ORIGINAL: Pglasgow
ORIGINAL: BS
Phil, I think those hollow bases do more harm than good with high powered hunting loads.
That is why the sub-bases work so well with the 50 cal hololow base bullets, it protects the base from blowing out.
Hollow point bullets and Big game don't go together, use a solid nose bullet. You need penetration, not expansion on elk sized critters.
You are probably correct in your assessment abouthigh powered hunting loads and the hollow-base.
On hollowpoints, I don't think its cut and dry. There has to be some context. Alot of folks are complaining about powerbelts coming apart. But as one gets asking questions and hearing reports, one finds that with the same charge, the bullet blows up at 30 yards and miraculously passes through at 120 yards.So how does ahollowpoint bullet with less oomph pass through when the faster hollowpoint blows up? I don't know. But they do just that. Report after report from those in the field who use them verify this.
Alot of folks are trying to hunt to 160 yards. I am just hunting with their last 90.Some may say it is not a hunting load. But I assureall that it is, being as good at ninety as any other at 160. I don't fear a hollowpoint on elk when they are placed double lung and they are not moving too fast (exceeding 1300 fps on impact).
That said, if I were taking 150 yard shot, I would throw the hollowpoint away and go solid. If I were taking shoulder shots or quarter towards me shots, I would go solid. I have the discipline to only take the shots I have confidence in so I don't see any problem with my using either the BB 410 HP or the GP 385 HP for elk. I also don't see any problem using a GP 410 solid point, and I might actually use it instead of either of the hollowpoints. Havn't decided yet.
Happy Hunting, Phil
My Motto has always been:
Get Close and Wackem Hard
I am a big fan of close range shots, 40 to 80 yards.......and one of the big problems with soft lead at high speeds is expansion, and the hollow point is not needed. Soft lead will expand just fine without the help of a HP. In a 50 cal you want over 400 grains, in a 54, 450.......and bigger is better.
Hollow points will work, solids will work better.[imo]
My elk gun at present, shoots a 560 grain round ball........sighted in for 75 yds......................175FF launches the ball just under 1400fps.
My slug shooter is a 54 with a 1-36 twist that shoots BB 460s.......90FF is the most accurate load...........one of the secrets to shooting BB is, the barrel maker sent me the extra lenght of barrel to make a swedger with. With a couple of wraps with a mallet, I can have a BB bore size. You just have it spin them on the bore till the groves align, then down they go.
One saftey tip about shooting Buffalo Bullets in hot weather, the lube will stick to your jag, and they may get 'sucked' back off the powder.....this has happened to me .....twice![:'(][:'(][:'(]
Get close and wackem hard
Bruce