CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Why would I need a 300gr to kill deer??? A 250gr at 1400fps will shoot fairly flat out to 120yds.
If a .44 doesn't exit, you're using the wrong bullet.
Big-Bore Wheel Gun
- Thread starter Charley C
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"A 250gr at 1400fps will shoot fairly flat out to 120yds."
You originally said 125 yards.
Using 240 gr at 1,400 (.17 bc), sighted 1" high at 50
2.6" low at 100
6.9" low at 125
Same bullet at 1,700, same 1" high at 50
.9" low at 100
3.5" low at 125
For my purposes, it is when shooting at unkown ranges between 80-125 yards that the extra velocity is most advantageous.
You originally said 125 yards.
Using 240 gr at 1,400 (.17 bc), sighted 1" high at 50
2.6" low at 100
6.9" low at 125
Same bullet at 1,700, same 1" high at 50
.9" low at 100
3.5" low at 125
For my purposes, it is when shooting at unkown ranges between 80-125 yards that the extra velocity is most advantageous.
TimSr
Member
1989 -Both shoulders- 300lb 300gr 454 Casull at 75 yards. My .44 Magnum wouldn't do that.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Oh no, FIVE WHOLE YARDS!!! 
Sighted dead on at 100yds, you're 2" high at 50yds and 4" low at 125yds.
So again, all the .454 and .460 gain you is range and that doesn't really come into play under 125yds.
Sighted dead on at 100yds, you're 2" high at 50yds and 4" low at 125yds.
And what does that gain you? For one thing, it gets you ear-splitting pressures 55-65,000psi vs 36,000psi and all the associated recoil. Most the folks I know would rather shoot full loads in the .475 (430gr at 1350fps) than full loads in the .454 with much lighter bullets at higher velocities.
So again, all the .454 and .460 gain you is range and that doesn't really come into play under 125yds.
With what bullet??? Like I already said, if you think it won't do that, you're using the wrong bullet.
I'm with CraigC on this one, the above statement is just silly. A properly loaded .44 mag will easily do what your .454 did. Read post #3 here http://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...t-Handgun-Hunting-Bullet-For-The-44-Mag-44Spl
Even a .41 Magnum will sail through both shoulders of an elk at 50 yards, I posted a link to that in the .41 associates thread. The same hunter that bagged that elk used a 230gr Keith SWC to down a moose. The shot was straight on at 70 something yards. The bullet didn't exit however it drove deep enough that it destroyed the liver. So between the shoulder blades through the brisket through the liver never to be found that is well over 3 feet of penetration, possibly 4. That is more than enough performance to fully penetrate a broad side shot on a black bear, elk, and moose.
Here is the thread about the elk that I eluded to in my last post, and that is with only a Lil' Ol .41 magnum. And we all know that the .41 magnum isn't much good for anything bigger than your average house fly
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=69822&highlight=magnum
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=69822&highlight=magnum
dickydalton
Member
I've shot 3 deer with 44 Magnum revolvers. Not once did I shoot at the shoulders and ruin all that meat. 1 neck shot and 1 head shot DRT. 1 through the ribs and straight through the heart, ran 30 yards. But, I'm still glad I own a 460XVR!
Oh no, FIVE WHOLE YARDS!!!
Sighted dead on at 100yds, you're 2" high at 50yds and 4" low at 125yds.
And what does that gain you? For one thing, it gets you ear-splitting pressures 55-65,000psi vs 36,000psi and all the associated recoil. Most the folks I know would rather shoot full loads in the .475 (430gr at 1350fps) than full loads in the .454 with much lighter bullets at higher velocities.
So again, all the .454 and .460 gain you is range and that doesn't really come into play under 125yds...
I'd rather have it closer to zero for the more common 50 yd range. Seems easier to hit something smaller than a deer. I also favor 1.5" verses 3" at 100 for rifles...guess we'll just disagree.
1,700 fps isn't a full load in the 454 and I wear muffs because they all seem loud to my ear.
You can keep your 430 at 1350 fps load...I like them at 1,100 - 1,200. They kill just fine, but the trajectory doesn't compare.
dakota1911
Member
Yes, the 45-70 has been around for a long time.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
And you don't need insane pressures/velocities to get it!
22-rimfire
Member
Fantastic discussion on big bores and I define big bores as anything equal to or larger than a 41 magnum from a handgun. No, 357 mag is not a big bore to me.
There have been so many useful comments in this thread that I think it out to be re-titled so that people can find it more easily.
To start off, I also think the 45-70 from a BFR is a bit silly regardless of the cost of ammunition. That doesn't mean it would not be an effective hunting round or just plain fun to shoot (some )
That's just about perfect and easily handled even without the aid of optics. Hmm... optics..... You know, I don't know about you all, but shooting a handgun at 125 yds with iron sights is just sort of like aiming a regular barreled and sighted shotgun (bead) at 50 yds. It lacks precision to me. But one might feel they are getting precision from their scoped or red dot/laser device, but the reality is different. What the sights do is make aiming easier and helps to build a little confidence for the shooter.
