BIG, slow bullets on small game?

I have shot a few grouse in the head with a 45-70. Currently have a marlin 45-70 that I use 4-10 shells in as single shot. Works good to about 15y with this set up.
Keith
 
I have shot a Grouse in neck with a 303 enfield. I would imagine that if i shot it in the body there would be minimal damage, no pocket full of dog scraps.
 
I have shot quite a few rabbits using 180gr 10mm @ 1000fps from my T/C Contender carbine also 300r XTP-Mag's @ 1860fps using my 20" barreled Puma M92 in 454 Casull and 300gr Hornady HP's @ 1900fps - 2250fps in either my T/C Contender carbine or Marlin 1895GS 45-70's.

I always try for head shots but on the occasion that the bullet hits a bit low it skins and guts them...

Now the slower 10mm loads just put a hole through grouse and rabbits with absolutely no meat damage no matter where the hit is pump the velocity up to max and go with a 135 - 150gr bullet the results are like the faster rounds I mentioned earlier.
 
Just dropping by to say the 9gr of unique loads work fine with the 340grcast HP's. I am using magnum federal primers though, that may help.

Boy the unique loads are nice after the 420gr's at 1700 fps...


Ryan
 
I've shot several Groundhogs with a Marlin Model 1894 in 44 Mag, using XTP bullets at around 1,500 fps. Let's just say that one bullet does the job in spades .... big time! Kind of like the eruption of Mount Vesuivius if you know what I mean. I also shot one with a Winchester Model 1876 in 45-60 using a 300 grain bullet at around 1,300 fps. Again, let's just say that 45 caliber flat nosed bullet generates a whack of hydraulic pressure. My favourite groundhog round, however, is a 32-20 90 grain bullet traveling at around 1,200 fps. Kills them dead. So if a tiny little 90 grain bullet that is only .314" diameter, does the job at 1,200 fps, you can bet the big calibers will do it even better .... that is unless you want to save the small game for food. I also once shot a Snowshoe Hare with an old .43 Mauser. That did the job alright. Once I shot a Racoon with a 44 caliber 256 grain bullet doing 750 fps. No problem. That Racoon never took another step. Bottom line: Big heavy bullets travelling at 700 fps or faster are bad news for small game.
 
I was actually thinking about how an old time hunter/trapper etc. would have fared using their rifle for small game.

It seems for the most part, head shots must have been the rule, or perhaps ammo was too dear to be used for small game... snares or something maybe...

This thread kind of goes along with my other one about having a rifle/carbine and pistol in the same chambering... the practicalities of times long past when one's firearms were working tools every day on the frontier...
 
Actually I just learnt last night that the old time prospectors/trappers in the 40's & 50's and possibly earlier mostly carried light weight single shot 22's and used 22 short bullets to feed themselves when out on the trail.

The thought was they would see far more small game than big game, a couple grouse or a rabbit make a pretty good meal... :)
 
All the trappers I know who live in the bush, not weekend hobbiests...but real old timers up here in northern BC carry 22 long rifles and/or 22 revolvers. also having a big bore in the scabbard (often being an sks or 30-30).

I have known alot as I am way up north...I have always been fascinated by these old timers, who are a dying breed which makes me want to venture into that life but to complacent in my luxury life...
 
Silverado said:
Do you mean a .22 as their only firearm, or in addition to a larger caliber?
Click to expand...

From what I understand it would before what duration of trip and time of year on if they had a big bore with them.

If it was for a 3 - 4 day excursion from thier remote cabins they only took the 22's.

Also remember these guys were on foot so didn't/weren't about to carry to much weight.
 
After I got rid of the factory stocks and threw the crap rear sight out and replaced it with my Marlin 1895GS rear sight I really like it but after hundreds of top rounds the extractor broke.

This happened last fall and I finally sent away for the part last week so it has been sitting in the safe for a few months can hardly wait to get it working again.

I load from light 200gr 45 Colt to top 345gr 45 Colt and 240gr XTP-Mags up to 405gr WLNGC's in 454 Casull they all function/feed perfectly plus the rifle is amazing accurate.
 
LSI has a company that does their firearms warranty you can find them on the LSI web site all I had to do was find the parts I needed once again off of the LSI site and fax the numbers I wanted with my visa # and they put them in the mail.

I'd have to look but if I remember right I was getting 2000fps with the 300gr XTP-Mags and 1860fps with 360gr Cast Performance WLNGC's.
 
Direct from Cast Performance I also bought hundreds of 355gr Beartooth WLNGC's when it used to be ok to get them shipped directly to us.

Yes they are hard cast designed for big game I am licensed with an ATC and carry Ruger SRH's in 454 Casull which is why I got into the the rifle.

The Beartooth Taylor Knock Out calculator on Beartooth's site says these 355/360gr loads are good for anything that you will encounter in North America.
 
355/360gr cast, Lil-Gun 27grs, Rem 7 1/2 primers, Lee Crimp die 1 1/2 turn adjustment.

These have gas checks so no leading.
 
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