240gr hardcast at 1ooofps. whitetail, hogs? too light only use on woodchucks? what do we all think.

In my opinion that is a little light. The bullet weight is fine but I like to see velocity at 1200 fps min for a hunting load.

Funny, we all like to say 240 min at 1200 fps... all of us. I picked up a .44 mag about a month ago, and a friend had to borrow it a couple of days later. I got a box of 180 gr. Remingtons with it. A couple of weeks ago, he kills a doe at about 65 yards with it. The man I got the gun from, swore by the 180 grs. I admit, I'd take them if it was all I had, but, in this case, it was certainly enough. The caveat? I guess a good shot, with good placement.

I don't think it's too slow. I think you'll find that it will exit game that size without a problem. Just place your shots and collect your venison/pork.

My results on larger hogs with .44 and .45 caliber bullets at those velocities have been poor, if not downright frustrating.

With expanding bullets I expect poor results -- not enough speed. What type of bullets were you using? I have used hardcast bullets at those subdued speeds and they usually punch right through.

Let's not go there again.

According to his web site, Linebaugh's wife hunts pronghorn as slow as 900-950 fps out to about 100 yds. if I remember correctly, That's a .452 cast bullet from a short-barreled revolver, however.

Having only seen a pronghorn in person once, they do appear to be rather light game, not unlike our VA whitetails in a lot of respects.

Not going anywhere. Just asking the question. If we can't discuss this, what is the point of even posing the question on a forum?

I for one am adult enough to objectively discuss.

Deer aren't particularly hard to penetrate through and unless the hog is really big and has a thick gristle plate, they aren't that hard to punch through either.

I too prefer heavier bullets at more speed, but it shouldn't have any problems going through a thin-skinned animal. It wouldn't be my first choice either.

IMO, a good cast bullet in the 240-255gr weight range traveling at 950-1050fps is sufficeint for most of the game we hunt in the lower 48.

I dont think punching through is the question,but a suitable load for deer and hogs. People have killed both at lower velocitys for years.but perfect shot placement is a must.Out west with pronghorn you can usually watch or see the animal after the shot,here very seldom. An animal can take three steps and be out of sight,so I like a little more shock and speed if I can get it.I have never killed anything too dead,and if I have to shoot thru a bit more animal[quarting]I want that extra margin more speed, heavier bullet gives me. In an ideal world every time I dropped the hammer they would be D.R.T. but I dont live there ,so I want more power ,for the things I cant control.In the end it is still proper shot placement that saves the day. I.M.H.O.

I think shot placement is paramount no matter what load/caliber you are shooting. Like I said, I think it is an adequate load, but I too prefer more than adequate!

Yes, how on Earth did they do it in colonial times with flintlocks and round balls at < 1000 fps? They nearly wiped out the population of some animals, succeeded for others (Elk and Wolves) and fed themselves handsomely. I think we forget that many hunters use arrows at 300 fps or less to effectively hunt deer and other large game. Yes, their ranges are limited, but those arrows are no less effective than a .460 S&W Mag at an appropriate range, with the caveat that the arrow be placed precisely in the boiler room for a good, clean kill.

MV is more important (in this discussion) for determining effective range, correct? No, you may not want to try a 150-200 yd. shot on a deer with a 240 @ 1000 but why not at 50-75 yds?

Very well said!

Ageed!

I personally would like a little heavier projectile,but place it properly and eat!

Nothing will make up for shot placement. If you do your part you will harvest your game. Just remember a 240gr at 1000fps is basically you are shooting a 45 ACP. (You can split hairs and get technical, I am just saying basically.)

I have killed many a white tail with a 54 cal 232gr round ball. But it is going a little faster than 1000 FPS. LOL (in fact my load is leaving the muzzle at almost 2000fps out of my 38in 54cal flintlock rifle...) Don't forget that the 12ga muskets shot 520gr. round balls...

This is my "light" .44 revolver, a customized 4 inch SBH fitted with a JPoint dot. It is my general carry gun when horseback riding, etc. (I was gonna say "and hiking" but those days are over LOL)

Since I more or less "permanently loaned" my Dillon press to Fowler, he loads his cast 255 Keith bullets over 11 gr. of Unique (approx. 1100 fps??) for me and keeps me in good supply. What a guy! I furnish the brass, primers and powder...

I would not chose this as my primary hunting load for the .44, but I know that it could be used in a pinch, for protection from a nasty bear or cat or homo sapiens. Or in a survival situation it would take down a large ungulate for food with the right shot placement.

240 hard cast grain SWC at 1000fps will stop either whitetail or hog, when shot in the right place. Shot placement is far more important then velocity. This load will completely penetrate either of these animals, side to side. IMHO
Steve

That is a NICE pice Gregg!

One additional thought to add to the above discussion -- Blood trail!!!! I have seen animals that were hit well with a handgun and left no blood trail because the projectile did not exit. In thick cover an animal does not have to go very far to be very difficult to find. Without the help of a dog some of these animals are lost.

Thus, I would suggest that this also be considered when choosing a load as the primary one for hunting. While I personally shoot jacketed bullets almost exclusively, penetration is one big advantage of the hard casts.

Holy moly Gregg, the first two thoughts that hit my brain when I saw that were Toby Kieth's "Baddest Boots on the Boulevard" and Kelly Brost's yellow cowboy boots that he would wear britches tucked in. Tell me you have a pair of matching boots

. Very cool gun.

Back on point, I too run a 250 grain XTP or lead or plated flat nose at 1100 as my general duty load for my M83 in 454, and have done enough testing to feel quite comfortable with the load when out and about.

Craig

well, i'm gonna be working up to mildly recoiling loads for my son's 44 mag and 454 casull and depending on which he shoots best will determine which he will use on an upcoming oryx hunt. the 44 mag loads will be beartooth wide meplat 250 grain hardcasts at about 1300 fps. these should sail through the oryx and would blow through any deer or normal size hog in existence.

Brian Pearce(Handloader Journal)even uses loads as slow as 850 f.p.s. and reports good results as does Mr.Taffin.