Hunting with Laser Cast Bullets

[Big_R]

I'm wondering if anyone has hunting experience with laser cast bullets. I'm loading some 240 grain SWC's for my Winchester '94 in .44 mag. The velocities are around 1700 fps and accuracy is very, very good. I'd be hunting white tail deer with no shot being longer than around 75 yards (heavy woods). Anyone have any info?

Ryan

 

[Ifishsum]

I use them in .357/.38 but haven't shot anything larger than a badger with them. With the load you have, I think they'd do nicely on whitetails at the range mentioned (with proper shot placement of course).

 

[rethaew]

What powder and charge are you using? That is quite a hot round!

 

[JSR]

A max load of AA9 or H4227 will get you right around 1700+.

 

[Jet22]

You are on the right track. When hunting whitetail with a handgun cartridge the idea is to blow through the lungs or heart area and leave a good exit hole. That way there will be lots of blood. Very seldom does a deer just drop when hit in the heart or lungs. They will usually run up to 100 yards or more. You need a good blood trail in most thick brushy areas where you hunt whitetail or you will lose them. They are very good at disappearing. The LBT or Keith style (my choice) will do a great job of leaving a good blood trail. I have killed 5 whitetail with a 357 hardcast 358429 Keith style 170 grain bullet at about 1250fps in a 6.5" Ruger and have never recovered a bullet. Lots of blood. I shot one deer with a 357 max factory 180 Federal...the hollow point bullet exploded and did not exit! Almost lost the deer. I guess the most important thing with your load is how does it feed? I have a 357 Marlin rifle and it is very fussy feeding cast bullets.