Magnum revolver optimum velocity

[Varminterror]

Kansas says the Punch bullet is "non-expanding" since it's a solid without any design consideration to force expansion. Our law book about 5-6yrs ago was written to prohibit any non-lead solid, i.e. the TTSX, so I went down that road with them at the time, now it reads differently, but still requires an expanding bullet design, and the Punch's are out.

Centerfire rifles and handguns that are not fully automatic, while using only hard-cast solid lead, soft point, hollow point, or other expanding bullets

 

[sabbfan]

Iowa's law calls for expanding bullets as well, so I've been using jsp instead of semi wadcutters in my SRH to avoid any complications.

 

[CraigC]

The Punch has enough of a dimpled hollow point, which it has to have in order to be legal to manufacture and not considered "armor piercing". Again, these hunting regulations are aimed at military type ball rifle ammunition.

These kinda look expanded.

 

[If1HitU]

Hodgdon's starting load for a 240 grain JHP at 25,000 CUP runs over 1,400 fps (according to the load data. I really wish they wouldn't use CUP..... that 1,266 max load seems off particularly at that pressure point. Anyhow, if your 240 is only running 1,266 it really won't kick more than a 300 at 1,100. Your trajectory between these two hypothetical loads won't be so different and if you are keeping your shots in the 100 yards or less realm, I just don't see a problem. If "long" (relatively speaking) shots are planned for, I would seek more than 1,266 fps at the muzzle. But that's just me.

As I said before, for whitetail you really don't need anything heavier than a 240 in .44 Magnum. Black bear, well all black bear aren't created equally. There's a big difference between a 180 pound Maine black bear and a 500 pound plus black bear from North Carolina. I've hunter them both and some of the big ones we kill in NC deserve and justify a heavier bullet. JMHO.

Not trying to be argumentative, but that load data doesn't seem right.

Cool video thanks for sharing.

 

[MCMXI]

But all hardcast bullets are not created equally from nose profile to material to hardness. The toughest hardcast bullets I have seen (and used) in action are those produced by Garrett Cartridge. They don't sell them commercially for the handloader, only as loaded ammo, but they are tougher than any else I have used.

@MaxP, thanks for the comment re Garret Cartridges Inc. I'd never heard of them but looked at their website and was interested in the article about revolvers, bullet selection and defense against bears. This past spring/summer I worked up hardcast loads for a Ruger Redhawk with a 4.2" barrel in .45 Colt and a Super Redhawk Alaskan in .454 Casull. I have no interest in hunting with a revolver but I do carry the Redhawk up here in NW MT for protection against bears while hiking, camping and hunting so want to have an appropriate load. I'm pushing a 360gr OT Trueshot at around 1,125fps from the Redhawk which seems to be an appropriate velocity for that bullet based on what I've read.

http://www.garrettcartridges.com/defensive.html

I would like to try some of the Garret .45 Colt loads but they're too pricey for me at $2 per round.