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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,003
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,003 |
This summer, I worked up a new load for my FA .454 Casull, for a fall hunt for hogs and red deer. It uses the Hornady XTP Mag., 240 gr., ahead of 20 gr. of HS-6 powder, which gives me 1650 fps. MV out of my 10" revolver. This is maybe 250-300 fps slower than some full-power factory loads, but recoil is very manageable, and very accurate. I also loaded up Barnes and some old factory Freedom arms bullets, but got my best accuracy with the Hornadys.
Last week, I shot a red deer hind at 55 yards, behind the shoulder. She took 4 or 5 steps, and piled up. Bullet passed through, no big surprise.
A couple of days later, I made a 50 yard shot on an 80 lb. meat hog, also just behind the shoulder. It made a 10-yard run and piled up, tail over head, dead.
This is only a sample of two critters, but it's now hard to imagine using anything else for nearly all game I intend to hunt with the Casull. I also doubt I will ever again shoot, or hunt with, full-power .454 ammo!
I'd rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave....
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,335
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,335 |
Why the 45 Colt is a nice place to be.
XTP has done well for me but prefer 3-325gr WFN, i dont do a whole lot of handgun hunthing tho.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,520
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,520 |
That is an excellent, purpose-built load doing exactly what you need it to do. It don't get much better than that. HS6 is a fine middle-of-the-power-band powder and XTP's are dandy controlled-expansion hunting bullets. I've used a fair amount of both in the 45 Colt and have always been satisfied with the results.
Direct Impingement is the Fart Joke of military rifle operating systems. ⓒ
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,245
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,245 |
Nice job, I'm shooting the 270 gr Thunderheads outta my FA 454 at a lowly 1250 fps, it's so damn nice, bet inside 50 yards [my handgun range limit] the deer and pigs will be just as dead.
My old load with the Cast Performance 335 gr WFNGC bullets at 1585 fps are real hellbenders, just not fun to shoot.
Trump Won!
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
I use nothing in my Freedom Arms but the Hornady 300 gr XTP with Lil'Gun
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,203
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,203 |
For what it's worth Lilgun has a bad reputation of eroding forcing cones at .454 pressures.
Too close for irons, switching to scope...
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,300
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,300 |
That is an excellent, purpose-built load doing exactly what you need it to do. It don't get much better than that. HS6 is a fine middle-of-the-power-band powder and XTP's are dandy controlled-expansion hunting bullets. I've used a fair amount of both in the 45 Colt and have always been satisfied with the results. one wonders is a 200 grain LSWC .452 diameter bullet at 1000 FPS might politely kill a deer.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,520
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,520 |
That is an excellent, purpose-built load doing exactly what you need it to do. It don't get much better than that. HS6 is a fine middle-of-the-power-band powder and XTP's are dandy controlled-expansion hunting bullets. I've used a fair amount of both in the 45 Colt and have always been satisfied with the results. one wonders is a 200 grain LSWC .452 diameter bullet at 1000 FPS might politely kill a deer. Yes. Won't be a lightning bolt unless you break their spine, but it will poke a good hole through the heart and both sides. Meat on the ground in 10 seconds if they ain't spooked.
Last edited by SargeMO; 10/19/16.
Direct Impingement is the Fart Joke of military rifle operating systems. ⓒ
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
For what it's worth Lilgun has a bad reputation of eroding forcing cones at .454 pressures. That is what they make new barrels for
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 274 |
one wonders is a 200 grain LSWC .452 diameter bullet at 1000 FPS might politely kill a deer. "politely kill a deer"? I kill the d mn things with extreme prejudice using a 265gr SWCHP at 1,000+fps with my .45 Colt. Don
NRA Certified Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 18,300 |
the 45ACP is more polite in killin chit...
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