45 Colt bullet hardness for deer

J

JJ45

New member
I've been loading Montana Bullet Works lead bullets for a 4.58" Ruger BH and want to take it hunting.

Sized .454 the RCBS mold SSA Keith type semi wadcutter weighs in at 290 grains and are consistent and accurate and leading is minimal. The ones I have now have a BHN of 15 but Montana also offers them at 20 BHN

Using 7.5 grains of Unique behind this bullet what would you say the best BHN hardness should be to give good performance on deer and black bear at ranges under 75 Yards (mostly well under :)) Do you advise 15 or 20?

I haven't chronographed this load but I think I'm probably getting around 900 fps.
 
Personally, I'd try the 15bhn first. This should give you a little bit of bullet deformation, IE possible expansion, maaaybe a little bit of lead shedding but probably only in the wound channel which you arnt gonna eat anyway. The 20s Id be a bit mpre concerned with a pass through obviously. Either way, on deer and small blackies those will certainly bag your game if you place the shot ok.

Let us know how it works out.
 
Since you are getting minimal leading, I see no advantage in going to 20 BNN. 15 BHN is hard enough for the hunting you have planned.
 
At the velocities that you are shooting with your load, it does not matter which one you shoot. Go for the most accurate.

There will be no expansion or deformation unless you hammer a bullet thru a big bone unless you are using a BHN 8-10 at those velocities, and you ain't gonna find any of those from a commercial manufacturer.
 
Thanks, I will stay with what I got then, but I think I would rather have the penetration with little or know expansion. Where I hunt is thick bush where a blood trail is a necessity.

Having hunted with rifle and bow for years here (Pa.) a good hit is vital or you might never find your deer. I'll go with your advice and let you know what happens, IF I get a shot with the Ruger.
 
Using the Keith design, you have a decent meplat on the bullet and that is what makes it work. And, you are right on the money when you want penetration. I am not happy unless I have a in hole and an out hole. Gotta have it. Good luck with them. You should do well.
 
8 gr. of Unique gives 924, 9gr. gives 991 with my preferred 280gr. SAA Army from Matt's Bullets. Don't know the hardness, but I use 10gr of Unique for 1050 in my Bisley Blackhawk with 5.5" barrel. My son used this load to take a 150# hog, penetrating from eye socket through a ham. Bullet was never recovered, but a fist sized exit hole. Just love those heavy bullets in 45 Colt!
 
Swaged pure lead will work as well as any hardened bullet. No hardened bullets in the 19th Century. Lots of venison and bear eaten though.
 
That's a good point O'Heir, as usual we hafta go and complicate matters :)

From a .50 or .54 cal muzzleloader, regular soft lead is the ticket. And round balls, no less.
 
I cast all my handgun bullets to a BHN 8 to a BHN 14 depending on the cartridge and intended usage.

My rifle bullets are no harder than wheel weights which is around BHN 15 or 16.

I do not believe in all the "hardcast" crapola. It is detrimental to my cause of creating usable hunting bullets. I guess if I was shooting elephant, hippo or rhino, I might consider something harder.

I do use home made round balls in all my muzzle loaders. Nothing else.

I cast a bullet for the 9mm that will give almost double caliber expansion when shot at 40 yds, but it is not a penetrating bullet. Nephew tried to kill a hog using it and it did not go to thru the bone.
 
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