Deer season will be here before I know it and I'm not going to do the load testing in the middle of November in the rain, cold and snow like I did last year so I'm gearing up for loading my 44mag and 45-70 and want some advice on what you use.
currently...44mag handi rifle is shooting a near max charge of IMR 4227 with 240gr Hornady XTP, firm crimp, cci mag primers and its decent at 100yards but I've read a couple things about using the XTP too fast and at long ranges that it wont perform or comes apart. Maybe an FTX bullet would be better? what do you guys shoot? we have some BIG deer up here. hit a 180lbs dressed 3-3.5yo buck right in the lungs with 120grs of powder and a 200gr tc shockwave sabot at about 60-70yards back in January and he acted like it was a mosquito bite. found him about 80-100yards away and no exit and only a little blood where he fell down. (and people wonder why I shoot them with a 45-70)
45-70 lever action...300gr Hornady JHP with IMR 4198 and cci standard LR primers. I have some h322 and h335 and benchmark also on hand I thought about trying if the IMR 4198 didn't work. I went IMR 4198 because I couldn't find any of the other 45-70 powders locally. I shot one small/medium doe with a LE 325gr FTX factory rounds and it was a massacre but the reloading shop guys told me they hear a lot of negative about that bullet so I went with the 300gr but have yet to shoot it or an animal with it.
what do you guys suggest I try for both?
currently...44mag handi rifle is shooting a near max charge of IMR 4227 with 240gr Hornady XTP, firm crimp, cci mag primers and its decent at 100yards but I've read a couple things about using the XTP too fast and at long ranges that it wont perform or comes apart. Maybe an FTX bullet would be better? what do you guys shoot? we have some BIG deer up here. hit a 180lbs dressed 3-3.5yo buck right in the lungs with 120grs of powder and a 200gr tc shockwave sabot at about 60-70yards back in January and he acted like it was a mosquito bite. found him about 80-100yards away and no exit and only a little blood where he fell down. (and people wonder why I shoot them with a 45-70)
45-70 lever action...300gr Hornady JHP with IMR 4198 and cci standard LR primers. I have some h322 and h335 and benchmark also on hand I thought about trying if the IMR 4198 didn't work. I went IMR 4198 because I couldn't find any of the other 45-70 powders locally. I shot one small/medium doe with a LE 325gr FTX factory rounds and it was a massacre but the reloading shop guys told me they hear a lot of negative about that bullet so I went with the 300gr but have yet to shoot it or an animal with it.
what do you guys suggest I try for both?