Papabear55
AH enthusiast
Anyone have any experience with these for elk size game or larger? Im loading some up now that seem to shoot pretty well in my marlin SBL at a estimated 1650fps
Ive considered loading the 405gr woodleighs but they are out of stock at the moment and the swifts are $74 a boxI can’t comment on this bullet for elk but I have used it in a 14” Contender handgun on deer. One was a front quartering shot thru the shoulder and exited at the back of the far ribs. Destruction between was extensive. The second was a lung shot, tearing them up and exiting.
My guess that out to 100 yds it would be OK for elk but I would question it’s abilities on anything larger as it is a “soft” bullet.
Because you are looking at elk and larger, I’d look at the Barnes 300 gr TSX FN and the 400gr Swift FN and load them near max.
I don’t know what you want to hunt that is bigger than an elk but I think the Speer’s are kind of maxed out at elk as they are a fairly soft bullet and not of Speer’s Hot-Core design.Ive considered loading the 405gr woodleighs but they are out of stock at the moment and the swifts are $74 a box
I don’t know what you want to hunt that is bigger than an elk but I think the Speer’s are kind of maxed out at elk as they are a fairly soft bullet and not of Speer’s Hot-Core design.
Another bullet I thought of is Barnes 400 gr Buster.
Have any of you used the 405gr woodleighs?
Pm sentI loaded up the 405gr Woodleigh for an Elk hunt some years ago. Never did pull the trigger on one.
I do have 89 of them on the bench that you can own, if you want to give them a whirl. Definitely a bullet that would still be on my short list if hunting Elk with a 45-70.
I haven't used them, but the Speer manuals indicate the 350 gr .458 bullet is designed for the larger game and higher velocities, rather than the 400 grain. A few guys I know that use the 45/70 for elk use the 350 gr Speer and have no complaints about it.
I have some 405gr woodleighs floating around as well as some 405gr hardcast. I just have a damn accurate load and about 400 of the speers floating around. Most of my hunting is deer and elk, if i get moved back to alaska or somewhere i can hunt bigger game I'll probably move to hardcast or woodleighs onlyThe tube magazine limits you a bit. I have used the old rem 405 gr bullets on black bear that worked well, they exited so can't comment on how bullet held up.
Some good hard cast bullets might be an option if you want tougher.
The swift Aframe would be good for anything but I have just used them in a bolt action, I am not sure they make one for use in a lever. If they do be damned with the price and try them! Bullets are probably the cheapest part of a hunt, but the most important if you get a shot.
It does look like swift makes an a frame in a 400 grain flat nose. I would , and probably will if I can find them in Canada, grab them for the 45/70.
Craig
I’ve had very good results with Imr4198 and 300-325 grain bullets from a Henry single shot.Speer 400gr SP is a soft bullet. I prefer the 350gr Speer FN in my Marlin 1895 Trapper for Moose hunting. Crimp @ 2.600” OAL my load of IMR 4198 is outstanding with WW Brass and WLR primers.
excellent bullet performs like a Bonded Bullet very good weight retention .