My first: 460gr Mjöllnir in 45-70Govt. Pic heavy, some gore

[Bangbangman]

Warning, hunting and post mortem pics. If you are upset by such things... why are you here?!


I've been hunting here in Great Britain with a 460gr bullet that I "designed" on Mountain Mold's website, with help from the proprietor. I'm a relative novice when it comes to cast bullets (been using condom-bullets for target and hunting for years), so the help was much needed. I cast for other guns but this was my first cast boolit for hunting.

I wanted a boolit that had a large meplat, sectional density of 3 or more and wearing a gas check. I named the resulting boolit "Mjöllnir", Thor's Hammer.

Some pics of the bullet and Mold:

https://s19.postimg.org/ct7ec45hf/IMG_5772.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s19.postimg.org/xywlsyqwz/IMG_5770.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s19.postimg.org/dp1fz7wz7/1_A57_D60_D-_CC27-4891-_B107-0_FD2_E3_A2_E0_ED.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Originally, the design was based on a chamber-cast and bore-slug of JM Marlin 1895 Cowboy/Octagonal, shown here having some tailoring done (to lengthen pull and provide handy ammo):

https://s19.postimg.org/5nb1vx70j/IMG_5821.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

It shot well enough in that charming rifle (110yds):

https://s19.postimg.org/nwxrgdacj/77352_D39-_A6_AD-4_A38-8146-_D26_FBA3_E28_C4.png (https://postimages.org/)

However, I had two other JM Marlins but no Ruger No.1...

A fine example of the latter in 45-70Govt became available and, due to the vagaries of our firearms laws, the Marlin had to go (also avoiding wifely disharmony!)

This pic shows my No.1, wearing the butt-sock I made for the Marlin and a commercially made sling bearing a Celtic design representing "Mjöllnir", Thor's Hammer (this was a happy coincidence, it wasn't custom made):

https://s19.postimg.org/yvtuacnnn/IMG_5689.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Happily, the Ruger also liked the boolit, shooting better than the Marlin at the range, and in a shorter, lighter package. My boolit hardness is estimated as BHN 9.5 (Lee testing die and magnifier). It's travelling at 1800fps at the muzzle (could go faster in the Ruger but probably should be slower to reduce meat damage.)

Initially I cast at 11-12 BHN but softened the alloy for a second batch in case I am ever challenged over a UK legal issue that bullets used to hunt deer must be "designed to expand" (as if a .459 bullet with a large meplat needs to expand...)

Having put the combination through its paces at the range, I ventured out into the field. I don't know much about hunting in America but I think it's quite different in the UK, where hunting takes place on privately owned land. The deer are wild and unfenced-in, though fenced deer farms and deer parks exist. My hunting is on farmland with some densely wooded areas; the wieldy Ruger is ideal for this terrain as shots rarely exceed 150yds and it's easy to control its short length in brush. On open ground, I usually shoot off sticks at dawn and dusk.

https://s19.postimg.org/yq78yc5vn/IMG_5340.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://s19.postimg.org/u6v0cto03/IMG_5333.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

I know the scope won't be to everyone's taste but it helps me put meat on the table. I'm going to remove the elevation turret, though.

Continued...

[Bangbangman]

These are my main quarry, Fallow deer (does, in this case):

https://s19.postimg.org/lcofxgon7/IMG_7502.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://s19.postimg.org/ne3u81byb/IMG_5561.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

We have 5 other deer species in GB. Sometimes Roe deer present an opportunity on the land I usually hunt over. Some landowners also insist I shoot the foxes.

Here are some pics from successful outings with the Ruger over the last year or so.

Deer down
https://s19.postimg.org/fg08ewjwj/IMG_5338.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s19.postimg.org/gr7zndfib/IMG_5332.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Extraction of carcasses (the lazy way)
https://s19.postimg.org/q0a5xhoeb/IMG_5334.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s19.postimg.org/ktz0mg9mr/IMG_5337.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s19.postimg.org/vi2rlajlv/IMG_5336.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Two fox
https://s19.postimg.org/8d5rr9ucj/2_C5_B3_FD6-7_A77-458_A-_A8_E4-_EE29_BADDA116.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Doe
https://s19.postimg.org/4gsfv4h0z/D078_E44_A-_EC8_B-4_C52-97_D6-4_D188_E824_C3_E.jpg (https://postimages.org/)


Continued...

