking to buy them, I'd start here:

http://www.castperformance.com/Categories.bok?category=Cast+Performance&searchpath=1097&start=17&total=105


they have 300,360 and 395 gr sized 452.

I think I will just go with copper. Thanks!

[Whitworth]

Idaho -- as you are well aware, elk are big and tough, so you should probably be more concerned about penetration than expansion, especially when you are already starting with a large diameter bullet that will make a big, long hole -- if it penetrates. You shouldn't dismiss hardcast flat-point bullets as they will generally do a much better job than a jacketed expanding bullet.

[jwp475]

Heavy hard cast bullets always trump the lighter/jacketed/solid copper bullets everytime

[jwp475]

This pig was taken with a Flat Point Hard Cast. Notice that the leg in missing, it pulled off while skinning

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d62/jwp475/WFN45CalWound.jpg

The idea that a jacketed or all copper bullet in a large bore revolver is better is just not the case.

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

I am interested. I emailed a bullet company and asked if he had a bullet I could drive 1800-2000 fps and his reply was

"I doubt that my BHN 22 (HT alloy) gas checked bullet can be driven that fast from a revolver without leading and poor accuracy. I have taken them to 1600 fps in a 454 Casull with good results but past that is unchartered waters. You may have to settle for something less than your goal."

I am new to cast bullets. I have never used one. How fast can they be driven? I would like something around 300 grains to hammer elk but cant see dropping the speed down to 1500-1600 fps.

[500bfrman]

Why not use Cast Performance 395 grain? Hodgdon has loading data for 1600 to 1800 for it. I think that would hurt. Does it have to be 300 grains?

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

No it does not but would like to get maximum range. But then again I have never shot an elk over 1oo yards anyways

[RANGER RICK]

What you need is a good 535 Grain WFNGC .452 Dia for that 460 .

RR

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/RANGERRICKQUIGLEY/DSC00290.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/RANGERRICKQUIGLEY/DSC00616.jpg

[Whitworth]

Dang, Ranger Rick, is that thing crew-served?!:mrgreen:

I don't know why you feel like you need more speed. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a large animal out to 150 yards or so with my .475, and it is going a sight slower than 1800 fps (1,330 to be exact). 1600 fps is pleanty fast for those ranges. I would be concerned with being able to shoot accurately at those ranges and that will require lots of practice to become comfortable with your gun and chosen load. I would go with a 360 to 400 grain bullet or so, personally.

[jwp475]

+ 1,000,000 to Whitworths responce

[snowwolfe]

I would try to go with a hardcast bullet around 400 grains for your 460. Dont get side tracked by how much velocity you want. Penetration is way more important.
The largest animals I shot with a handgun was our Alaskan moose and I was using a 454 Casull with custom made solids of only 265 grains made by Barnes Bullet Company so I think I have a little credibility in this area.
Just wait for a nice broadside shot and I bet a 400 gr HC will completely penetrate the elk.
Good luck.

[jwp475]

1100 FPS with a 525 grain WLFN and complete penetration (bullet exited) and a 1 shot kill

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d62/jwp475/parker_buffalo.jpg


The Moose and the Grizz on the left in 1988 fell to a 390 grain LFN from a 475 Linebaugh at 1350 FPS one shot each

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d62/jwp475/00000009.jpg


My best Caribou fel to a 45 Colt 310 grain LFN with a muzzle velocity of 1240 FPS at 150 yards with complete penetration (bullet exited)

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d62/jwp475/00000003.jpg

[RANGER RICK]

Nice looking critters you have there !!!!
Did you not know that you can not use hard cast for moose and bear ????
Yeah Right . I do not how many times I have had that said to me .

RR

[jwp475]

Hard cast on the large and hairy beasts are perfection..

[RANGER RICK]

Could not agree more !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RR

Black bear taken at 77 Yards at an angle right through his ticker ,back flip when hit with a 700 Grain WFNGC at a VEL of 1200 .

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/RANGERRICKQUIGLEY/BEARHUNTINGPICS008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v504/RANGERRICKQUIGLEY/BEARHUNTINGPICS005.jpg

[redneckdan]

http://www.myhostedpics.com/images/IdahoElkHunter/460m1.jpg

What in the name of all things holy is that thing!!!!!!!!!!:holysheep

[Whitworth]

That is a crew-served .460!! You guys are obviously tougher than me as you can carry a lot more handgun than I can!!

Idaho, I think you need to load up some hardcasts and get to killin'!

[jwp475]

What in the name of all things holy is that thing!!!!!!!!!!:holysheep



That is a Weapon built to resemble a Handgun in looks, but is much larger and wieghs as much as a lot of rifles..

[RANGER RICK]

That is a Weapon built to resemble a Handgun in looks, but is much larger and wieghs as much as a lot of rifles..


You are right on that one for sure !!!!!!

RR

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

I plan on loading something up. I think I did see some 395 grainers somewhere. I think I will buy bullets. I dont really have a safe place to make them myself with the grand kids and puppies getting into everything. I do have about 100 lbs of wheel weight lead if someone needs it.
Where do you guys get loading info?

Thanks for the help guys.

[Idaho_Elk_Huntr]

Oh this thing weighs in at 6.9 lbs with empty cylinder. Much lighter than my Remington APR 300 Ultra @ about 12 lbs

[Whitworth]

Oh this thing weighs in at 6.9 lbs with empty cylinder. Much lighter than my Remington APR 300 Ultra @ about 12 lbs

Dang, Idaho, my .450 Ackley (550 grain bullets at 2,200 fps -- yeehah!) weighs only 8-lbs.........

Those 395 grainers should work like a charm!

[jwp475]

The NULA's in 300 Win are lighter than 6.9 Pounds. I rest my case.

[500bfrman]

Here is where you can get some quality boolits http://www.castperformance.com/Categories.bok?category=Cast+Performance%3A45+Cal.

They have 265 grains up to 395 grains. You could just try the lighter boolits and if they lead try the heavier ones. You can get reloading data here http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

[HollandNut]

Yeah Marko , but that is on paper , as you're hidin from the smithy :mrgreen:

Need some of my 462560's in that critter ..

The Lott is only 8# too , and its a handful at 2200 .. with 500's , oH I did get 2150 with 550's Marko ..

That is a wicked lookin critter man ..

[lar45]

Ranger Rick makes some very nice HUGE bullets.
http://www.lsstuff.com/ranger-rick/

Another option is Mt. Baldy Bullets
http://www.mtbaldybullets.com/asp/products.asp
They have a few options from 270-360gns in 45 cal.

They both use my Carnauba Red lube which has been pushed to 2700 fps with no leading.

Quickload can be helpful when looking at things abit outside the norm.

[Whitworth]

Yeah Marko , but that is on paper , as you're hidin from the smithy :mrgreen:

Need some of my 462560's in that critter ..

The Lott is only 8# too , and its a handful at 2200 .. with 500's , oH I did get 2150 with 550's Marko ..

That is a wicked lookin critter man ..

Hiding from the smith? You must have me confused with a sailor.........:mrgreen: My .475 Linebaugh generates more free recoil energy than you Lott does, Jack.......oh, and my car is faster than your.......:mrgreen:

Where in God's name have you been????

[HollandNut]

Gettin old I spose , I replied in this post about this post and another post ..

Jus wekin man , werkin' ..

Headin out here in a bit , may call ya today and see what you up too ..

[leftiye]

Whitworth - Said correctly! Just carrying that thang takes a real man! Shooting it might take something else.