Unless you're after Elephant or rhino, the 420 will be fine. You can load them slow to fast depending on the trajectory you prefer. I had a load of 52gr. of H322 and a 405 gr. bullet go lengthwise through my elk. It also did the job on numerous bison and deer.

 

What about the bullet expanding? or does it create a large enough hole that it doesn't neet to expand?

I am new to cast bullets, as I usually shoot Barnes TSX in my 30-06 and (rapid expantion is what is wanted generaly.) I am not sure of the alloy used or what there is better for deer/bear.

My biggest concern is, I have learned from handloading in .308 cal that if a bullet doesn't expand then the chance of an off shot will not produce a kill. My game is hunting for meat and pleasure, not injuring game because of a bad bullet choice.

I can see the damage on these bullets being far greater then a typical RN because of the Flat face smashing its way into the animal. Is this true? or am I over thinking it?!

Dutchie

 

You're not overthinking it. A 30cal bullet might not expand but a .459 isn't going to shrink. Again, that big, flat metplat generates a shockwave so that big bullet, moving slow does all the damage you're going to need to bring your meat down and it'll likely do it with minimal damage to the surrounding meat. Limited bloodshot.

 

HAHAHA Yeah that is kinda what I thought but I was always taught there are no stupid questions...Just stupid answers!!! even when you are talking to the pros!

Thanks for the help. I am going to get 100 of the crater lites... but it is a 8-12 week waiting game. If anyone lives in BC and wants to do a large group order. I would like to arrange somthing. I can have everything sent to Lynden WA. and we will pick it up from there!

Dutchie

 

Used the 420gr "Crater" to take this spring bear at 40yards. Broke both his shoulders bones and he dropped. 50gr of H322, Win brass 2.1, CCI 200 Primer, lee factory crimp 3/4 turn. My cronograph at 10ft says 1650fps but I think it lies, as most guys are getting 1800fps (ish) with this load out of there 1895's.

Reflex used the same "Crater" bullet at a similar speed to take a great water buffalo. If he reads this post he'll fill you in on his account but the bullets performed very well. They broke the heavy leg bones of the 1800lbs beast to put it down very quick.

 

A 420gr. bullet going 1900fps is something to behold. I water quench my bullets, and with a big wide meplat, they tear a big 1.6 in. hole through the front part of the animal. No expansion needed. ON a 30 cal, I will use a softer bullet, so as it might expand. This is not as reliable as you might think, and prefer not to use the 30 cal. for cast hunting anymore. I prefer the 35 and up.

 

What about the bullet expanding? or does it create a large enough hole that it doesn't neet to expand?

I am new to cast bullets, as I usually shoot Barnes TSX in my 30-06 and (rapid expantion is what is wanted generaly.) I am not sure of the alloy used or what there is better for deer/bear.

My biggest concern is, I have learned from handloading in .308 cal that if a bullet doesn't expand then the chance of an off shot will not produce a kill. My game is hunting for meat and pleasure, not injuring game because of a bad bullet choice.

I can see the damage on these bullets being far greater then a typical RN because of the Flat face smashing its way into the animal. Is this true? or am I over thinking it?!

Dutchie

Remember, you're starting out with a bullet almost half an inch across, before any expansion. I took down a deer using a Federal 300 grain hollow point factory load. It stayed in the deer and I found that basically it bled out through the entrance wound, without damaging much meat. Hope this helps.
Punxsutawney Pete

 

I am quite impressed with his bullets. Infact I just placed another order for 500 more.
The elk I shot with his 420 crater lite at around 1800 or so looked to my like some one shoved a silver dollar clean through it, No lie!
You wont be sorry with them.

 

Alot of talk of these holes, lets see some proof / pictures with entrace and exits of these crater accounts. Always good to hold up money or rounds for size comparison.

 

Forty five caliber hole thru both lungs causes big blood leak Grasshopper

Like car thats run out of oil , animal out of blood not go far Grasshopper 8)

ya'll make me laugh!

 

Alot of talk of these holes, lets see some proof / pictures with entrace and exits of these crater accounts. Always good to hold up money or rounds for size comparison.

Heres an exit out of the bear above, the Canadian penny is 0.750 wide for reference. 420 crater broke both shoulder bones. Still, very little blood shot meat.

 

I load both, the 420's @ 1900fps and the 550's @ 1580fps...

With XS ghost ring sights the 550's are 4" high at 50 yards and dead on @ 100 yards.

I would class the 420's as an all round hunting bullet and I would use the 550's when going after anything including grizzly in heavy timber/bush.

My favorite go to load for my Marlin 1895GS are 350gr Swift A-Frames @ over 200fps though...

 

Whats your load for 1900 fps with those 420's that exactly what I'm looking for figure it'll make a fine Canada deer/moose load

 

Holy Resurection! A 3 1/2 year old thread comes back to life!

 

wow its amazing what will come up sometimes

 

May as well bring another back to life.

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/45-70-govt/87793-crater-bullet-load-data-jae-bok-young.html

 

BDJ

great story and thanks for the data