Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 45 caliber rifle ??

Hi guys
reloading for a bear hunt this fall looking to push a .458 400 grain slug at 2000 fps out of a lever gun I wish the bullet to expand some but it also has to retain some weight to ensure penetration. any experience here? have tried barnes 400 original flat point looking for something better.
thanks chris

Try the Woodleigh Weldcore 405gn .45/70 bullet. I load them to 2050fps using H4198.

JW

Thanks JW
I purchased a box to try. I'm surprised there are not any other thoughts. I worked up a load using barnes originals but am concerned how they may hold up. What about the barnes X series? The only problem is they are available up to 300 grain only.
Thanks Chris

Depending on the levergun wi ta tubular magazine, your only option in a Barnes might be the 300g.

My Marlin .45-70 gets North Fork 350g bullets, which are no longer available. Next best for Marlins, IMHO, is the 350g Swift A-Frame. Should be able to get around 2150fps in a 22" barrel. If you can't take whatever you're hunting with that load, I'd go to a hardcast. 460g of lead at 1800fps will penetrate most things from stem to stern.

Im kinda new to the 45-70 club,Ive got a couple of them Im messin around with,I havnt shot many of the 405s,Ive shot more of the 300 gr. JHP bullets,but I would think from my own experimentation that the 300 gr. bullet otta knock a black bear azzho over appetite...........

Given you have a45/70... 2000Ft/sec is right on the upper max for a 400-405 gr bullet.

I have a 450 alaskan built on a 71 with a 26 inch barrel. We had a bad experience once with some factory loaded federal 45-70 ammo the bullet did not perform! Most of the 458 flat nose bullets were designed for the 45-70 and its bullistics. I need to be sure the bullet will finish the task hopefully on the spot as the area I intend to hunt gets nasty fast and there is a good chance the bear will be 500+ pounds. Thanks for the input I will let you guys know how the woodleigh's perform.
Thanks Chris

I would speculate that 405 grains of lead at over 1200 fps will knock any black bear ever invented ass over tea kettle. I would worry solely about bullet placement and never even worry about performance. We've not talking about breaking bones on a cape buffalo here. That same medicine does wonders on our north American bison.

I like what my 45/70 with a 420 grain lbt-style hardcast gascheck does at 1700 fps.

My son used remington factory 45-70 405's for his bison they worked very well! I know that bullet placement is the most important factor however the bullet must perform once there! As I am not a cast shooter I do worry about performance Heck I'm already starting to think (worry) about .25 caliber bullets for pronghorn this fall I'm sure you will see a post or two on that from me, always looking to gain knowledge.
Thanks Chris

Well the woodleigh's arrived today they performed better than the barnes originals as far as holding weight. Still looking for some barnes tsx 300 grain to try as of know the woodleigh's are the best.
Thanks CTW

I'd also look into the .458" 405 grain FNSP Kodiak Super Premium Bonded Core bullets from Alaskan Bullet Works. Or even the 350 grain with the heavy jacket.

http://www.custombrassandbullets.com/albuwo.html

Well new test this eve. I found a box of 20 barnes tsx 300 grain these are interesting. Here is the test 50 yards, 5 pail full of water and an earth back stop. Two were tested the barnes 300 and the woodleigh 405 weld core. Both out of a 26" bbl and fed 59 grains of IMR 3031 the 405 should be about 2000 fps and the 300 I have no idea as I have no chronograph. Picts show both slugs after digging them out of the bank, Both did very well I think wondering your thoughts?
thanks chris

There's no question that the 405-grain will give better penetration if it's a 500-pounder, the angle is poor and heavy bone is hit. IMO, you also want an exit for the sake of blood letting. Heavy bears carry a lot of fat in the fall - up to 4 inches and this will close up an entrance wound and even an exit wound of a smaller caliber than your choice.

I've shot several bears with .458" slugs from 400-grain jacketed to 465-grain hardcast. I'd go with the heavier bullet every time. Now that you have the 405gr Woodleigh, go with it! Otherwise I'd recommend the plain-jane 405 Remington. I've used it at 2100 fps on bear and you won't find them. They will pass thru a bear from almost any angle. But, as already stated above, a heavy hardcast will do the same. My last bear was shot with a 465-grain hardcast at 1900 fps from a NEF 45-70 and it was flattened in its tracks.

Right now I'm loaded for bear with the 350gr TSX in .458" in my Ruger No.1, 45-70 Improved at 2400 fps and my CZ550 in 458 Win at 2700+fps.