ORIGINAL: sabotloader
While I agree with you 70 grains doesn't seem like a lot of powder, the velocity of the those 460's should be plenty. I will probably in the end move to 80 grains for the final hunting load. I am just trying to figure how to shoot grenades. 80 grains of 3f will drive that bullet @ 1500fps which for that size chunk of lead is moving on by most peoples measurements.
Mike,
One shouldn't judge that load by the powder. That 460 NE gets more out of that 70 grains than a lighter bullet. In fact around 35% more energy than a 300 grain projectil. This is because it will develop more pressure, which elevates muzzle energy. Peak pressure is probably just a little less than 100 grains 2f 777 and 300 grain saboted bullet. So 70 grains will definitely work well for thumping.
I may be wrong, but I personally prefer the 460, with impact energy equal to a 300 grain bullet, for a number of reasons. Yes the energies are the same, but there is more momentum behind the 460, meaning it can penetrate deeper. Its slower velocity means that it will waste less energy at the surface and enter the vitals with more energy. Fast bullets do waste considerabe energy at the surface which is why we put jackets on the things, so they won't fly apart. Jackets do help to prevent fast movingbullets from flying apart, but they don't keep them from wasting a greater proportion of their energy at the surface. Had chap ran a 460 charged with 70 grains up that doe's anus, it (the 460 NE) would never have been recovered the way the 300 gold dot was. Would have gone right through her.
If you take an animal with this load, I think you will be very impressed with how it knocked the snot out of it and with so little powder.