125 gr cast for deer
- Thread starter savagelover
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savagelover
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Because,I have lot of bullet.
N555
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Are they all hard cast, low alloy such as recovered 22lr bullets or soft/pure lead?
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savagelover
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15 16 bhn
N555
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So commercial hard cast, yeah they'll probably go straight through a deer/person and won't flatten out much unless they hit thick bone. Unless you increase velocity a good bit.
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savagelover
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Yeah I plan on speeding it up some. Depends on the 50 yards accuracy.
I just don't think that's a good way to choose a hunting load.
You're already talking about having to do some load development so instead of doing it with those bullets, buy a small batch of decent .357 hunting bullets with a good reputation for accuracy in 686 revolvers and work up a load. Even with sight-in and some familiarization shots every year, most people don't shoot a lot of deer-hunting ammo so how much you have really shouldn't be a factor in your choice.
What you're currently talking about is pretty much the equivalent of hunting deer with 9mm FMJ. It can certainly be done, but it's not something that's going to garner much support.
N555
Member
I would say velocity is irrelevant if it's not accurate.
2ndtimer
Member
Doable? Yes, but just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. I would consider a 158 gr JSP or XTP-HP as the bare minimum for 50 yard deer from my 6” GP-100 at around 1350 FPS. Although a 170 to 180 gr cast bullet might work just as well.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Interesting consideration, ham stringing one's hunting capability with an anemic (for hunting deer) caliber and then doubling down on non-expanding bullets.
N555
Member
In some states all you can use are straight wall cartridges for deer.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
BULLY! (historic T.R. positive exclamation, since we are talking hunting)
Did you know that many of those states don't just stipulate straight-walled, but straight-walled centerfire cartridges? Did you know that in some states that allow straight walled cartridges (and bottleneck in some cases) also have an energy stipulation that the OP would not meet with his little .38. When stipulated, it is usually muzzle energy, but in some states, the stipulation of energy is at distance, such as Utah that requires the energy at 100 yards to be 500 ft lbs or more that cannot be delivered by a non-expanding bullet. A 1200 fps 125 gr. .38 caliber straight-walled cartridge producing 400 ft lbs at the muzzle is well under that criterion and non-expanding bullets would be a no-go as well. In Nebraska, it is 400 ft lbs at 50 yards, close, but no cigar. Did you know in some states, the straight-walled cartridge must be no smaller than .357?
I do love me some hunting trivia, but it is pretty pointless especially due to the randomness of the information as applied to this situation and so this probably isn't the thread for it. Seriously, I am not sure why you quoted me previously since I wasn't commenting on legality. I never assumed or implied the OP was doing anything illegal. If I thoguht the OP was illegal, I would have said as much. I would not want a fellow member accidentally making a legal mistake that could be costly.
However, if you really want to get into the sticks, start a thread on airgun hunting requirements by state. Then we can have some real fun!
jmorris
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Its not but “because I want to” has driven many purchases and use of, less than ideal hunting gear and ammunition.
I do hunt with cast bullets though but there is a pretty big energy difference between a 125 vs going 1200 fps and a 405 going the same speed, almost 900 ft/lbs difference Between the two.
Gun-Reck
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Then suggest you use them for training.
Hunting only requires a few.
Consider the HDY 158 gr. XTP from a 6" revolver and the 180 gr. XTP from a carbine, both on top of a full house H110 charge.
The Federal AE 158 gr. JSP is a good factory option.
Alaskamike
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Apologies if I missed it, but what's the bullet shape in question?
If it's a round nose or truncated cone, I wouldn't consider it and would look for a different bullet. If it's a semi wadcutter, than it might work okay.
I think where you would be most likely to run into a problem is if you hit a large bone. A heavier bullet would typically break the bone and continue on (depending on how heavy for the caliber). The light bullet would typically break the bone, but get stopped quickly.
If you do end up giving it a try, be sure to take some photos of how the bullet performed, how it penetrated, etc.
Good luck,
Mike
If it's a round nose or truncated cone, I wouldn't consider it and would look for a different bullet. If it's a semi wadcutter, than it might work okay.
I think where you would be most likely to run into a problem is if you hit a large bone. A heavier bullet would typically break the bone and continue on (depending on how heavy for the caliber). The light bullet would typically break the bone, but get stopped quickly.
If you do end up giving it a try, be sure to take some photos of how the bullet performed, how it penetrated, etc.
Good luck,
Mike
doubleh
Member
I would think it would be adequate on the tiny Texas whitetails if put in the right place all though I doubt it will be a DRT thing. I have only seen one deer, a smaller mulie but still larger than the the whitetails, shot with a lead projectile. It was with a 50 caliber round ball from a muzzle loader at about 35 yards. It drilled a 1/2" hole through a rib and even being pure lead showed no expansion or flattening at all. Luckily the deer just stood in place for a time and then fell over. On a mule deer I wouldn't even consider what you are asking. Unless a head shot it would probably be a lost deer.
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savagelover
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Ok switch to 158 xtp flat nose. Are you happy. Average 5 shot velocity is 13 07. 50 yards is my max range. Maybe 55 at the most.2400 powder..
Buzznrose
Member
Another option would be the 158 gr XTP
I load them pretty warm in .357, as well as 10MM and 9MM and they are pretty good performers IMO.
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savagelover
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My dogs a good tracker.lolI guess if you wouldn’t hesitate to shoot one with a 9mm handgun shooting +P 124 gr non expanding bullets, then that nearly identical bullet/speed combo out of your revolver will work. (1200 fps w/125 gr .358 bullet is roughly 420 fpe)
Put the shot in the brain and you’ll fill that tag right there. Anywhere else and you probably will be tracking for a bit.
Good luck
Riomouse911
Member
If you don’t hit him square in the bean, then your dog’s talents will come in handy! 
My dog is a pointer and loves to sniff critters out, but she is a lousy tracker.
Good luck this season, let us know how it goes.
Stay safe.
My dog is a pointer and loves to sniff critters out, but she is a lousy tracker.
Good luck this season, let us know how it goes.
Stay safe.
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savagelover
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Yeah, right
Four deer killed on opening day in our group of five. Two heart lung shots, one head, and one neck shot. The neck shot was with a 243, the other ones were 450 bushmasters. They all went down where they were shot. The deer ranged from 150 to 200 pounds.
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