Remington bulk 45-70 405 gn projectile question

[Old Tom]

I recently bought some of these projectiles and was delighted to find they shoot extremely well in my marlin, I have them coming out at 1880 fps but a friend suggested they might not hold together at such high impact velocities, (I am chasing sambar deer and elk sized beast) can anyone with any experience with these bullets support this contention?

[me]

Hey Old Tom welcome to the forum... I have not pushed them faster than factory, but I have no doubt they will hold together.
we do jug test here and you might give it or paper a try... If ya can catch it

[ArneJ]

I shot a big doe with one last fall. Muzzle velocity was just over 1800 FPS. Quartering hard to me at about 40 yards. Shot hit just in front of near shoulder and bullet exited at last rib on far side. Without hitting heavy bone it went right through the deer, with well over a foot of penetration.

A buddy shot the same type REM 405 grain bullet at only about 1450 FPS and killed two hogs with a single bullet. So at about 1400 FPS impact velocity it penetrates just fine!

If I were to load this bullet for elk sized game I'd probably back it off to about 1650 FPS muzzle velocity though. That would keep the trajectory a bit flatter than my buddy's load without risk of penetration issues. I think impact velocity of 1400-1600 is about ideal for the bullet - but that is based on only two known shots and anecdotal evidence from people on the web.

Also, I've chronographed some REM factory loads, and they aren't even close to listed velocity in my 24" XLR or my buddy's 22" 45-70. They run around 1100 FPS at best, even though the box says 1330 FPS. At the speeds we get with factory ammo I'd bet that the bullet acts like a solid - which would give great penetration, but no useful expansion.
Arne

[MICAH]

Great video!

[Pard]

1450 to 1550 is optimum for the 405. The faster they go, the less they do.
Ive been slowing mine down from 1750.

[SgtDog0311]

me, Great video!! That's some familiar looking countryside. Anxious to get back to the northwest - two more weeks. Being by myself while I'm there it's gonna take me a long time to collect that many milk jugs. :-)

[Waldo]

As I have mentioned elsewhere old tom, they are a great Sambar pill just keep velocities reasonable. Trajectory at those speeds is also quite good in "sambar" territory. I have mine zero'ed at about 125m which means anything up 175m I don't have to think too hard about hold points.
One chance at a Sambar with the 45/70 so far and one stag down, gotta be happy.
I also have loaded up some Woodleigh 405's but haven't tried them yet.
Cheers,
Waldo

[BEACON]

The highest I had them loaded was to about 1920 fps, and when I tested them in water-filled milk jugs, I had core-jacket separation. Recoil was a little on the brutal side, as well, using the factory recoil pad. Personally, I think pushing them that fast isn't necessary, in the first place, and is starting to exceed their design parameters in the second place. Never shot any beasties with them, but that's just my opinion. I'm inclined to agree that around 1600 fps strikes the sweet spot and is the best compromise giving optimum expansion and penetration. Others may feel differently.

[smokinjoe]

it's gonna take me a long time to collect that many milk jugs

Use water-filled plastic bags.

[me]

Use water-filled plastic bags.

smokinjoe LIKE 50 1 GAL ZIP LOCKS

Walmart.com: Great Value: Distilled Water, 1 Gal: Beverages

PRICE CHECK LOL currently 1 gal of distilled water is 88 cents each.

I know what your thinking but if you were reloading it really wouldn't hurt that bad $19.36 for this test