454 casull bullets?

[CAM2]

I plan on loading some hunting rounds soon for my 12 inch barreled encore topped with a 4X leupold and I was hoping that some one can give me some recommendations on some loads, bullet weights and styles. I will be hunting southern whitetails primarily at ranges within a 100 yards and possibly an occasional longer shot provided that I feel confident taking those shots after a lot of practice with a good load.
thanks.

[eldeguello]

I use the 265-grain Cast Performance LBT flatnose gascheck bullet with 28 grains of 2400 powder in Starline cases for my .454 Taurus Raging Bull. In my 5.5" ported barrel, it produces 1550 FPS, and would no doubt give a lot more velocity in your long barrel. But the main point is that, althhough a "reduced load" for a .454, this is a plenty powerful enough combo for shooting the largest whitetail that ever roamed the woods! That flat nose tears one big hole completely through a deer, even if it hits in the front under the chin or in the ham!

Also very accurate in my revolver.

[CAM2]

thanks eldeguello. why did you decide on using a cast bullet instead of a jacketed soft point or hollow point? was it to get good penetration because of lower velocities due to the short barrel?
thanks.

[handloader1]

I use Ballistic Advantage Boar-Slammer Premium Hunting Bullets. For a friend I loaded 260 gr. WFN GC LBT style bullet for mule deer. He didn't get a chance to use them on a deer, but they sure crater, and rock a steel gong (I don't remember how fast they were going). Good luck.

[eldeguello]

ORIGINAL: CAM2 thanks eldeguello. why did you decide on using a cast bullet instead of a jacketed soft point or hollow point? was it to get good penetration because of lower velocities due to the short barrel? thanks.

Hard lead bullets provide much more reliable penetration than jacketed ones. In addition, those with big wide noses like the LBT designs make horrendous wound channels all the way through and out the other side. I like good blood trails, since no firearm that a man can carry and shoot can be relied upon to drop big game in its tracks every time!

No doubt, my shorter barrel will not produce as high a velocity as the longer ones, but I load my rounds to the 1550 MV level on purpose, because I have used the Win. factory loads, and found I did not need the higher performance level they provide!