- Joined
- Dec 19, 2011
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Went out to test my .45 caliber deer load for penetration and expansion. I used a flat of half liter water bottles since it was cheaper than gallon jugs with usable leftovers. I also thought I'd be more likely to capture the spent ball.
My rifle is a Pedersoli Kentucky marked "Ohioan" on the top flat. I bought it of a forum member last summer. Finally got it out to work up a load and sight in this month.
The hunting load I worked up is 65 grains of 3Fg Schutzen with a .50 wonder wad and a .018 Oxyoke patch with a .445 Speer ball.
I tested this load today at 35 yards (70% of my self-imposed 50 yard max) with a single shot into the flat of water bottles. On examination the ball passed fully through the flat exiting out of the bottom of the last bottle. After a brief search I found the ball about 5 yards past the target on the ground still in a very straight trajectory.
The ball was flattened to about half thickness and expanded to about 5/8 of an inch. No doubt this load is plenty medicine for deer.
This might be another helpful data point for those on the fence about .45 PRB for medium game/deer hunting.
My rifle is a Pedersoli Kentucky marked "Ohioan" on the top flat. I bought it of a forum member last summer. Finally got it out to work up a load and sight in this month.
The hunting load I worked up is 65 grains of 3Fg Schutzen with a .50 wonder wad and a .018 Oxyoke patch with a .445 Speer ball.
I tested this load today at 35 yards (70% of my self-imposed 50 yard max) with a single shot into the flat of water bottles. On examination the ball passed fully through the flat exiting out of the bottom of the last bottle. After a brief search I found the ball about 5 yards past the target on the ground still in a very straight trajectory.
The ball was flattened to about half thickness and expanded to about 5/8 of an inch. No doubt this load is plenty medicine for deer.
This might be another helpful data point for those on the fence about .45 PRB for medium game/deer hunting.
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