Which Bullet?

[paul105]

I’m setting up a HK USP full size for a backup while bow hunting elk in bear and wolf country. Biggest bear most likely would be 500Lb griz. This is not a caliber question, only a “which bullet would be most effective” question. I understand the caliber is marginal in the most extreme situations, but it is what it is.



Which bullet would you choose. Left to right – 3 monometal 200gr WFN Cutting Edge, 200gr Phillips head Lehigh, 200gr Barnes XFB – 4 hard cast 300gr LFNGC MT Bul Wks, 265gr Beartooth SWC, 230gr MT Bul Works, 250gr LFNGC Mt Bul Works.

Gun is a HK USP with 460 Rowland Conversion.

Not considering the 300gr LFNGC.

The 200gr bullets chrono at a bit over 1,300 fps

The 250 & 265gr chrono right at 1,150 fps.

No functioning issues with any of the above.

Here’s a picture of rig:





Any and all input appreciated.

Paul

[bigbrowndog]

I’d go with the first one, possibly the Phillips head, but I know nothing about their performance.

Trapr

[whitworth]

The flat nosed monolithic solid (CEB) would get the nod for me. We tested the Phillips head screw driver bullets and they failed to perform as well as the flat-nosed profiles in penetration depth and wound channel size.

[kaytod]

Far left and far right would get my nod. The 200 CE bullet and the 250 MBW bullets would get you about the same bullet dimension and seating depth in the case. the 250 lead has 20% more weight while eating up about the same real estate. Both have decent meplat's and should work well. As for defense in the bottom feeder, which ever of the two feeds the most reliably.

[tinkerpearce]

How hard is the 265gr? I'd be inclined to go with that or the 250 in a medium-hard.

[paul105]

Jul 9, 2019 17:02:36 GMT -5 kaytod said:

Far left and far right would get my nod. The 200 CE bullet and the 250 MBW bullets would get you about the same bullet dimension and seating depth in the case. the 250 lead has 20% more weight while eating up about the same real estate. Both have decent meplat's and should work well. As for defense in the bottom feeder, which ever of the two feeds the most reliably.

Thanks, was kinda leaning in that direction from the beginning. Both bullets seem to be better suited than the others to the limited capacity/OAL of the Rowland.

[paul105]

Jul 9, 2019 14:49:29 GMT -5 whitworth said:

The flat nosed monolithic solid (CEB) would get the nod for me. We tested the Phillips head screw driver bullets and they failed to perform as well as the flat-nosed profiles in penetration depth and wound channel size.

Thanks Max. I came across another test report that showed the CEB flat point to penetrate half again as much as the Lehigh Phillips head in both 10mm and .45.

[paul105]

Jul 9, 2019 19:14:34 GMT -5 tinkerpearce said:

How hard is the 265gr? I'd be inclined to go with that or the 250 in a medium-hard.

These are quite hard -- heat treated 21-22 BHN according to their website(s).

Paul

[sheriff]

Paul, I own and shoot a .460 in 1911 format. I roll my own using a hardcast (mostly linotype with jus enough lead to fill the mold correctly) using a LEE 255gr RFN bullet and Longshot for 1200 fps roughly. Feeds and functions fine in mine and would be my choice. It looks very similar to the 255gr LFN-GC you posted above.

[kaytod]

Jul 9, 2019 20:28:20 GMT -5 sheriff said:

Paul, I own and shoot a .460 in 1911 format. I roll my own using a hardcast (mostly linotype with jus enough lead to fill the mold correctly) using a LEE 255gr RFN bullet and Longshot for 1200 fps roughly. Feeds and functions fine in mine and would be my choice. It looks very similar to the 255gr LFN-GC you posted above.

The LEE 255 RFN is a great bullet too. I use it in the 45 ACP. It has about the right nose length and shape to feed in most 45 Autos. The meplat is a bit modest for some, but it's functionality is great.

[paul105]

Jul 9, 2019 20:28:20 GMT -5 sheriff said:

Paul, I own and shoot a .460 in 1911 format. I roll my own using a hardcast (mostly linotype with jus enough lead to fill the mold correctly) using a LEE 255gr RFN bullet and Longshot for 1200 fps roughly. Feeds and functions fine in mine and would be my choice. It looks very similar to the 255gr LFN-GC you posted above.

I also have a 1911 platform 460 R -- it gives me 40-50fps added velocity over the HK (5" vs 4.4" bbl or ? I guess). Have tried 800x, A#7, CFE Pistol, Silhouete and keep comeing back to longshot for best velocity and moderate pressure indications.

I have 500 of the Missouri Bullet Coated 255gr Pin Busters (similar to the Lee, but maybe smaller meplat) -- these are supposed to be 18 BHN. Have shot the same bullet but trad lubed and velocity is same as the 250gr LFN MBW.

Here's a poor picture of the bullet.



Once I got the mag spring issue figured out (needed heavier spring) I haven't had any feed issues with the HK. My 1911 conversion has fed everything without a hiccup from day one (except it won't eject std 45 ACPs).

[bula]

After wearing out all those Hogue grips testing your 329,629 and the M69's ? You go to the dark side ? I'm aghast ! I've never been aghast before, hope I spelled it right. LOL. I handled one of the HK's years ago and wished for bigger hands. I'm glad Whit chimed in about the phillips head bullets, I've been curious. 

[bula]

Whose holster ?

[paul105]

Jul 10, 2019 8:40:54 GMT -5 bula said:

Whose holster ?

alaristactical.net/index.html


Actually just helping my son develop/function test a load for his primary backup gun when bow hunting elk. He and his brother in law were surrounded by howling wolves while hiking back to the truck one night. Last year he encountered 8 different grizzlies under a hundred yards and they seem to be interested in the elk calls. Those incidents changed his view on "firepower" (he previously carried a 329). Probability is high he won't have to use it, but never say never.


I'll be carrying a 329.

Paul

[bula]

The earth is back into it's correct orbital path..sigh.