Would a 400 gr. WFN hard cast bullet at 1000 fps be adequate for elk? I am buying a handgun next spring for a planned elk hunt next fall, and I am intrigued by the .475 Linebaugh. I am curious to know the type of penetration a slow .475 caliber WFN hard cast bullet would have.

Also, where would you try and hit the elk? Would you aim low behind the should and try to take out the heart and lungs, or would you aim for the shoulder and try to break it down?

I would have no concerns hunting elk with what you suggest. I'd shoot through the lungs if broadside or through the shoulder/lungs or lungs/shoulder if near/off quartering. Good luck to you.

I had a Speer 400 grain SP break the left femur and stop under the hide of the right shoulder on an average size cow elk. The combination you are considering should work just fine.

A 400 gr. hard cast at 1000 fps would work great, Take out the lungs and you will have a dead Elk...

Linebaugh wins!!!

Sure it would be fine but why not load for accuracy first? 26.5 gr of 296 at about 1340 fps or 15 gr of HS-6 for a lighter load, both more accurate then you can imagine.
If you can tell the difference between 1000 fps and 1300 fps, you are VERY sensitive!
I don't know the velocity of the HS-6 load but it is pleasant and super accurate.

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
Sure it would be fine but why not load for accuracy first? 26.5 gr of 296 at about 1340 fps or 15 gr of HS-6 for a lighter load, both more accurate then you can imagine.
If you can tell the difference between 1000 fps and 1300 fps, you are VERY sensitive!
I don't know the velocity of the HS-6 load but it is pleasant and super accurate.

What works in one gun may not work well in another, that is what load development for each gun is for.

If he can consistently keep his shots inside a paper plate at the range he intends to shoot in the field how much of a difference will a 1" or 3" bench rested 50 yard group really make? The "boiler" of an elk is pretty darn easy to hit in my experience.

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
Sure it would be fine but why not load for accuracy first? 26.5 gr of 296 at about 1340 fps or 15 gr of HS-6 for a lighter load, both more accurate then you can imagine.
If you can tell the difference between 1000 fps and 1300 fps, you are VERY sensitive!
I don't know the velocity of the HS-6 load but it is pleasant and super accurate.

Let's look at the numbers:

Bullet: 400 gr.
Velocity: 1340 fps
Powder: 26.5 gr.
Gun: 3.5 pounds
Recoil Velocity: 26.2 ft/s
Recoil Energy: 37.3 ft-lbs

Bullet: 400 gr.
Velocity: 1100 fps
Powder: 15 gr.
Gun: 3.5 pounds
Recoil Velocity: 20.4 ft/s
Recoil Energy: 22.6 ft-lbs

So what does that mean? Let's look at some familiar comparisons:

.44 MAG
Bullet: 310 gr.
Velocity: 1300 fps
Powder: 19 gr.
Gun: 3.5 pounds
Recoil Velocity: 19.6 ft/s
Recoil Energy: 20.8 ft-lbs

454 CASULL
Bullet: 300 gr.
Velocity: 1625 fps
Powder: 30 gr.
Gun: 3.5 pounds
Recoil Velocity: 24.8 ft/s
Recoil Energy: 33.4 ft-lbs

Basically you are comparing a .44 mag and a full-tilt .454 Casull and saying that only VERY sensitive people can tell the difference!?! I would say if you CAN'T tell the difference you have bounced one too many revolver barrels off of your cranium!

All kidding aside, I do load for accuracy. However, I am aiming for a "mild" and accurate .475 Linebaugh load that lopes along at about 1100 fps. Now if I get 1050 or 1150 and it's accurate, than I will be happy and the load will work as intended. However, I know that I don't need to launch a 400 gr. bullet at 1340 fps in order to have an accurate .475 load that will kill an elk.

Why not just shoot a 480 Ruger in your 475 Linebaugh with a 400 gr. bullet, it will do the job well and have less felt recoil.

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:If you can tell the difference between 1000 fps and 1300 fps, you are VERY sensitive!
I don't know the velocity of the HS-6 load but it is pleasant and super accurate.

Come on Jim, you can't be serious! There's a world of difference in recoil between 1,000 and 1,300 fps. Are you messin' with us??

i think he is

Naw, some guys are whimpy!
If my gun was only good for a paper plate, I would sell it.
Redhawk mentioned working a load for each gun but my loads work in ALL the same brand guns. If you are talking Freedoms with the slow twist, MORE powder is needed for accuracy.
Even Whitworth needs 1/2 gr more in his Ruger conversion. Ask him if he will be happy with a paper plate!
C'mon guys, who has ever felt recoil when shooting at game? You will not even be bothered by the noise.