Cast Bullets: Weight vs. Metplat vs. Velocity in 45 Colt & 44 Mag

StrawHat · Oct 27, 2023

Scooter1942 said:
…Kevin,

Well, sadly my woods are more urban from a day-to-day perspective. However, I spend a fair amount of time on my brother-in-law's property where feral hogs are a nuisance. Additionally, I regularly find myself in far west Texas (Big Bend area) where hogs, javalina, some black bear and big cats roam. Additionally, I spend about a month fly fishing and camping in the Rockies. Usually in northern New Mexico or Southern Colorado, but sometimes as far north as Montana and even Canada. Wyoming, Idaho and Utah are also occasionally in the mix …

That is quite a bit of territory and many different jurisdictions to consider carrying a sidearm. I will not attempt to sort that out for you, except Canada. DO NOT TRY TO CROSS THE BORDER WITH A SIDEARM. If you have a Canadian carry permit, you will be fine. If not…

Okay, with that out of the way, any of the bullets you mention will be fine. As posted previously, a gas check is of little help in handgun loads. Size and lube is much more a factor in preventing leading.

And, if it were me, my choices would be the same as I mentioned in my previous post.

Here are three hard hitting bullets.

strawhat-albums-strawhat-3-a-picture27002-img-7969-a.jpeg

(edited to identify bullets)

On the left is the SAECO 453, a 235-240 grain full wadcutter.

The middle bullet is the Accurate Mold 45-253M, 253 grain, rnfp.

The right bullet is the Arsenal 45-250 full wadcutter.

I load all three over hardball doses of powder.

Scooter1942 said:
… That said, these aren't my only "woods" guns. I also have a Glock 20 that has been optimized for heavy 10mm loads. That would probably be my "go to" in bear country, but it really is situational. Kinda like picking out which boots and hat I'm going to wear that day!…

That is an easy one, I have eight pair of black boots, various makers but close enough that most would not recognize if I wore a mixed pair. Hats, several shades of grey, a couple palm and one black hat. Like I said, easy!

Kevin

Alk8944 · Oct 29, 2023

StrawHat said:
much more a factor in preventing leading.

Here are three hard hitting bullets.

Kevin

Other than the LBT WFN what are the two wad-cutters? The post and photo are worthless without that information!

StrawHat · Oct 29, 2023

Alk8944 said:
Other than the LBT WFN what are the two wad-cutters? The post and photo are worthless without that information!

Mea Culpa! I thought there would be no interest in those. Bullets. I edited my post to reflect this information.

“…On the left is the SAECO 453, a 235-240 grain full wadcutter.

The middle bullet is the Accurate Mold 45-253M, 253 grain, rnfp.

The right bullet is the Arsenal 45-250 full wadcutter...”

Kevin

Shibadog · Oct 30, 2023

StrawHat said:
It helps to know what revolvers you are using.

It would also help to know in what “woods” you will be walking. Loads for Pennsylvania and Ohio woods will be different from Maine loads, Montana loads, etc.

Me, I carry an ACP revolver of some sort with a 240 grain full wadcutter over hardball doses of powder. It makes a good hunting and defensive round.

Kevin

This. Alaska or Montana have a lot different threat levels than most of the rest of the country. For MOSat place a 240 gr 44/45 @900+ will deal with anything you’re likely to encounter. In BIG bear country I’d want a big heavier pill at a bit more velocity. I like mild .44 mags a bunch, but when we’re out west where the big bears are a heavy .44 just seems a better option. Around home I’ve usually got a mid .357 along.

Cast Bullets: Weight vs. Metplat vs. Velocity in 45 Colt & 44 Mag

StrawHat

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Alk8944

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StrawHat

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Shibadog

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