My cousin just had JD Jones build him a 15 inch encore pistol in .416-06 JDJ. He's planning on pushing the 350grainers at around 2200 fps and was wondering which bullet would have the best performance at this velocity on whitetails (approx 100-175 lbs in our area). He has concern that the Speer and the Barnes may not open up for the 200 yard shots he plans on taking. Any advice from you big bore guys?

Thanks!

Damn, How big are those deer? lol.

Ok, I'll admit it... my cousin's a sadist (maybe I am too a little, we wanna see what kind of hole that pistol is gonna punch in a deer). He just sold his house and had some extra money burning a hole in his pocket.

I shot a female impala (same size or slightly smaller than a whitetail) at approx. 75 yards with 400 grain Barnes X at 2,400 fps.

I hit her just behind the shoulder and there was a pretty big exit hole (did not measure it) that made it appear that the Barnes did open up. She did not take a step and fell exactly where she was hit. We were not concerned about meat damage since we were using the impala for leopard bait.

Tim

The Barnes X seems likely to pencil. The 350 gr Speer should certainly kill deer even at 2200 fps. Certainly no need to go heavier.

That pistol is going to be brutal to shoot. Better he than me!

I'm fixin' to find out about the 350 TSX at ~2500 fps as soon as I can shake loose from work. The bullets will work fine on deer, even if they don't open up there will still be a .416 diameter hole in the animal- on both sides or either end depending where you hit them.
The first deer I shot with my Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70 was with a Remington factory 400 grain cartridge, it felt like a .22 and wasn't going much faster. I hit him just inside the left front shoulder, him facing me at 40 yards. He jumped, spun around and ran off leaving me wondering if I had missed. I found him about 40 yards down the trail deader than a hammer. The exit wound was right next to his butt hole and was .458 diameter, no expansion, but it killed quickly and did no damage to the meat or at least nowhere I was going to eat. So try any of the .416 bullets, if placed properly he's one dead deer.
I have read several reports that the Speer opens up too easily out of rifles so it may be the one to try in his JDJones barrel. Whenever I hunt with one of my Contenders I look for the softest bullets I can find to compensate for the lower velocity. I've used Hawk bullets in several calibers with good success, you can order the jacket thickness you want, something to consider if the Speer or others don't meet your needs.

He wanted me to ask the question because he actually shot at a tree at 300 yards with a 350gr Barnes, hit low into the ground, the bullet deflected up into the tree taking a chunk out of it, and then he found the bullet lying at the base of the tree with only one petal slightly opened. We both figured it would be wrecked to hell after that.

He says the gun is actually more pleasant to shoot than his unported 44 mag, but this gun weighs 6.5 lbs and has a great brake on it.

I wouldn't worry about penciling with the Speers and frankly, a 416 is big enough that an X that didn't open would do the job anyway.

The North Fork 325 gr 416 bullet is another excellent choice for that round.

North Fork

I resized some 429 300 jsps down to 416 and shot deer with them out of my 416 taylor. They worked very well at 2650fps. I have also down loaded them to 2000fps and they would shoot into one hole and a lot cheaper then other 416 bullets.

Having shot a ton of camp meat small animals in Africa with a 416 and other big bores, I have found them to be better small game rounds than say a .270 or 243 as they put a big hole in an animal but do not leave a side full of bruised bloody tissue such as you find with the light hi vel calibers....

The .416 with any bullet, including a solid will punch a hole and give you a great blood trail, and they kill cleanly and quickly...

I would opt for a Woodleigh 350 or 400 gr. RN soft point or a Northfork 380 gr., both have worked very well indeed on deer sized animals.

If I were shooting deer, I would want a bullet guaranteed to open up. Hawk bullets with the thin jacket will do just that.


Having seen an elk shot broadside with a .416 Rigby using 350 grain speers, I think they are too hard for deer and will not expand (since they did not expand on an elk).

500,
As I was reading down through the replys I too was thinking a light jacket Hawk would be my pick. As for the Speers, I like them at rifle velocity.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
If I were shooting deer, I would want a bullet guaranteed to open up. Hawk bullets with the thin jacket will do just that.


Having seen an elk shot broadside with a .416 Rigby using 350 grain speers, I think they are too hard for deer and will not expand (since they did not expand on an elk).

did you ever try those Taipan .416's I sent you 500, they would be just the ticket.

I don't think you have to worry about it opening up as big as that bullet is killing a deer. That might be a good idea go deer hunting with my 416 and my buddy could use his 458.

416 Works well on deer!

quote:

Originally posted by PC:

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
If I were shooting deer, I would want a bullet guaranteed to open up. Hawk bullets with the thin jacket will do just that.


Having seen an elk shot broadside with a .416 Rigby using 350 grain speers, I think they are too hard for deer and will not expand (since they did not expand on an elk).

did you ever try those Taipan .416's I sent you 500, they would be just the ticket.

Unfortunately dad still has the .416 in Ohio, but I am having him send it to me to play with this winter. Probably a ranch pig hunt will be in the works, and the Taipans will get their day in court.