Are there any Aussies out there using Taipan 300grain SSP's in their 45/70?

I have a nice load for this bullet that groups 5 shots in less than 3" at 100 yards with open sights. Velocity is 1780fps but so far have only used them at the range.

Has anyone used them on game and how well do they perform?

Cheers.
Boof.

I've loaded some up for my mate but then sold the rifle!! I've met the fella who bought it and he's yet to shoot anything with the Tiapans.
I have some 140gr 6.5 bullets Tiapans to try out ....must get my finger out and reload them one of these days!

Bakes

I have used a box of the Taipan 300's, didnt expand as much as id have liked, but I was pushing them fairly hard, well above 45/70 velocities that they were probably designed for (2300fps+), found the 300 gn sierra's the best, the Taipans would be a good projectile for heavier game ie Sambar,would use them again but would load them down to give them time to expand.

Guns and Game tested the 300gr SP years ago and it was found to be a hard bullet as Choppa says. I've only shot a few paddock bunnies with them and full penetration was the order of the day. They were fired from a Marlin 45/70 at 2000fps. I believe the SSP is the Spire soft point, correct? They're a little too pointy for my liking in the Marlin tube magazine, but look perfect for the 458WM or 458 Lott. The 300gr SP is all I use in the 45/70 due to their low cost.
Cheers...
Con

[ 11-21-2003, 00:11: Message edited by: Con ]

Have used 6mm and 416 400grn.
Forget the weight in the 6mm but it was not the most accurate bullet, but performed ok on roos.
The 416 seem a little incosistent or maybe it's just I'm driving them to fast still yet to recover a bullet.

I have shot some grassy's with .416 400 gr Taipans and sometimes get huge wounds and other times get golf ball sized exits, have not found one yet. There a tougher bullet than say the speers or sierra's.

I use the sierra 300 gr HP in my 45/70 and I reckon there to soft.

I've loaded some Hornadys for my mate Mick,350gr if memory serves me. A lot more lead showing at the tip than the Tiapans. Devastating on pigs. It will be interesting to see who the Tiapans work out.

Bakes

Bakes I used the 300 gr Hornady .375 Round Nose in my cz 550 .375 H&H On Gulf Hogs in June and they worked a treat. I was running them around 2450-2500 fps, they may be to soft at .375 RUM or .378 weatherby speeds.

I don't mind hornady bullets. I have some 129gr 6.5 bullets at home I have to get around to trying.
PC have you got the latest sporting shooter? Interesting (if a little hard to read) article on the origin of Ausie pigs.

Bakes

Bakes,

I had been out of work during the last month. Just starting a new job on Monday. In Melbourne of all places !! So have not been even buying magazines, now I am thinking because of my sickness (buying guns & actions etc.) that I still should not buy magazines etc. and that will sort of help cover my addiction

But I may slip up mate !! I already did I have put an order down for three PH actions from Montana Rifle Company, I justified it by the fact that there not ready to ship for a year, and if I only buy that 1909 .404 action between now and then well I have been a good boy . I am a little scared by the tarrif fees that may be applicable however, turning a reasonably costed product into an expensive proposition

Hello there,
I loaded up the Taipan ssp 300gn projectiles, to use in my marlin 1895. I found them to be accurate but to hard for pigs as they didn't expand well, yet I think they would be fine for Sambar deer. I will be loading the woodleigh 405gn next as I have heard great things about them.

Happy Hunting
Tasso

Firstly, I have found Taipan bullets in a number of calibres to be amongst the most consistently accurate I have used.

In .45 calibre, my experiences are only with the 300gr flat-point SP, and it is quite soft compared with the 350gr Hornady for example. I load this bullet in .500/.450 3 1/4 Express, and .500/.450 No.1 Carbine, both vintage rifles, the latter with Henry rifling. Results are all that I could hope for. I am surprised to learn that several posters consider the 300-grainer too hard, but I haven't loaded that strange semi-pointed round-nose or whatever its called.

I also load the 350gr RNSN Woodleigh in the .450 Express cartridge, it has a thin jacket (still bonded-core) designed for older black-powder guns with their soft barrel-steel, and is devastating on game.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the posts guys!

Will be using these initially for pigs.
It's good feedback about them perhaps being too hard as I might drill a bunch of them into hollow points and see if that helps if they are not expanding enough.

I have about 350 of these bullets so I want to use them if I can.

I always buy Taipans in fair quantities if I see something I like, as sometimes availability can be a bit ordinary.

Cheers.
Boof.

I emailed Malcolm(Taipan) about 416 Rem bullets (they make a Rem and a Rigby) was told the only difference is the position of the cannelure. They have no stock of the Rem and will not have any for 12 months
You can buy direct, no credit card facilities though. Direct price is more expensive than Clayton trigger and tackle.

I got my 6.5 Tiapans through Rebel Gun Works and they were cheaper than buying direct as well, go figure

Bakes

Welcome to the forum Tasso!

Marraki,

I use the 650 gr .585 BP express woodleigh bullets from my .585 and they opne up dramatically and hold together. They are the ducks nuts for aussie game.

PC:
I agree with you there. They are one of my favourite bullets. I think Geoff may have toughened them up a bit lately though, which is a pity. On the left is a recovery from several years ago, and on the right a bullet from a new box, bought earlier this year. Both at 1650 MV, under the hide on the off-side. Of course they still kill very well, but I liked the big pancake! KER-WHOP! No doubt you will still get explosive expansion with the new bullet at Nyati velocity!



He has added a 650gr steel-jacketed solid to the .577 range, which I wouldn't put through a vintage barrel, however I have loaded a couple for my Greener....! They'd be unstoppable from the bolt-gun.

Apologies to Boof for hijacking this thread, always happy to talk about good bullets, and with excellent aussie-made Taipans and Woodleighs to pick from at domestic prices, we are indeed in a good paddock!

While we are on the subject of Taipans I think my brother uses 220 or the 250gn .375 taipan bullet in his 375 H&H. Its the bullet for a lever action 375 anyway I have been told. Quite devestating on hopping things.

Karl.

Marraki I will buy plenty of Taipans for now on to save some $$ for now on. Yes ginat pancakes are the order of the day at Nyati velocity.

Karl you should run the 650 bp woodleigh's instead of the 750's in your 585 mate.

Will do PC as soon as my brother and I get around to loading another batch.

Karl.