[Bangbangman]

I usually take a high-heart shot but if not accessible, and conditions allow (my limitations included) I'll take a head or neck shot.

Headshot with Mjöllnir (small buck)
https://s19.postimg.org/pbcekdz0z/B26256_A9-39_B0-457_D-_A094-4_CBD15_D8936_F.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Typically, heart-shot or high-heart shot Fallow will dead-run for 30-60yds, despite the sizeable hole traversing their thorax. Luckily, the blood trail is always copious:

https://s19.postimg.org/dx9fno2pv/IMG_5342.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Doesn't leave my dog much work to do, and he enjoys hunting!
https://s19.postimg.org/sys7uv6pv/IMG_5041.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://s19.postimg.org/tjkxmrb2r/87837775-_F572-4_EF7-9_EC8-5590_E14_F87_E7.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

So far, 460gr Mjöllnir has always exited, as you would expect with animals of this size. Only once have I found any bullet remnants. It was a boolit from the initial batch, cast at BHN 11-12, 1800fps at muzzle, deer at approx 110yds. My shot placement on this fallow buck was low and forward of the intended point, hitting sternum and humerus.

It made a mess of the deer (secondary bone missiles) but I only found two small pieces of lead, as shown:

Sternum, fore quarters removed:
https://s19.postimg.org/y5cycia0z/4_E02382_A-_EFDB-4_BFE-_A000-_B868_D12_B8406.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Shoulder blade, humerus and bone fragments:
https://s19.postimg.org/jre5y0dfn/1_E6_B9554-9_D47-4378-9356-16_FEBC6_CBA0_F.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Lead fragments in deer:
https://s19.postimg.org/e5rqu3hxf/D4_EB331_D-86_B4-4898-_BF88-_BA99_CBE85_DF9.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Same Lead fragments on blade:
https://s19.postimg.org/jemrruq0z/F7973757-1278-447C-B4D8-AF10A13D58DC.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Gascheck had separated:
https://s19.postimg.org/v2gtml2cz/F71_AA708-4_E52-49_F1-_A65_B-83_E5064_A840_C.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Continued...

[Bangbangman]

Some final post-mortem pics documenting Mjöllnir terminal ballistics of chest-shot Fallow deer:

Heart etc
https://s19.postimg.org/bwrph2277/7_CFECDD6-9153-49_BB-_AFFB-62_FDA7_FDCB47.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Exit
https://s19.postimg.org/ri91111ar/8_DBF47_C5-_F36_C-4_B7_B-8619-7_DC17_E2_AF594.jpg (https://postimages.org/)


What it's all about- food on the table:

https://s19.postimg.org/hnrwiwp1f/IMG_5757.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
https://s19.postimg.org/59ggv0oib/FAB26_EB4-6_DD2-4328-831_D-66_E3_F8_DEB275.jpg (https://postimages.org/)


Incidentally, this is the knife I used on several of these hunts. It's a Nessmuk-style blade (not made by me) in O1, which I have handled with some glow-in-the-dark material I found on a knife forum. Glows really well and hard to lose in the failing light.

https://s19.postimg.org/djgx1ytkz/80_D92_FC2-_AD1_B-45_C7-89_FB-_EF1023533975.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Other boolits I have cast, which I may try:

Mihec HP, 360gr, .460 (might be too explosive)
https://s19.postimg.org/nao9gdrk3/IMG_5759.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

240gr, .314 which I've been using for suppressed subsonic at .309 in .300Blackout. Might work well at higher velocity in .308Win or .303British

https://s19.postimg.org/5hqpl8pfn/IMG_9994.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

If I do, I'll post results. Might also try a slower loading of Mjöllnir.

