I have been shooting large lead conicals for quite a few years. I cast all my own. I have hunted with a 525 grain pure lead 50 caliber bullet in my ML. I have also hunted quite a bit with my 1885 Browning, and 1886 Winchester with 405 grain conicals poured from wheel weights(slightly harder than pure lead). I have had great success on three elk and three or four dozen deer. I have not lost a hit deer yet. But I will admit that I do not take bad shots. All my ammo is loaded between 1200 and 1600fps. I can assure you these loads, and bullets are devastating on game. Broadside shots normally always have an exit if no bone contact. Normally I shoot for the front shoulder, and when you hit the shoulder with a heavy conical you just pick them up. They run no where. I shot all three elk behind the front shoulder. The farthest distance one went was 50 yards. When that big conical hit them, they just went sick. Anyone who has shot alot of game knows what I mean when I say that.

Remember one thing. All the buffalo were killed with heavy conicals, that were hand poured lead conicals that were shot out of a Sharp's rifle with open sights. So spare me the charts and drop calculations. Just get out and shoot your rifle. If you shoot enough, then everything else will take care of itself. Tom.