Hey guys I just found out I will be going to georgia for a boar hunt in 3 weeks. I wasnt expecting it but the chance arose and I would love to bloody my freedom arms 454. The only perdicament is with this limited amount of time for me to build up a load. I have a small supply (15 or so) 300 grain xtp mags along with a box of 240 xtp mags. While Im sure these would do fine I would like to find something I dont have to shoot at 1700+ fps to get reliable performance. My wrists dont like it. I am frantically looking for a source of heavy LBT hard casts that I can find for my trip. I was thinking a 300-360 grain WFN GC at 1200-1400 fps would be more of a mild push instead of such as sharp jap of the 240 xtp mag at 1950 fps. I dont know how big of a boar I might encounter if I do get lucky enough to get a shot at one. Midway is out of stock of cast performance bullets and I have called with no avail. I have also tried beartooth bullets with no answer either. Is it worth finding a source of cast bullets with such limited time or should I just suck it up and use the 240 mags ? Either way I am excited for this trip. I will also be packing my 45 acp cylinder with 250 RFN cast bullets at 950 fps for any armidillos or maybe even boar also. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, SS.

here is a link to Oregon Trail bullets which are actually my favorite, they have a 360gr specifically for the 454. The Trueshots are the hardcast with a brinnel hardness of 24 although their standard lead is harder than some so called hard cast with a hardness of 21. CP is 22-23.

http://www.laser-cast.com/trueshot.html

The better cast bullet makers are all backordered now and will not be able to get you bullets in time for you to work up loads. Midway has the standard 300 grain XTP in stock which should work great from 1200-1400 fps. If you order tonight they'll have it shipped tomorrow.

I went back to OT and I started the checkout procedure for some 360gr in a 50ct box and nothing ever popped up about BO but a quick call would confirm.

SS,

For another option, the Barnes 250 XPB load runs around 1500 fps in the factory configurations. If memory serves correct, Tradmark has taken bear and boar with this load. Should be a happy medium in terms of recoil and handle anything you may encounter!

I may have overstated my point. I've been disappointed lately about how long it's taking me to get cast bullets. It's been 2-3 times longer waits than in 2012. If the maker happens to have what you need in stock (and already sized and lubed) it may work out. If you were not in a time crunch I would have suggested the Cast Performance 335g WLNGC or Montana Bullet Works 300 grain RCBS SWC-GC.

Good luck on your hunt! Please let us know what you decide on and how it works out.

You can use your 300 gr. XTP Mag. bullets driven by 28 gr. 296 for 1380 fps from a 6" barrel. Could also drop to 27 gr. Both loads are more than adequate for any boar that ever lived.

You should shift your disappointment to our fellow shooters who are buying up all of the bullets, powder, primers, ammo, shooting components, etc. like it is all going out of style. I know it's frustrating, but they are struggling to keep up as they too are having trouble buying all of the components necessary to make ammo and bullets. Not trying to be combative, but the manufacturers are really struggling to keep up.

perfect...

Well I have decided I am going to use the 300 xtp mags as my first choice. I should have enough for the hunt and my gun is already pretty well on with them. My back up will be the 240 mags. I am going to push both of them almost full bore to make sure I get the performance I need. I will deal with the sharp recoil, I need to get used to it anyway. I am betting that I would get full penetration even with the 240 mags. So we will see what happens. We are going to start in Georgia with a nightvision hunt and than go to Alabama for 4 days of hunting on a few different properties. I am very excited and I really hope I get to put an xtp mag through a hog, whatever size it might be. I would also love to shoot an armadillo with the 45 acp. It looks like it should be a good trip. I will post story and pics if we are blessed enough to harvest something. Thanks for all of the suggestions ! SS

It only hurts when practicing ;-)