ajax
Member
Mine is .45 and I like flat points over wadcutters due to cycling difficulties in most of my 1911's. I also prefer 185gr bullets over the rest. I like Rainier and Nosler, but Hornady is my favorite. So what do you guys and gals prefer.
Whats your preferred bullet for your favorite caliber
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cracked butt
Member
142gr SMK cruisemissiles loaded in 6.5x55
trickyasafox
Member
LRNFP for my pistols. they always seem to load well, are the cheapest (especially since i'm taking the plunge into casting) and loaded properly, can be a great hunting bullet
armoredman
Member
174gr Hornady FMJ/BT in .303, 150gr Hornady Soft Point in 7.62x54R, and Hornady 124 XTP/HP in 9mm. Sorry, couldn't restrict to just one...
The Bushmaster
Member
I also have three. 140 grain SJHP in .357 magnum, 185 grain JHP in .45 ACP and as old as it is I still like to hunt with my .30-30 more then my other rifles and I use a 170 grain FNSP...
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ReloaderFred
Member
I have too many calibers to list, but in pistols, I lean towards Berry's Plated Bullets. In rifles, usually Hornady bullets.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
For years it was a Magnus 230 Gr. TrFP, but now I'm just playing around with Pltd. and Moly bullets looking for a new favorite. I like the Hornady and Ranier 200 SWC's, the Berry's 200 HP & 185 SWC, and the Precision 200 SWC looks promising although I would prefer a 230 Gr. TrFP of some kind.
Kimber1911_06238
Member
185 grain flap points or hollow points in my .45
155 grain flat points in my .40
180 grain bullets in all my .30 cal rifles.
405 grain bullets in .45-70
155 grain flat points in my .40
180 grain bullets in all my .30 cal rifles.
405 grain bullets in .45-70
Based on ostensible effect
Based on ostensible effect I would have to say the 240 grain .444 Marlin. I took one hunting in an Encore pistol about 4 years back. I have never seen such brutal knockdown power without massive destruction of food. That is one barrel I wish I had not sold! The 300 grain .458 (.45-70) is a very clsoe 2nd! Oh heck, here's my short list for hunting:
Caliber & Grains/Configuration
.224 = 50HP
.244 = 95NosPart
.277 = 130BTBT
.284 = 140BTBT
.308 = 165BTBT
.338 = 210SP
.375 = 270 SPBT
.444 = 240FN
.458 = 300JHP
Doc2005
Based on ostensible effect I would have to say the 240 grain .444 Marlin. I took one hunting in an Encore pistol about 4 years back. I have never seen such brutal knockdown power without massive destruction of food. That is one barrel I wish I had not sold! The 300 grain .458 (.45-70) is a very clsoe 2nd! Oh heck, here's my short list for hunting:
Caliber & Grains/Configuration
.224 = 50HP
.244 = 95NosPart
.277 = 130BTBT
.284 = 140BTBT
.308 = 165BTBT
.338 = 210SP
.375 = 270 SPBT
.444 = 240FN
.458 = 300JHP
Doc2005
Vern Humphrey
Member
For concealed carry, I like Hydra-Shoks in .45 ACP and .38 Special. For practice, I like the 230 grain Lee tumble tube round nose in .45 ACP and the 148 grain tumble lube wadcutter in .38 Special. In .357 I like the Hornady XTP for field use. And in .45 Colt I like the 255 grain Lee wide flat nose and the 295-grain modern .454 minie ball.
In .22 Hornet, I use the 35-grain Hornady V-Max. In 6.5X55 Swede, I use remington bulk 140-grain softnoses. In .30-06 I like either bulk 165 grain bullets or 180 grain Nosler PJs. For the 7mm Rem Mag, I like a 154 grain Nosler PJ for hunting, and for the .35 Brown-Whelen I like the 225 grain Nosler PJ for hunting.
In .22 Hornet, I use the 35-grain Hornady V-Max. In 6.5X55 Swede, I use remington bulk 140-grain softnoses. In .30-06 I like either bulk 165 grain bullets or 180 grain Nosler PJs. For the 7mm Rem Mag, I like a 154 grain Nosler PJ for hunting, and for the .35 Brown-Whelen I like the 225 grain Nosler PJ for hunting.
Plastic Cowboy
Member
Right now my favorite caliber to play with (note I did not say anything about real world usefulness) is my 500 S&W magnum Hi-Viz.
