I've hunted elk and whitetail with Freedom Arms 475 Linebaugh, limiting my shot to 35 yards. This really isn't much of a limitation because I was hunting in extremely thick woods. I got no shots, and the Model 83 was sold. I have access to a T/C 454 Casull with 7.5-inch barrel, 2X scope, and "hunting" bipod. Since I consider this combination to really be a short rifle, I want to extend my limit to 135-165 yards.

Using hard cast 300-grain Saeco (#058, 454 SWC-GC) bullet that leaves the barrel at 1400-1550 ft/sec, how high is the confidence level that this bullet will penetrate "through-and-through" on elk - including one shoulder - at 135 yards? At 165 yards?

I believe you have it covered for Elk if your shot placement is good

I have no doubt what so ever. Also have no doubt you could get at least 100 feet per second more velocity from that combo.

B

Based on what?

My general practice is to not handload until things squeak. Since I'm not attempting to assure bullet's expansion, I doubt the small velocity increase available would be necessary.

Real life experience.

I used a 365gr beartooth from an 18" 45lc rifle to kill a whitetail deer, about your velocity. I hit it square on at 80 yds and it traveled the full length of the deer and lodged under the hide on the hind. A solid 30" trip through the same stuff you'll see. I'd have no fear. Don't expect gushing blood trails, but very dead elk.

H

You've shot an elk at 150+ with one?

Do tell.

smokepole,

.454's are abusive on both ends, but more so on the receiving end.

Experience of only 1 smallish bull taken at 125 yards, short answer, it should pass through from side to side. As stated above, don't expect a massive blood trail.
The one I shot was with a 300 gr cnc bullet pushed by a load of H110.
Shot was a slight angle towards me. Bullet entered just on the front edge of the shoulder and exited behind the off shoulder.
The bull traveled about another 100 yards and laid down. I waited about 5 minutes until he expired.
I equated it to the 3 elk taken with a muzzleloader at similar ranges. One with a lead maxi-ball punched right through both shoulders of a cow at 75 yards.

Confidence on that would be really high. I plugged an elk with a .44 mag and 250 grain Keith Hard cast,two shots. Both went through. Killed a bunch of deer with that load too and only recovered one bullet, after it had gone length wise through the deer....almost 5 ft. of penetration.
Be aware however that damage from hard cast at those speeds is minimal compared to a regular high speed rifle.Small hole in and out, small wound channel, takes a little longer for hydraulics to give out. Aim for bone if you get the chance.

The 454 Casull gives a 300 grn bullets about 1700 fps.

That's quite a bit slower than most 50 cal muzzel loaders shooting a 300 grn projectile.

Full penetration is not a given but using a hard cast over an expanding will improve penetration greatly.

I would use an expanding bullet myself

My Freedom Arms .454 had a 10" barrel. It pushed a 325 grain hard cast to 1,806 feet per second average.

I shot a bull twice at 200yds with a 350gr WLN @ 1600fps at muzzle.

Neither bullet exited.



I shot a bull twice at 80yds in the shoulder with the same load and one bullet exited.

Congrats JohnBurns....good kill.

Are you sure about that? I think real world velocity on a typical 80-100 grain 777 load under a 300 gn xtp (very typical load) would be right around that 1700, plus or minus a little.

Yeah? Nea?

OMG that extra 100 fps will make all the difference in the world......

I shot through a horse carcass at multiple angles with a 44 mag using lyman 429-421 Hard cast bullets penetrate like crazy.