This query specifically disregards maximum and near maximum loads for all cartridges.

Apparently, .480 Ruger and .475 Linebaugh cartridges loaded as 400-grain hard cast WFN bullets @ 1000 fps are demonstrably superior taking larger game at 80 meters and closer than is a .454 Casull 360-grain hard cast WFN bullet @ 1100-1150 fps because of substantial increase of WFN cross section. If this is accurate, . . .

does/would a hard cast WFN 400-grain WFN .500 Wyoming Express @ 1000 fps be superior to the .475-inch bullet identified previously in similar degree, again because of its substantial increase of WFN cross section?

In my experience and opion there is a noticeable step up in performance from a 44 mag to a 454 when shooting Large Game such as Bison. Stepping up to the 475 from the 454 is also a step up in performance, but not as large of a step as stepping from a 44 Mag to the 454. Now stepping up from a 475 to a 500 is also a step up, but a smaller step tha when stepping up from a 454 to a 475. As witnessed at the Linebaugh seminars when properly loaded the 50's can and do out penetrate the 475, but by such of a small margin as to be meaningless.
When shootin a Bison with a 475 or 500 the impact and the amount that the rib cage moves inward (like when Ernis Shavers hit Ken Norton in the ribs) is noticably more than when a 454 hits in the same location. The 454 hitting has a noticable greater impact than the a 44 Mag does. Now a bullet from anyone of these through the heart will kill the animal, but in my experience the bigger calibers immobilize the animal quicker..

quote:

Originally posted by jwp475:
In my experience and opion there is a noticeable step up in performance from a 44 mag to a 454 when shooting Large Game such as Bison. Stepping up to the 475 from the 454 is also a step up in performance, but not as large of a step as stepping from a 44 Mag to the 454. Now stepping up from a 475 to a 500 is also a step up, but a smaller step tha when stepping up from a 454 to a 475. As witnessed at the Linebaugh seminars when properly loaded the 50's can and do out penetrate the 475, but by such of a small margin as to be meaningless.
When shootin a Bison with a 475 or 500 the impact and the amount that the rib cage moves inward (like when Ernis Shavers hit Ken Norton in the ribs) is noticably more than when a 454 hits in the same location. The 454 hitting has a noticable greater impact than the a 44 Mag does. Now a bullet from anyone of these through the heart will kill the animal, but in my experience the bigger calibers immobilize the animal quicker..

Ernie Shavers??? Since I understand your allusion, how old does that make both of us?
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From responses I received from this query on another forum, I recognize .454 Casull baseline would be better having been omitted.
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What I'm attempting to discover is significance of larger WFN of .500 WE compared with same weight (400 grains) and shape bullet in .475/.480 at same velocity (1000 fps).
1. Is wound channel severity, however you want to measure it, improved with larger OD bullet?

2. If wound channel severity improves, is this a worthwhile improvement, again, however you want to evaluate it.
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What I think I get from your reply is while each increase of approximately the same amount of OD bullet diameter yields a measurable improvement in wound severity, improvement is inversely proportional.

Jeeze-Louise, leave it to me to make a short reply into a long one. What I mean is larger bullets, all else being identical, achieve more severe wound channels, but percentage of improvement becomes less at each tier of larger bullet OD? Am I still tangled?

Excluding scarcity of components, costs -- everything except performance at 80 meters and closer (400-grain hard cast WFN @ 1000 fps) -- is 500 WE a worthwhile choice compared with .475/.480? There, I think I'm asking a relevant question.

quote:

Excluding scarcity of components, costs -- everything except performance at 80 meters and closer (400-grain hard cast WFN @ 1000 fps) -- is 500 WE a worthwhile choice compared with .475/.480? There, I think I'm asking a relevant question.

The 500 JRH and the 50 WE are ballisticaly identical and yes they are worthy of consideration the following picture is the exit hole in a Bull Elks rib cage made by a 440 grain flat point hard cast at 950 FPS





I would say that the damage is considerable and far greater tham the damage done by a 300 win mag in the same Elk

OH, JEEEZE, you forgot ENERGY DUMP--

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
OH, JEEEZE, you forgot ENERGY DUMP--

Ah yes and thankfully so.....

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
OH, JEEEZE, you forgot ENERGY DUMP--

LOL!!

jwp475,

Thanks for the ascending scale of comparison from .44 to .454 to .475 to .50.

From my experience, I completely agree about the jump from .44 to .454.

I was expecting the same from .454 to .475. It's there but not as apparent as the first jump.

Would you relate the .454 to .50 jump similar to the jump from .44 to .454?

No intended. I think it's wiser for me to shut up and listen to the guys who have been there and done that.

Thanks

I have as yet seen no really significant difference in killing power between my FA's in .475 Linebaugh and .500 WE with similar bullets and similar velocities. If you find someone who reports such a significant difference, ask them how many dozens or hundreds of animals they've shot with each, to arrive at their conclusion
No, I don't think you're going to find your justification in these armchair theories. If you WANT a .50, go ahead and get it. That's an adequate reason.

quote:

Originally posted by kenoneill:
I have as yet seen no really significant difference in killing power between my FA's in .475 Linebaugh and .500 WE with similar bullets and similar velocities. If you find someone who reports such a significant difference, ask them how many dozens or hundreds of animals they've shot with each, to arrive at their conclusion
No, I don't think you're going to find your justification in these armchair theories. If you WANT a .50, go ahead and get it. That's an adequate reason.

Very well said, most guys could not tell the difference. I also say, if you want a .50 get it and other than you just wanting it, that is all the matters.

If I had listened too others, I would have never got the 500 Mags I have. I was told they are to much for deer and will blow them in half, not true one big hole in and one big hole out. I was also told the 500 Mags were a novelty gun and that the round would die off. Now it has been over 6 years and the 500 Mag is going strong. When you start getting into the 475 Linebaugh, 500 Linebaugh, 50 WE, 500 JHR and the 460 and 500 Mags, you are not talking a real big difference in performance. It comes down to personal choice, there can be arguments about all them mentioned. Get what you want, not what others want you to get.