I'm sorry this post became so long; I thought I'd share my conversion to cast boolits for hunting and got carried away.

Any advice or suggestions gratefully received.

[ammohead]

That boolit in the Marlin cowboy must have been fun to shoot. I have one and load the Gould 320gr hollow point and hold it to about 1400 fps. Still enough recoil for me. Perhaps if you slowed the 460 down a bit there might not be as much bloodshot meat.

[Thumbcocker]

Always glad to see folks hunting in the UK. thank you for posting.

[missionary5155]

Good evening and Congratulations !
Well written and documented report. For all the restrictions and rules you must observe you are doing nicely.
Shooting fox with a caliber 45 certainly will get the job done ! But I do understand the need to use what you are permitted to carry afield.
Here in Peru there are similar restrictions with ownership of firearms. But it is what some have to deal with.
Mike in Peru

[Idaho Mule]

Thanks for sharing, I love seeing success stories. I would be interested in your 240 grainer in .314 as I am a 303 fan too. No foul on packing game out with a motorized vehicle if you can. JW

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Great post! The awesome pics just kept coming!

[BarkEater]

Awesome..thanks for sharing

[woodbutcher]

[smilie=s:

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[smilie=s: Hi bangbangman.Thanks for posting.Well written and informative.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

[sukivel]

That boolit, and those Mihec boolits, look awesome!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jeff Michel]

Great write up, thanks for sharing.

[Fenring]

Awesome stuff. Those Mihec HP's!

[ripshod]

I have a question about your Ruger No.1.Did you have to lap the tight spot out of the barrel caused by the barrel band?Thanks in advance.

[Bangbangman]

I have a question about your Ruger No.1.Did you have to lap the tight spot out of the barrel caused by the barrel band?Thanks in advance.

No, though it's possible one of the previous owners did it already.

I also haven't tried the forend hangar mod.

[EMC45]

Great guns and EXCELLENT writeup! Pics are awesome too.

[Jniedbalski]

Great write up. Hunting in Missouri is the same as over there, private farm land. Most all farm land is fenced 3 foot fences. The fences doesn't stop deer or foxes at all.when I looked at your pictures the land lookes just like my back yard and where I hunt. We have state owned public conservation land also close to where I hunt that I also go to.

[Smoke4320]

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing

[Screwbolts]

Thank you for sharing! Great looking outfits and Boolit.

I agree you need to slow it down to do less Meat damage. With the size of that meplat 1500 FPS or even less should give you max DV or very close using Veril Smith"s formula.

Great shooting!

Ken

[Dan Cash]

Bangbangman, thank you for your post. That .460 bullet is a serious looking projectile. It should do for anything you ever want to hunt, anywhere in the world. Your hound looks like a mighty fine fellow too. A great combination; great rifle and great friend afield and at home.

[Bigslug]

Bangbangman, that's some gooooooood stuff there!

I think given your meplat size and shot distances, you can definitely afford to slow that bullet down some. Given your "requirement" for a softer alloy, there's a fair chance they'll group a little better too.

The most impressive display of energy transfer I've ever seen has been off the .34" meplat of the NOE .460-405RF. Our range is mostly hard-packed dry earth - usually with one-half to an inch or so of loose dirt, pebbles, bits of shattered clay pigeon, .22 brass etc... on top. When you shoot a gallon milk jug full of water with that bullet at anything over 1600 fps, it ruptures so forcefully that the loose topsoil is cleared to about 18" in all directions. Keeping that in mind. . .they're only deer, and we no longer have bison in our petunias thanks to similar rounds at only 1200-1400fps.

Glad to see you can still hunt with a rifle in the UK without excessive wetting of pants.

[500Linebaughbuck]

very nice!

it looks like my 330gr gould boolit(20:1) going around 1500fps. i took the gould boolit to around 1300fps and i took coww and just a bit of tin(12+/-bhn) and i didn't cause as much damage.

i don't know england's gun laws, but i'd take lyman #2 or a coww and i'd water quench it.