For mild, indoor range friendly, target loads I use a 350gr Berry's plated flat nose over 13gr. of Trail Boss. Very mild subsonic load that is easy on the hands and ears. I can even shoot this one one handed!! Extremely accurate if you hold high to compensate for low velocity.
On the other hand when I need to defend myself from a the roving packs of Tyrannosaurs that plague southern Minnesota I stick a heavy bullet on top of a max charge of Lil'Gun from Hogdon's website load data. I've used 500gr Hornady (great bullet but expensive), 350 & 440 gr CPB hardcast (another great bullet but still kind of pricey and very slight barrel leading, and my current favorite: Remington 385gr core locked hollowpoint over 41 gr Lil'Gun for a muzzle velocity of about 1850 fps. This generates a dinosaur crushing 2925 ft-lbs of energy!!!!.
The full metal jacket keeps the barrel very clean, the high velocity make the bullet extraordinarily accurate over long ranges, and I can get a 100 count bag of these at Cabela's for about the cost of 50 count from the other brands!!!
I swear when I light off one of these big boys it makes my voice deeper and grows more hair on my chest.
There is just nothing more satisfying then stepping up to the line with this obscenely large monster and having crap fall off the shooting bench because of the shockwave. I always hear someone look up and say "Holy Sh*t - What the hell was that!!!"
You big bore power junkies know what I'm talking about right??
For mild, indoor range friendly, target loads I use a 350gr Berry's plated flat nose over 13gr. of Trail Boss. Very mild subsonic load that is easy on the hands and ears. I can even shoot this one one handed!! Extremely accurate if you hold high to compensate for low velocity.
On the other hand when I need to defend myself from a the roving packs of Tyrannosaurs that plague southern Minnesota I stick a heavy bullet on top of a max charge of Lil'Gun from Hogdon's website load data. I've used 500gr Hornady (great bullet but expensive), 350 & 440 gr CPB hardcast (another great bullet but still kind of pricey and very slight barrel leading, and my current favorite: Remington 385gr core locked hollowpoint over 41 gr Lil'Gun for a muzzle velocity of about 1850 fps. This generates a dinosaur crushing 2925 ft-lbs of energy!!!!.
The full metal jacket keeps the barrel very clean, the high velocity make the bullet extraordinarily accurate over long ranges, and I can get a 100 count bag of these at Cabela's for about the cost of 50 count from the other brands!!!
I swear when I light off one of these big boys it makes my voice deeper and grows more hair on my chest.
There is just nothing more satisfying then stepping up to the line with this obscenely large monster and having crap fall off the shooting bench because of the shockwave. I always hear someone look up and say "Holy Sh*t - What the hell was that!!!"
You big bore power junkies know what I'm talking about right??
BsChoy
Member
Hornady all the way. In the following flavors:
308-168 Amax
224-60 vmax
8mm-150 interlock
more accurate than any other I have used thus far
308-168 Amax
224-60 vmax
8mm-150 interlock
more accurate than any other I have used thus far
Plastic Cowboy
Member
as velocity gets up towards 2000 fps lead bullets (even with gas check) start to foul the barrel and believe me, lead fouling can be a real bastard to clean out!!
:banghead:
:banghead:
Clark
Member
33 gr Vmax in a .223
Pumpkinheaver
Member
I have 2 favorite loads and they are both .45s.
The first is .45acp loaded with my homecast 230gr TC bullet. It has much more impact then the RN load of the same weight.
The second is the 45-70 loaded with my homecast 420gr roundnose flat point bullets.
The first is .45acp loaded with my homecast 230gr TC bullet. It has much more impact then the RN load of the same weight.
The second is the 45-70 loaded with my homecast 420gr roundnose flat point bullets.
hossfly
Member
3
240 JHP/XTP in 44 Mag (WW296)
140 JHP/XTP in 357 (2400)
148 HBWC in 38 (Bullseye)
Bushmaster, I assume you're referring to the Remington SJHP in 357. Have you shot the Hornady and if so, have you had to make any charge adjustments or sight adjustment. The Remingtons are a tad cheaper and if I wouldn't be giving up any quality, I wouldn't mind using them.
240 JHP/XTP in 44 Mag (WW296)
140 JHP/XTP in 357 (2400)
148 HBWC in 38 (Bullseye)
Bushmaster, I assume you're referring to the Remington SJHP in 357. Have you shot the Hornady and if so, have you had to make any charge adjustments or sight adjustment. The Remingtons are a tad cheaper and if I wouldn't be giving up any quality, I wouldn't mind using them.
