shootniron
Member
The following is an excerpted quote from John Linebaugh concerning velocity, penetration, cast bullets and effectiveness of handgun hunting rounds. In his much respectied opinion, and I concur based on my experience, hot loads are not necessary for the majority of hunting situations...1000fps will do it and that it is just a warmed up 44special load, the likes of which I hunt with and it IS very effective.
This is an excerpt from this link...http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12
Test Firearm
Bullet Weight
Velocity
Penetration wet paper
Ruger 7 1/2"
275 JSP
1,170 fps
22" no expansion
S&W 4"
275 JSP
1,040 fps
22" no expansion
S&W 4"
260 Keith
1,040 fps
20" no expansion
Notes in my loading notebook here state that the wet paper was supported or backed up by a pine log. The Ruger with it's 1,170 fps drove the 275 gr slug through 22" of wet paper and 1" of pine. The S&W 4" with 130 fps less velocity penetrated through 22" of wet paper and 1/2" of pine. For all practical purposes the same. The 260 Keith didn't penetrate quite as deep but cut a larger hole with the full caliber front band. When we tested the first .475 and .500 Maximums we gained on the average 150 fps over the standard .475 and .500 Linebaugh rounds.
In wet paper our penetration went up less than 2". Recoil went up drastically. Its a specialty sixgun for sure, and has a place, but not for average hunting conditions. I have seen my wife shoot two or three mule deer and about eight antelope now with a .45 Colt. The load she has used almost exclusively for seven years now is a 260 Keith slug at 900 fps out of a 4 3/4" Seville revolver. This will consistently shoot length ways and exit on mule deer and antelope at 100 yards.
It kills in my estimation better than a .270 or .30-06 class rifle as it acts a lot like an arrow and doesn't excite the animal. They usually show minor hit reaction and trot off 20 to 30 yards. By then they have leaked so much, they are done. No whistles or bells, just honest consistent performance.I have used this load on two antelope with exacting results. In my early hunting years I used the same 260 gr Keith at 1,400 fps. out of a dozen antelope and one mule deer I have personally taken I can't see that it stops them one bit better than the 900 fps load.
Why, well history will tell us, as Elmer said. Once you shoot completely through your intended target you've done all you can do. Sure there are bigger guns, capable of faster velocities and more energy, but I personally don't buy the theory.
This is an excerpt from this link...http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=12
Test Firearm
Bullet Weight
Velocity
Penetration wet paper
Ruger 7 1/2"
275 JSP
1,170 fps
22" no expansion
S&W 4"
275 JSP
1,040 fps
22" no expansion
S&W 4"
260 Keith
1,040 fps
20" no expansion
Notes in my loading notebook here state that the wet paper was supported or backed up by a pine log. The Ruger with it's 1,170 fps drove the 275 gr slug through 22" of wet paper and 1" of pine. The S&W 4" with 130 fps less velocity penetrated through 22" of wet paper and 1/2" of pine. For all practical purposes the same. The 260 Keith didn't penetrate quite as deep but cut a larger hole with the full caliber front band. When we tested the first .475 and .500 Maximums we gained on the average 150 fps over the standard .475 and .500 Linebaugh rounds.
In wet paper our penetration went up less than 2". Recoil went up drastically. Its a specialty sixgun for sure, and has a place, but not for average hunting conditions. I have seen my wife shoot two or three mule deer and about eight antelope now with a .45 Colt. The load she has used almost exclusively for seven years now is a 260 Keith slug at 900 fps out of a 4 3/4" Seville revolver. This will consistently shoot length ways and exit on mule deer and antelope at 100 yards.
It kills in my estimation better than a .270 or .30-06 class rifle as it acts a lot like an arrow and doesn't excite the animal. They usually show minor hit reaction and trot off 20 to 30 yards. By then they have leaked so much, they are done. No whistles or bells, just honest consistent performance.I have used this load on two antelope with exacting results. In my early hunting years I used the same 260 gr Keith at 1,400 fps. out of a dozen antelope and one mule deer I have personally taken I can't see that it stops them one bit better than the 900 fps load.
Why, well history will tell us, as Elmer said. Once you shoot completely through your intended target you've done all you can do. Sure there are bigger guns, capable of faster velocities and more energy, but I personally don't buy the theory.
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