POLL: What's the best .458 solid bullet for Elephant?

[skydiver386]

I've started searching for 500 grain solids to load in my 450 Rigby and I'd like members opinions on what has worked best for them. I can probably load the 500 grainers at between 2350 and 2450fps, and this should be plenty of power if put in the right place.

I tend to prefer bullets with a crimping groove, but I did have Lee make a custom 450 Rigby Factory Crimp Die for me, so hopefully setback from recoil won't be an issue.

I would have listed the Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer Solid, but I don't believe there are currently available to hand-loaders. It is still listed in loaded ammo only.

 

[R eight]

You need to include the Woodleigh Hydro in your selection.

Woodleigh Hydrostatically Stabilized 45 Cal (458 Diameter) Bullets 450

Woodleigh has been producing bullets since the late 1970s. Producing primarily dangerous game rifle bullets composed of copper, zinc and a pure lead...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[BJH65]

You forgot to mention the 500 grain Woodleigh Hydro Solid! Worked perfectly on my elephant in avatar. Side brain, 40 yards, exit like hot knife through butter.

 

[375Fox]

I think you’d have to ask PHs to really get a knowledgeable sample group. My personal thought process would be to choose a monolithic solid like Barnes or Cutting edge. Cup point solid might be great for buffalo, but I wouldn’t want a bullet designed to deform on an elephant frontal brain shot. The lead core FMJ solids like Hornady or Trophy bonded sledgehammers can potentially bend affecting straight line penetration.

 

[skydiver386]

You need to include the Woodleigh Hydro in your selection.

Woodleigh Hydrostatically Stabilized 45 Cal (458 Diameter) Bullets 450

Woodleigh has been producing bullets since the late 1970s. Producing primarily dangerous game rifle bullets composed of copper, zinc and a pure lead...

www.midwayusa.com

Done.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Ditto. Can’t vote as the Hydro is absent. I’m no expert, but the one .458 solid I sent was a Hydro from my 450NE and immediately dropped this old gent…side brain.

 

[skydiver386]

Ditto. Can’t vote as the Hydro is absent. I’m no expert, but the one .458 solid I sent was a Hydro from my 450NE and immediately dropped this old gent…side brain. View attachment 792711

I just added the Woodleigh.

Are these still available? Midway says discontinued.

 

[BJH65]

I bought Federal Factory loaded 458 Lott Woodleigh 500 grain Hydro Solid direct from Federal but they have since discontinued them. I did not chrono but stated velocity was 2300 FPS.

Maybe an AH member has some Woodleigh Hydro bullets they might sell?

 

[mark-hunter]

I bought Rhino Solids, I hoped to see their ranking on the list.

My ele went down with DGS.

 

[matt85]

My top two choices would be the Swift Break-Away and the Woodleigh Hydro.

 

[skydiver386]

Some bullets I didn't list because they are not available. At least I couldn't find any sources for the Rhino, Woodleigh or Trophy Bonded Sledgehammer.

For once, Swift bullets are actually available, although Midway has them listed at $166.99 for 24 of them.

The Barnes are actually a round nose design in .458 500gr.

 

[Mark458]

CEB flat point solids get my vote. Shot my charging buffalo this year with them out of my 404 Jeffery. Went in the throat, through the spine and went entire length of the buffalo and exited the hind quarter. Can't get any better penetration than that.

 

[skydiver386]

I'm curious how this design from Lehigh would perform. Unfortunately the heaviest .458dia bullet they make in this design is 305gr, and there is no way I'd hunt in Africa with a bullet more appropriate for a 45-70. Now if they made a 450 or 500gr? I'd be first in line to give it a go.

 

[towserthemouser]

You need to include the Woodleigh Hydro in your selection.

Woodleigh Hydrostatically Stabilized 45 Cal (458 Diameter) Bullets 450

Woodleigh has been producing bullets since the late 1970s. Producing primarily dangerous game rifle bullets composed of copper, zinc and a pure lead...

www.midwayusa.com

@R eight Please advise where you have had success finding Woodleigh Hydros; I have searched and searched and have not found them listed for sale and in stock anywhere... The Midway link that you provided shows them "discontinued"

 

[Mark458]

@R eight Please advise where you have had success finding Woodleigh Hydros; I have searched and searched and have not found them listed for sale and in stock anywhere... The Midway link that you provided shows them "discontinued"

Their softs are difficult enough to find, but as you mentioned I have not seen any Hydros in any caliber anywhere.

 

[skydiver386]

The Swift appears to be a very close copy of the Woodleigh, but with a plastic nose cap to aid feeding. Given their availability, I may buy a few boxes of the Swift Breakaway Solids in 375, 416 and 458 to test.

 

[Mark458]

I'm having some North Fork CPS loaded in 500J and 458 Lott. These are both heavy for caliber. I'm anxious to see how they perform. They appear to have the same slight expansion as the Woodleigh Hydro does. They have been available on North Forks sight in many calibers.

 

[375Fox]

The Swift appears to be a very close copy of the Woodleigh, but with a plastic nose cap to aid feeding. Given their availability, I may buy a few boxes of the Swift Breakaway Solids in 375, 416 and 458 to test.

I googled swift breakaway solids to see a cut out. This thread came up with a photo of a bent bullet. That’s the risk of lead core FMJ solids. The woodleigh hydro is monolithic.

Thread 'Real world results and experiences with Swift Break-Away solid ?'

Nov 15, 2024

I bought two boxes of 300 grain Break-Away solids to develop a load for my .375 H&H. I have searched, but it seems there is not a whole lot of data out there yet on these solids from actual use. They look like a great option, definitely pricy, but I would be interested in hearing more about how these are actually performing in the field. I have been using the CEB Safari Solids but am experiencing bullet setback in the magazine under recoil. If I seat the CEB solid out to crimp between first two driving bands to eliminate setback, the OAL is too long for my magazine. Thinking the Swift...

• roklok
• Replies: 20
• Forum: .375 & up

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[R eight]

@R eight Please advise where you have had success finding Woodleigh Hydros; I have searched and searched and have not found them listed for sale and in stock anywhere... The Midway link that you provided shows them "discontinued"

I’m Australian. As you would expect plenty available here. As to the USA….. I’m surprised they are not readily available. However I don’t have any information to assist.

Hopefully someone on here may know of a US source.

 

[50Gunner]

For vintage doubles I like the North Fork flat nosed solids, I believe they are kinder to the old steel being somewhat softer than the Naval Bronze/brass solids of other makes but still more than hard enough not to deform at sedate double rifle velocities.

That said, the 458 cal CEB #13 Safari solids have no peer on all I have tested, have driven the 400gr CEB #13 solids to a full 2600+ fps into seasoned sticks of Hickory wood, it is extremely hard wood, imho harder and more dense than ANY animal tissue, hide or bone, including Elephant skull.

I have in no way been able to bend or otherwise distort that solid driven at very high speeds shot into those Hickory slabs sitting on my butt five feet away, for high pressure/velocity modern bolt action hunting rifle solids they are my pick of the litter, they are also available in stock and ready to ship.