Anyone have any experience using X bullets in a 45-70???

This is something I have not tried because I favor cast bullets in my 45-70.

The x's are plenty expensive for the big bores. Just wondering about lower velocity expansion...say 1600 fps and under???


Thanks in advance for the replies...

swede

Swede,

Sorry, no experience with the .458 'X' bullets at any velocity.

If I remember correctly, Barnes claims their 'X' will expand at velocities as low as 1600fps or 1700fps.

Check with the folks on the lever-action forums; there are plenty of .45-70 shooters there. One or more of them may be able to answer your question.

George

Swede,
I have used the .458 spitzler x-bullets at velocities from ~1800-2600. I have been very underwhelmed by their performance below ~2000 fps. The few deer (small sample size not good for evaluating trends) I�ve shot with low velocity .458 x-bullets did not experience the bang dead right there phenomena often seen with higher velocity smaller calibers like .270 win. etc. The flatnose x-bullets made for the .45-70 might be a different story. Now, bump the velocity of a 300 gr x-bullet up to 2400 fps and it performs perfectly without shedding lead gravel into your meat. Overall, pretty pricey for the performance they give at .45-70 velocities, but just like any other .458 bullet on whitetail, put it in the vitals and you have a dead deer. Just my opinion.
Wes

Thanks for the replies...doesn't sound like it would give any advantage over the cast bullets I use now.

swede

I have shot the 300 gr. X bullet out of my 15 inch Contender for over a dozen years, and have taken twice that many head of deer. It will open up very reliably down to 1600 fps. Barnes told me 1500 fps on the .458 X, but my tests showed that below 1600 it was a hit and miss deal at best. Some opened, some did a little, some not at all. Of the deer I have killed with it, from all angles, I have gotten complete penetration and it drops them like Thor's hammer. Very deadly. The big plus for me over lead bullets is that the spitzer shape makes the round a much flatter shooting round compared to a LBT LFN or LWN bullet. Since my load starts out at 1890 fps, I do not reach 1600 fps until 175 yards, but it is realatively flat shooting out to 200 not that I can use the extra 25 yards. With a 6" vital zone, I have a MPBR of 183 yards, with a zero at 155 yards. Since my range is limited to 175 yards, I zero at 125 and am down 4" by 175 and am never more than 1.5" high. If I wanted to keep it closer to the MPBR, I could zero at 150, and be down 2.5" at 175 and 2.5" high at 75. Flattening out the trajectory is where the X bullet shines in the .45-70 IMO.

Wyoming Swede,

I've use 300 grain X bullets in a Ruger# 1-S in 45-70. Loaded to 2325 FPS by 56 grains RL-7, it was and is a very effective load.

I have one recoved from a whitetail (range 35 yds, through both shoulders and recovered from a tree behind the deer) weight 298 grains. If I have time I will post a picture of it today.

This is the older X bullet designed for the 458 mag, and is not intended for lever actions. I have not used the flat nosed 300 grain X.

Bob