454 Casull penetration?

[Naphtali]

I've hunted elk and whitetail with Freedom Arms 475 Linebaugh, limiting my shot to 35 yards. This really isn't much of a limitation because I was hunting in extremely thick woods. I got no shots, and the Model 83 was sold. I have access to a T/C 454 Casull with 7.5-inch barrel, 2X scope, and "hunting" bipod. Since I consider this combination to really be a short rifle, I want to extend my limit to 135-165 yards.

Using hard cast 300-grain Saeco (#058, 454 SWC-GC) bullet that leaves the barrel at 1400-1550 ft/sec, how high is the confidence level that this bullet will penetrate "through-and-through" on elk - including one shoulder - at 135 yards? At 165 yards?

 

[Art Eatman]

I would not be surprised at a through-and-through. The only event I recall is Ross Seyfried's through-and-through on a one-ton Australian buffalo with a .454. He always called for a lead semi-wadcutter with a large meplat. His shot, though, was at fairly close range--but an elk does not have as thick a body or as heavy bones.

 

[macgrumpy]

I've hunted with my .44mag Blackhawk and my .454 Freedom Arms from time to time over the years but I've only shot one elk with the .44 and none with the .454. The elk I shot with the .44 was at about 80 yards using a 240gr XTP bullet and it did a through and through on the lungs so I'm sure that the .454 will do it to at least 100 yards and I'm very confident that it will work fine to at least 125 yards.

 

[Stony]

I had a buddy that worked as a deputy sheriff in Ca. and their dept moved to a new location and the old jail was dismantled. He brought out a good sized piece of bullet proof glass from the jail for some of us to evaluate. The guys were bouncing 9mm's and 45's off of it with little damage. I put one 300 gr. lead 454 Casull into it from about 15 yds, and it virtually shattered. Granted the target would have fared better if it had been secured in a proper frame, and not propped up against an old shot up motorcycle, but the difference between the 454 and other pistol rounds was astounding to me. I have been a fan of Casull's products for many years....they just make great products.

 

[22-rimfire]

Don't think you'll have any problems with the 454 Casull at the ranges you mentioned in terms of killing on an elk. The 480 Ruger/475 Linebaugh is said to penetrate about 5 feet if that helps.

 

[Varminterror]

I use jacketed expanders in my .454's, I take the off-side-shoulder shot as often as I can get it to flatten one of their tires on the way out, with 300 XTP-M's, I always have an exit with a crushed shoulder joint on whitetails. Have not killed an Elk with 454C, but have doneso with 44mag, and did get an exit with a 300grn running a touch over 1400fps - not so different than doing the same with 454C, except the 44mag 300grn has a little better SD for penetration, and runs a little slower.

 

[RPRNY]

I do not have experience with the 454 Casull on elk or in a rifle, so load up on the salt in reviewing my remarks.

I do have a 20" barreled H&R Classic Carbine reamed to 454. I have to say, it is not a very accurate rifle and 3" groups at 100 yards are as good as it gets. However, the 454 is remarkable. The Hornady 250 gr FTX over H110 will deliver 2250 fps MV. 300 gr hard cast on elk at terminal velocities (and that's the key to consider for the ranges you are considering - I would be very wary of exceeding BHN 12 for fear of very limited expansion) should be devastating. I shot a typical southern Vermont whitetail (little racing deer - about 135 lbs) a few years back with a 300 gr Matt's bullets WNFP at circa 45 yards (1700 - 1800 MV). Great placement, punched through both lungs but there was no discernible expansion and it took a bit of tracking. So, keeping in mind the apples to GMO jackfruit comparison, I would err on the side of slightly softer bullets. They are going to penetrate - 300grs at anything over 700 fps terminal velocity is going through and through on a classic lung shot - but hard cast may not expand much unless you connect solidly with bone.