If you had to use a cast bullet

the thin humans ..... I live in one of the fattest states in the fattest country in the world ..... the shame of it is that the poorest segment of the population is also the heaviest.
 
I suspect either will do.... But I like slow and heavy (nothing scientific here :) ). So a 255g SWC would do just fine. FYI, I shoot nothing but lead in .45 Colt and all other calibers for that matter anymore.
 
Thanks Magnum Wheel Man. I have to say that is the most unique and coolest snub nosed revolver I have ever seen. Put a set of pearl or ivory grips on it and you could almost see Doc Holiday carrying it.
 
There are a lot of variables in cast bullets

Hollow points cast from an appropriate alloy are every bit as effective as jacketed hollow points. Non-expanding designs rely on their shape and weight to provide performance. Large flat meplat designs tend to be the best performers, and in my opinion, the heavier the better (within reason).

Light weight bullets rely on velocity to achieve good penetration. The momentum of a heavier bullet allows it to penetrate deeper at the low velocities typically seen with short barrels. The bullet has to get to vitals to do it's job, and we can not always assume that the shot will be fron to back with no major skeletal structure in the way. The shot could easily be from the side, requiring a shot that penetrates the upper arm or shoulder, or the assailant may be facing us, but pointing a gun with both hands, once again increasing the odds that the bullet has a lot of work to do before reaching the vitals.

Years ago there was an article in one of the gun rags that explored the performance of various bullet weights in snub nose revolvers. In almost every case, the heavier bullets out performed the lighter bullets.

My general purpose load in .45 Colt uses LBTs outstanding Ogival Wadcutter bullet, weighing in a about 265grns when cast from wheel weight alloy. Water quenching brings the hardness to about a 21BHN. This bullet has a front meplat that is nearly full caliber. It penetrates deep and crushes pretty much anything in it's path. Wound diameter will depend on impact velocity, but even at an estimated 750-800fps, I have poked 1/2"+ holes completely through more than one deer. This bullet does the job, and I would have no issues using it for defensive purposes.

My second choice would be a true Kieth style bullet. I would only select the original 255grn RNFP as a last resort in a heavy bullet, but would probably choose it over a 200grn bullet. Light weight and low velocity are not a good combination in my experience. Heavy for caliber is the way to go.

JW
 
I vote for the 255gr bullet. I've had pretty good luck with 255gr cast bullets in my S&W 25-5. I also like the 250gr and 300gr Hornady XTPs if you're looking for a jacketed bullet. I don't push my Colt loads too fast so I like a heavier bullet for the extra thump.

Stu
 
Check out the Lee 230 grain truncated cone tumble-lube bullet mold.

(if that doesn't make a big enough hole, how about load it backwards so it presents as a wadcutter?)
 
Don't think it would make a bit of difference, but I shoot 255 Keith's out of my Blackhawk so that's what I'd use. They are both going to cut a full caliber hole through a human and 55gr. of lead is a non-issue.
 
All interesting answers, but WHY? What is requiring you to use a cast bullet load?
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I was wondering the same thing....
Personally, I tend to favor lead over jacketed 90% of the time as a matter of choice - not as a requiment.
 
By volume, I shoot almost excusively lead handloads in 45 Colt... but my deer hunting load uses XTP's, & since I also carry a 45 Colt for CCW, I do shoot Gold Dots in the carry gun...
 
All interesting answers, but WHY? What is requiring you to use a cast bullet load?
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If he is anything like me, a bullet caster, I do not buy any commercial jacketed bullets or cartridges for any of my handguns. For something like the .45 Colt, a jacketed bullet arguably has little/no advantage over one that we cast at home...he just wants to know what weight cast bullet would perform better.
 
If he is anything like me, a bullet caster, I do not buy any commercial jacketed bullets or cartridges for any of my handguns. For something like the .45 Colt, a jacketed bullet arguably has little/no advantage over one that we cast at home...he just wants to know what weight cast bullet would perform better
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I also cast my own bullets for most rounds. Especially 45 Colt for my "Cowboy" guns. However,
if you had to use a cast bullet
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and
This would be for personal protection against bad guys.
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These are the parts of the post that made me curious.
Certainly for lots of shooting practice, or Cowboy Action competition the cast bullet has a great economic advantage. But I don't see it as much with carry rounds. Not that a cast bullet can't be efective in a SD round, especially a large caliber one. I just don't understand the "had to" part.

But to answer the bullet weight question I'd say go with more lead! 255 grain!
 
At this point, the guys will drag out the ballistic gelatin data and cite things like velocity, energy ballistic coefficient and penetration tests.

I know that anything that you punch a hole in that's almost 1/2" in diameter is going to hurt badly. I've been shot and frankly, didn't like it a lot.

I wouldn't worry about a few grains +- just so you're proficient with the pistol. Place any of those bullets listed correctly and you'll win the dispute.

Flash
 
I wouldn't worry about a few grains +- just so you're proficient with the pistol. Place any of those bullets listed correctly and you'll win the dispute.
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I "donno", 255 grains seems like a lot heaver than 200 grains.
 
If it were me, Id go with whichever shoots better in said gun, but i would sure be hoping for the heavier slug. Although as others have stated, the Buffalo Bore WC sure seems interestin.
 
I'd like to carry a cast bullet for a few reasons. First, with a short barrel using standard pressure loads I'm not sure how much expantion a hollow point would be. I'd like to run at least 1,000fps when using HP's.

Second, I'd like to practice a lot with what I carry. BB ammo is nice but expensive. I've got 200lbs of lead in my garage and lots of cheap lee molds, so if I find something effective I can make a lot of it for cheap.

Third I just like cast better when it's a large diameter. If I had to shoot through doors, windows, thick winter clothing or anything else I trust a big flat chunk more than a HP. I know lots of people will disagree with me but that's how I see it and that's what I trust.

I was thinking maybe the 200grn bullet might make a bigger splash with the higher velocity, but maybe I'm wrong. My chrono is on loan so I won't have it back for a bit. I'll do some testing and share my results when I get them.
 
I have a 44 special bulldog. I have loaded lead bullets backwards for a wadcutter. Under 2" at 15 yds. Personally I don't want pass throughs on humans, must think of bystanders.
 
I have Lymans old 180 gr full wadcutter mould in 44 Cal. It's like it was made for the Bulldog. A big meplat and also easier on the gun than the 240s. I like that boolit.
 
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