I am working up some handloads for a 44 magnum and a 454 casull and i am using the OT bullets which are looking good for accuracy and speed but i have not used these yet on any game.I am getting 1850 FPS out of my BFR 454 with a 255 grain SWC and 1600 FPS with a 240 grain SWC out of my Ruger Super Redhawk.This is very fast for a cast bullet and i am seeing very little barrel leading from these.My question is has anyone used these for hunting and if so how did they perform?

 

Man that's really smokin with lead, I might have to try some of those as I really dislike de-leading barrels. What powder and charge are you using on that 44 if I might ask? I would have to guess those boolyets would perform very well on deer.

SR

 

ShadyRascal my load is 24 grains of 296 with cci 350 primers in remington cases.I have used this load in the past on deer with a Hornady XTP bullet with very good results.My Super Redhawk has the 9 1/2" barrel so that helps a bit with the velocity.I have no doubt that this will be a very good deer load but i am also trying to work up a load that will take Elk as well.I have shot many deer but have never hunted elk so i want to up my odds with the most efficient loads that i can put together for my handguns.I could not believe the velocities i was getting with the 454,1850 for a 255 grain SWC is indeed smokin!!!!

 

I should add that the Oregon Trail laser cast bullets have a Brinell hardness of about 24 which allows for the high velocities with little or no leading.

 

I'm gonna try some of those bullets, I just ran out of 357 158's. I was in my tree stand year before last with my 44 Super Blackhawk 7.5" ready to shoot a deer, and 5 count 'em 5 ELK sauntered by at 30 yards, had em dead to rights, but all cows and it was one week before cow season opened up. I was sick, coulda easily taken one with the pistole' and had to just sit tight.

But the hunting Gods smiled after that and about half hour later I shot a whitetail buck. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

The old rule of thumb is not to push cast bullets over 1400 fps. Over that speed major barrel leading can take place due to stripping the cast bullet against the riflings. That's not saying you can't do it, but a Outers Foul Out, or Lewis Lead Remover might be real handy tool to have.

I have used lazer cast bullets in various 38, 44, and 45 caliber pistol handloads with great results. They are excellent cast bullets for the price.

 

JDGrizz i agree that normally a cast bullet should be held to moderate speeds but the hardness level of the Oregon Trail bullets allows for much more speed than usual.I get almost no leading and in the case of the 1850 FPS 454 load that is evidence of the potential of these bullets.

 

If you are concerned about barrel leading I personally really like the Barnes Tripple-Shock X bullets in my 300 WIn Mag. I had the 200 grain bullet go through and through hitting one front shoulder of a Moose near the jount at about 125yds. I was very impressed.

This is a solid copper bullet. I am not sure if they make this bullet for pistols.

Those loads are definitely smoking for a 454 though. I may look into that.

SJ

 

I've taken 460 grain cast bullets up to 1800-1900 fps with no leading. it's all about the hardness, lube, and wether it has gas checks. I haven't tryed the Oregon Trails, but have looked at them and they will probably be my next purchase just to see how they work. I will be using them in a 45-70 though at about 500 gr weight near 1800 fps.

 

I got a chance to shoot the 454 and 44 loads at some 3/4" birch shop ply scraps and the results were good.I stacked 12 pieces tightly together and shot at them from about 30 feet and the 44 and 454 loads both went through 11 of the 12 sheets.I realize that plywood is not the same as bone and tissue but the results showed the capability of these cast bullets.The 44 bullets at 1600 FPS were in very good shape after recovery but the 454 loads broke up too much for me and i will slow them down some for hunting.If anyone tries this just remember that birch plywood is much more dense than typical 3/4 " exterior plywood and the results will be different.