- Joined
- Feb 7, 2012
- Messages
- 593
Years ago, I shot two deer with a 25/06 with cast bullets. At abour 60 yards, 120 grain, 1800fps gas checked, hard cast flat point bullets and a dose of Red Dot if I recall. Both heart shots, and both died quickly. By the way, the report of the shot was so low, I shot one after the other, 20 seconds after the other.Anyone use cast bullets for deer hunting? I'm thinking that Lyman number 2 will be a good alloy to use. 80 or 100 gr with gas checks.
I have a couple pretty accurate loads. Maybe out to 150 yards. Thanks,john
Why would you use a flat point, flat now, large meplat type projectile, with a lower BC, in a bolt gun or a cartridge like 243? Makes no sense to handicap yourself like that. Those bullets are for tube-fed guns.I'd personally rather see somebody hunt deer with a 243/6mm and cast bullets than a 22 caliber anything. Just me. I'd try to find a gas check mould of 100 grains and a flat point bullet.
I haven't, but my Dad did. Back in the late 60s/early 70s. Always had good results. You have to limit your velocities, though, as with any cast lead application, so you won't be maxing out the 243's capabilities with it.Anyone use cast bullets for deer hunting? I'm thinking that Lyman number 2 will be a good alloy to use. 80 or 100 gr with gas checks.
I have a couple pretty accurate loads. Maybe out to 150 yards. Thanks,john
They can't be counted on to expand, with the lead hardness, and velocity. A meplat does more tissue damage and cuts blood vessels cleaner that rounded or pointed.Why would you use a flat point, flat now, large meplat type projectile, with a lower BC, in a bolt gun or a cartridge like 243? Makes no sense to handicap yourself like that. Those bullets are for tube-fed guns.
Okay. I'll concede that point. Interesting it should come up. I was just looking at some of cast 170 grn lead for 30-30 and wonderingif I could put each projectile in a drill press and drill out a "hollow point." Easy enough to do on a flat point, I doubt it would ever be concentric on a pointed cast projectile, so yeah, I see it now. I wonder if those pointed cast lead molds are counting on hitting bone to create the expansion.They can't be counted on to expand, with the lead hardness, and velocity. A meplat does more tissue damage and cuts blood vessels cleaner that rounded or pointed.
I have hollow pointed lead bullets using a collet head in a lathe as well as using a Forster trimmer. Almost impossible to center the hole. And, if soft enough to expand, too soft to drive at decent velocity.Okay. I'll concede that point. Interesting it should come up. I was just looking at some of cast 170 grn lead for 30-30 and wonderingif I could put each projectile in a drill press and drill out a "hollow point." Easy enough to do on a flat point, I doubt it would ever be concentric on a pointed cast projectile, so yeah, I see it now. I wonder if those pointed cast lead molds are counting on hitting bone to create the expansion.
How about 175 grain when it is back in stock? https://www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-311-180-sil-gc-hp-3cav/Okay. I'll concede that point. Interesting it should come up. I was just looking at some of cast 170 grn lead for 30-30 and wonderingif I could put each projectile in a drill press and drill out a "hollow point." Easy enough to do on a flat point, I doubt it would ever be concentric on a pointed cast projectile, so yeah, I see it now. I wonder if those pointed cast lead molds are counting on hitting bone to create the expansion.
If I were casting my own, perhaps, but I buy all my cast lead projectiles from Missouri Bullet Co.How about 175 grain when it is back in stock? https://www.mp-molds.com/product/mp-311-180-sil-gc-hp-3cav/
People have been doing it for years. I understand what you saying. How about the old round balls,the muzzle loaders use. How many deer do you think are wounded with jacketed bullets. I have found a few dead in the woods after season. Like I said,I understand your thoughts.. johnnyThere is a reason that modern jacketed cup and core bullets were invented. They are much more efficient at killing game! why would you want to use old technology in a modern rifle? I understand you just want to try it! But why take the chance of wounding a game animal because the bullet didnt perform. Everyone knows that sometimes with good bullet placement bad things happen.
My 2 cents it is a free country do what you please.
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FYI I use Nosler Partitions, Hornady Interlocks(RN and BTSP) and flex tips, Sierra Pro Hunters in my rifles.
Bull
So, what about using a handgun? I have gotten a few deer with my 357,using 158 gr SWC. One close to,80 yards. One shot..?I will go out on a limb and say that unless your deer are small, cast out of 243 is too small. I think 30 cal is the minimum I would hunt deer with cast. You are velocity limited with cast and have to depend on a wide meplat rather than expansion, so I think you need a bigger caliber.
So, what about using a handgun? I have gotten a few deer with my 357,using 158 gr SWC. One close to,80 yards. One shot..?
Why would you use a flat point, flat now, large meplat type projectile, with a lower BC, in a bolt gun or a cartridge like 243? Makes no sense to handicap yourself like that. Those bullets are for tube-fed guns.
The OP claimed the use is going to be out to 150 yards. Meplat or BC is not much of an issue at that distance. I do not see the bullet as the main handicap here.
While there is a a lot of noise made about bullet type when it comes to hunting, shot placement will still always trump bullet type. While the terminal performance of a bullet can be important with marginal hits, a hole in the boiler room is still a hole in the boiler room and will result in a dead deer. What a person does after the shot can more than make up for a lack of terminal performance, like with giving the animal time to die and having some type of tracking/blood trailing skills.
As I said in the post you quoted, I do not see the bullet as the main handicap here. Many folks believe that a .243 is marginal for deer size game with any bullet type. Those of us that hunt with archery equipment for deer or use handguns as our primary weapons during the regular gun season face the same hurdles, and the same condescension. Folks need to know the limitations of their equipment and their personal skills, and strive to make quick, clean and humane kills with whatever they use. Using a 180 JSP in a .30-06 will make for a similar irretrievable deer if poor shot placement is made and the deer runs off the property/jumps in the river and floats downstream......regardless of those above average tracking skills.My well above average tracking skills do not mean squat if the deer runs off the property line, jumps in the river and floats downstream to the next state, disappears in impenetrable brush, etc. IMO, cast in 243 is inadequate to the task, and I say this as someone who has killed many deer at similar ranges with black powder and a round ball as well as a 30-06 cast load.