[JAC43]

Can you please provide some more specifics on your 460 gr Mjöllnir so anyone could recreate it on Dan's website? Front band width, ogive shape, Meplat to dia %, driving band width, crimp groove width etc?

[wmitty]

I see you face a similar problem as I. The game available does not quite measure up to the capability of the cartridge employed. I'm using a .375 H & H here in Texas while the game resides in Alaska. Oh, well...

[Bangbangman]

Thanks for all the ideas. Slower sounds like a plan.


Can you please provide some more specifics on your 460 gr Mjöllnir so anyone could recreate it on Dan's website? Front band width, ogive shape, Meplat to dia %, driving band width, crimp groove width etc?

Here you go:

https://s19.postimg.org/a0qg7g1r7/DD822_AB2-46_D4-4_D55-_A0_F8-281_DEFCE39_E5.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Beerd]

Bangbang,
Grate post. Those photos through your telescopic sight are very good also.

Mjöllnir? I thought that was a typo. Learned something new today.
..

[RugerFan]

Great write up and pics! Thanks for sharing.

[nekshot]

You are certainly having more fun hunting than golfing I say! Nice rig, and that knife handle is very interesting.

[Texas by God]

Great story and good shooting. There are still folks who believe cast bullets just whistle through with no damage. Nope! I love the neon knife and I have the same model of Spyderco.
Good Show Old Chap!
Thomas

[brass410]

thanks for sharing this. I have just purchased a ruger no1 in 45-70 virtually unfired (gun and a opened box of factory ammo three used ) the guy got it and didn't like the recoil, was wondering how it would do for deer/moose. This would be a good indicator of what to expect. thank you sir

[TXGunNut]

Nicely done! Interesting to see how things are done in other parts of the world.

[Friends call me Pac]

Great write up & pics.

[DW475]

Outstanding pictures and write up.

[Landy88]

That a very fine bullet and knife, being put to equally fine use.

[CITYREPO61]

As said before cool knife and great write up!

[1988-4551]

Nice rifles and nice pics sir.

[Les Staley]

Very nice write up. Thank you. That's a Mean looking bullet. I am shooting a RCBS 500 gr BPS bullet cast of COWW water dropped, powder coated. My Shilo Sharps has a 28" bbl, and 26.5 gr of 5744 move it at 1375 fps. Not much of a meplat but it holds MOA out to 300 yds. Haven't used it on game yet but it should do the job.

[35 shooter]

Nice rifle and boolit combo. Great looking country side your hunting. Thanks for the great pics.

[skeettx]

Well done, well done
Thank you for sharing
Mike

[Ramjet-SS]

I have a similar bullet from an Accurate Mould. They are Tac drivers in my 45-70 and are great performers on game.

Thank you for the great story's they are very well written.

[Edward]

I shot many deer with a Marlin 1895 and most died fast with a plain based NOE 460-350- FN /BHN 10-12 and running about 1300-1375 FPS (no need for GC) . My gun scoped is good for 200 yd with rest and never had any walk and have only found 1 boolit in deer , most just shoot thru .

[Smoke4320]

Mihec HP, 360gr, .460 (might be too explosive) around 1500-1600 FPS ..9.5-10 BHN and that bullet is a sure deer killer if put in the boiler room.. and absolutely no way can they say it will not expand

[35remington]

I see one of the foxes was a triple hit from a single shot with a strike through the jaw and an entrance and exit in the front and side of the chest. Must have been a frontal shot.

Good work, excellent pics. I know well the enjoyment you get from all of the above and appreciate the documentation of your successful hunts. I hope you have many more.

In my experience deer run a short distance after being shot with most anything and everything, and in my opinion anyone claiming all “bang flops” hasn’t shot many deer.

[HABCAN]

Thank you so much for the very finestkind posts and pics and boolit specs. My only comment, as an Alberta, Canada resident, is that compared to our local whitetails and muleys, your deer are SO SMALL, LOL! There can be no doubts that your cannon will actually kill them.:bigsmyl2:

[davidheart]

Absolutely beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing.