The more they stay the same. I've been doing quite a bit of reading here on the various posts about what caliber and bullet is best for this or that. Or the question is I have a_____ (insert caliber) what load should I use? Most recently these posts have revolved around calibers and cartridges to be used for outdoors use. The OP usually gets quite a few good replies then the the thread gets turned into a mine is bigger than yours contest or some such. Or load your gun up with the heaviest fastest gun wrecking, wrist breaking load possible as animals now sport kevalr hides. Here is the common recommendation though, use cast bullets.
I find this interesting because up until a few years ago cast bullets were avoided like the plague by most folks. Then Mr Garrett showed up with his hardcast .44/.45-70 loads and people started to take notice of what a cast bullet can do. This is interesting to me because Mr. Kieth was telling the public how good cast bullets were way before cast bullets became mainstream as they are today. This in turn led to heavier bullets than normal for a given cartridge, and in turn driven to some impressive speeds. So this got me to wondering. How much bullet weight and how much velocity is really needed for what the majority of us will need a handgun for in these situations?
This led me to read materials from both John Linebaugh and Elmer Kieth. I feel it's safe to say, that both of these men know more about the application of handgun cartridges in the outdoors than most here. What I found will surprise most here. John Linebaugh is well known for his work with the .45 Colt and heavy loads. In one of his articles he lists his favorite .45 Colt loads and none exceed 320gr in weight, and none exceed 1280fps. The 310/320gr cast bullets are lised at 1250fps, and the 260gr cast at 1280fps. With the majority being in the 900fps-1050fps realm.
Why is this...? Because any of those loads will shoot clear through any animal that should be tackled with a handgun. Once the bullet has punched through the intended target what else can it do? As Mr. Linbaugh said "the animal won't know or care if the bullet was going 1100fps or 1700fps as the bullet will have done all it can".
Elmer Kieth proved many times that his bullets (which are standard weight for caliber) would sail through game like a hot knife through butter. I admitt to all here that I'm tempted by that temptress known as max velocity all the time.
Then I have to do a reality check and think back to the articles of Mr. Kieth and Mr. Linebaugh.
It's funny really, we have in a sense kinda' come full circle for hangun hunting ammo. While jacketed bullets most certainly still have a use more and more folks recognize the merits of cast bullets too. So much so that cast bullets are now loaded and sold by companies such as federal and corbon to name but a couple. Shortly I'll be making the switch to all cast bullets for my handgunning needs. I already have a good general purpose load for my .41 mag with a cast SWC. Once I get me some 220gr Kieth Bullets I'll get a good hunting load too. One that uses a standard weight bullet yet will also penetrate like no tomorrow just as Mr. Keith and Mr. Linebaugh have proven they will. I haven't shot any jacketed .38 ammo in so long I can't remember when.
So I guess the more some things change the more they stay the same.
I find this interesting because up until a few years ago cast bullets were avoided like the plague by most folks. Then Mr Garrett showed up with his hardcast .44/.45-70 loads and people started to take notice of what a cast bullet can do. This is interesting to me because Mr. Kieth was telling the public how good cast bullets were way before cast bullets became mainstream as they are today. This in turn led to heavier bullets than normal for a given cartridge, and in turn driven to some impressive speeds. So this got me to wondering. How much bullet weight and how much velocity is really needed for what the majority of us will need a handgun for in these situations?
This led me to read materials from both John Linebaugh and Elmer Kieth. I feel it's safe to say, that both of these men know more about the application of handgun cartridges in the outdoors than most here. What I found will surprise most here. John Linebaugh is well known for his work with the .45 Colt and heavy loads. In one of his articles he lists his favorite .45 Colt loads and none exceed 320gr in weight, and none exceed 1280fps. The 310/320gr cast bullets are lised at 1250fps, and the 260gr cast at 1280fps. With the majority being in the 900fps-1050fps realm.
Why is this...? Because any of those loads will shoot clear through any animal that should be tackled with a handgun. Once the bullet has punched through the intended target what else can it do? As Mr. Linbaugh said "the animal won't know or care if the bullet was going 1100fps or 1700fps as the bullet will have done all it can".
Elmer Kieth proved many times that his bullets (which are standard weight for caliber) would sail through game like a hot knife through butter. I admitt to all here that I'm tempted by that temptress known as max velocity all the time.
Then I have to do a reality check and think back to the articles of Mr. Kieth and Mr. Linebaugh.
It's funny really, we have in a sense kinda' come full circle for hangun hunting ammo. While jacketed bullets most certainly still have a use more and more folks recognize the merits of cast bullets too. So much so that cast bullets are now loaded and sold by companies such as federal and corbon to name but a couple. Shortly I'll be making the switch to all cast bullets for my handgunning needs. I already have a good general purpose load for my .41 mag with a cast SWC. Once I get me some 220gr Kieth Bullets I'll get a good hunting load too. One that uses a standard weight bullet yet will also penetrate like no tomorrow just as Mr. Keith and Mr. Linebaugh have proven they will. I haven't shot any jacketed .38 ammo in so long I can't remember when.
So I guess the more some things change the more they stay the same.
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