The Bushmaster
Member
Hossfly...You are quite correct. They are Remington 140 SJHP. I use Hornady 140 grain JHP XTP also. I have not seen any difference in point of aim or velocity using the same powder, case or primer. In the Colt I use Alliant 2400 and in the Ruger I use W-296. I normally use the Hornady's for hunting and self defence in the mountains on horse back. Have, yet, to shot any animals with the XTP's, but have shot two deer with the Remington 140's from a Colt SAA 4 3/4" barrel. Both were lung/heart shots and dropped the deer after a fifty yard dash. Recovered bullet showed good form...80-85% recovery and a good mushroom. But then again Remington has always been my go to bullet. I'm not one to use the "Ultra Fancy Kills All" bullets. I believe in the KISS rule. If it works, it's good. I use Speer and Sierra for my rifles and mostly Remington for my handguns. Just for that reason. They cost less and they do the J O B. Remember...Results may very from gun to gun...
I'm not one to use the "Ultra Fancy Kills All" bullets. I believe in the KISS rule. If it works, it's good. I use Speer and Sierra for my rifles and mostly Remington for my handguns. Just for that reason. They cost less and they do the J O B. Remember...Results may very from gun to gun...Redneck with a 40
Member
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I load 40 S&W, my favorite load is 5.1 grains of Unique behind a 180 grain lead truncated cone bullet, this load pushes about 900 fps. This load is accurate, mild recoil, no barrel leading, and I can get 500 bullets from Oregon Trail for $35 with shipping.
I've also loaded some 155 grain Speer Gold dot bullets with 7.5 grains of Unique, this pushes 1225 fps, over 500 ft lbs energy.
I've also loaded some 155 grain Speer Gold dot bullets with 7.5 grains of Unique, this pushes 1225 fps, over 500 ft lbs energy.
Black Snowman
Member
178 grain Hornady A-Max in my 30 cals.
I really like the Hornady XTPs in pistols.
I really like the Hornady XTPs in pistols.
hossfly
Member
Bushmaster....
Interesting stuff and we have the same K.I.S.S. philosophy. I've been handloading, shooting, and hunting with both guns and bows for 20 years now (hunting for more than that) and it's amazing how your priorities change as you gain age and experience. When I first started, I strove to make 300 mags out of '06's. Then I was only satisfied with cloverleafs and didn't care how much time and obsession I had to get them. Now, with rifles, if it'll kill deer economically, it's good enough.
I do play with my handgun loads a little more though. I found your 357 load interesting because I just settled on it myself. My model 27-2 really likes the 140 Hornady. I use 15.5 grains of 2400 with a CCI550. Remington and Winchester brass with no difference at the chrony. My 6 inch barrel averages 1315 fps. When I was working up I actually got slightly tighter groups out of 15 grains.
Note to any new loaders reading this. Please do not jump right into these loads. The ONLY safe way to handload is to work them up in your gun.
Interesting stuff and we have the same K.I.S.S. philosophy. I've been handloading, shooting, and hunting with both guns and bows for 20 years now (hunting for more than that) and it's amazing how your priorities change as you gain age and experience. When I first started, I strove to make 300 mags out of '06's. Then I was only satisfied with cloverleafs and didn't care how much time and obsession I had to get them. Now, with rifles, if it'll kill deer economically, it's good enough.
I do play with my handgun loads a little more though. I found your 357 load interesting because I just settled on it myself. My model 27-2 really likes the 140 Hornady. I use 15.5 grains of 2400 with a CCI550. Remington and Winchester brass with no difference at the chrony. My 6 inch barrel averages 1315 fps. When I was working up I actually got slightly tighter groups out of 15 grains.
Note to any new loaders reading this. Please do not jump right into these loads. The ONLY safe way to handload is to work them up in your gun.
The Bushmaster
Member
Hossfly...Look for PM...
bpisler
Member
38spl,any 158gr LSWC will do,my S&W 10-7
isn't picky about bullets.
357mag,140gr XTP's or 158gr LSWC's from
Bear creek,these are moly coated.
44spl,Bear creek 240gr moly coated LSWC's
work fine in my old charter arms bulldog.
isn't picky about bullets.
357mag,140gr XTP's or 158gr LSWC's from
Bear creek,these are moly coated.
44spl,Bear creek 240gr moly coated LSWC's
work fine in my old charter arms bulldog.
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