However, in practical terms, if you can hit a 6" paper plate at 100 yds with a handgun with some regularity, it is plenty of precision for larger game hunting and the 2" high and 4" low works well with that perspective.
Choosing a big bore? I have not shot X-frames beyond a few shots at the range where someone let me shoot their's and I let them shoot mine. Love the concept of the 500 S&W as it is still a "handgun" and not a hand rifle. Choosing should be based on your experience and objectives. My objective with a handgun for deer hunting is the ability to break bones such as with a shoulder shot. That's why I tend to not want a 357 mag for deer hunting. However my experience is lacking with the 357 mag as I went quickly to 41 mag for hunting and pretty much didn't shoot 357's for years after that. Plus I like the 41 mag a lot better and so it's a case of why bother?
Added: I suspect solids from a 357 would break bones.
As many here know, I am a 41 mag guy and bumped up to 480 Ruger a number of years ago for deer hunting (or whatever big game hunting I might do). Like it and it's plenty of everything... practical power, manageable recoil, accuracy and so forth and all the things I look for in a big game revolver. That said, the platform matters and I have found the BFR in 480 to be a lot more comfortable to shoot than my SRH. (Would love to own a Freedom Arms SA in that caliber.) That is for the OP and looking at the 45-70 BFR..... Comfortable to shoot is where the X-frames come into play.
Comfortable to shoot.... I know most of us like our S&W M29's and M57's, but they really aren't comfortable to shoot with full power loads, ya know. But they are fun. Craig mentioned a 4" M29/629 as beating you up... I agree. Even the 4" is a big heavy on the belt for me.
There really are a lot of good tidbits in this thread for the budding big bore handgun hunter.
There have been so many useful comments in this thread that I think it out to be re-titled so that people can find it more easily.
To start off, I also think the 45-70 from a BFR is a bit silly regardless of the cost of ammunition. That doesn't mean it would not be an effective hunting round or just plain fun to shoot (some
)That's just about perfect and easily handled even without the aid of optics. Hmm... optics..... You know, I don't know about you all, but shooting a handgun at 125 yds with iron sights is just sort of like aiming a regular barreled and sighted shotgun (bead) at 50 yds. It lacks precision to me. But one might feel they are getting precision from their scoped or red dot/laser device, but the reality is different. What the sights do is make aiming easier and helps to build a little confidence for the shooter.
However, in practical terms, if you can hit a 6" paper plate at 100 yds with a handgun with some regularity, it is plenty of precision for larger game hunting and the 2" high and 4" low works well with that perspective.
Choosing a big bore? I have not shot X-frames beyond a few shots at the range where someone let me shoot their's and I let them shoot mine. Love the concept of the 500 S&W as it is still a "handgun" and not a hand rifle. Choosing should be based on your experience and objectives. My objective with a handgun for deer hunting is the ability to break bones such as with a shoulder shot. That's why I tend to not want a 357 mag for deer hunting. However my experience is lacking with the 357 mag as I went quickly to 41 mag for hunting and pretty much didn't shoot 357's for years after that. Plus I like the 41 mag a lot better and so it's a case of why bother?
Added: I suspect solids from a 357 would break bones.
As many here know, I am a 41 mag guy and bumped up to 480 Ruger a number of years ago for deer hunting (or whatever big game hunting I might do). Like it and it's plenty of everything... practical power, manageable recoil, accuracy and so forth and all the things I look for in a big game revolver. That said, the platform matters and I have found the BFR in 480 to be a lot more comfortable to shoot than my SRH. (Would love to own a Freedom Arms SA in that caliber.) That is for the OP and looking at the 45-70 BFR..... Comfortable to shoot is where the X-frames come into play.
Comfortable to shoot.... I know most of us like our S&W M29's and M57's, but they really aren't comfortable to shoot with full power loads, ya know. But they are fun. Craig mentioned a 4" M29/629 as beating you up... I agree. Even the 4" is a big heavy on the belt for me.
There really are a lot of good tidbits in this thread for the budding big bore handgun hunter.
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22-rimfire,
the gun that shot the log weighs 36 ozs. (i know, craigc, 38 ozs.) and has a 4.625 inch barrel. takes some getting use to the recoil.
it carries on the hip well when i'm out quad riding (just in case a nasty range bull wants to dance). good for two-legged critters, too.
murf
the gun that shot the log weighs 36 ozs. (i know, craigc, 38 ozs.) and has a 4.625 inch barrel. takes some getting use to the recoil.
it carries on the hip well when i'm out quad riding (just in case a nasty range bull wants to dance). good for two-legged critters, too.
murf
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Wreck-n-Crew
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Recon I will throw a pic in. Picked it up a little over a month ago and I really like it. I have to say Taurus got the Quality and function right on this Hog Leg. Locks up tight and a nice SA trigger. The Da not so much but I shoot it well. Thought about a scope but never went there.
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