I can't find much of anything online regarding how this bullet performs on deer at various velocities, or what the velocity limit should be before it grenades. Hornady has a nice velocity range chart for it's XTP bullets, but I found nothing similar for Speer. I have the option to use these bullets at high subsonic velocities for hunting with a bolt-action suppressed rifle, "Ruger Only" levels in my Super Blackhawk, .454 Casull, and on up to .450 Bushmaster velocities. At the low end, it doesn't appear too different in profile than a Lee .452-255-RF bullet so I'd guess it's sufficiently flat to rip a decent hole even if it does not expand. At the high end, if it gives up before my .450 Bushmaster does, there are other bullets I can use. If anybody here has actual field experience hunting with this bullet, please share.
Speer .451 260 grain JHP performance vs velocity?
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buck460XVR
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Speer told me it is not appropriate for legitimate .460 velocities, but will work for reduced recoil loads. I would think it would be the same in .454.
Speer says the 260gr. JHP is suitable for deer up to about 1180 fps, which is a bit above subsonic. At the same velocity the 250gr. will expand considerably more, the 300gr. JHP less. I have no actual game experience with any of those bullets.
I found more info in, of all places... my Speer reloading manual! They load this bullet up to 696 ft/sec in the 45 Auto Rim, 847 in 45 ACP, 941 for SAAMI 45 Colt, 1183 for "Ruger Only" 45 Colt (jives with BBarn's comment), and even up to 1786 ft/sec for 454 Casull. The 454 section specifically says "The Speer 225 and 260 grain JHP bullets are fine for lighter deer." I'd like to believe that if they make a statement like this for the Casull loadings, it'd apply to the velocities they're generating. So I guess I've found my answer. Feel free to chime in with any actual field reports for how this bullet has done for you.
buck460XVR
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My Speer manual, number 14 states that
My Speer manual also shows the max load given for the 260 in .454 produces only 1531 fps. Again, a reduced load and has not to do with the terminal performance on game, but as to not deform the thin jacket in the barrel/forcing cone and cause excessive and premature erosion.
My personal communication with Speer technicians was about the use of the said 260 grainers in my .460, which produces very similar pressure and velocities as your .454. What I was told is the 260 HP, like the 250 HP and their 300 gr Uni-core SP, were designed for .45 Colt velocities and when and if used in my 460, should only be loaded to those velocities. You are free to do as you please. Your guns, your choice.
Demi-human
maybe likes firearms a little bit…
This is the 250 from a 450 Bushmaster, 16” barrel.
Recovered in the spring from through a pallet, a 2x4 and five feet of iced over Michigan snowbank plowed up from the drive to the barn and used as a backstop.
I found a decent deal on some 300 grain XTP Mags, but I really do like the Speers!
I hope to use one of them on a deer in 20 days.
Recovered in the spring from through a pallet, a 2x4 and five feet of iced over Michigan snowbank plowed up from the drive to the barn and used as a backstop.
I found a decent deal on some 300 grain XTP Mags, but I really do like the Speers!
I hope to use one of them on a deer in 20 days.
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