Hollow Point Cast - 36-55 for deer hunting.

[Muskyhunter1]

Has anybody molded their own cast bullet that were hollow points. I have three 375 molds already for this caliber and was going to work up a cast load for deer hunting. Just wondering because of low velocity of the 38-55 if a hollow point bullet would make it more effective like 22 hollow points - thoughts...........?

 

[antiqueguy]

with a softer alloy it mite but a good accurate load with a flat point cast bullet to the heart of a deer its not going to go far

 

[Goldenlakepete]

Years ago a friend and I used hollow point bullets in the .38-55 on groundhogs and porcupines. Worked great! Never did get to try them on deer but i'm sure they would work well.

I have read articles from the "Old Days" where guys would put black powder in the cavity topped with a percussion cap to make an explosive bullet.

 

[apu]

With relatively soft lead, you should get reasonable expansion.

I tried this with relatively slow 455 handgun rounds a couple years back using a Lyman hollow point 45 cal mould.

At 740 ft/sec, retrieved bullets only showed mild expansion(second photo), .52 -.6 inches diameter

By upping the velocity to 825 ft/sec the expansion improved to .7-.85 inches, bottom photo

 

[jethunter]

I've cast quite afew HP for 44 special. 45 colt, 45acp, 455, 357, 9mm, etc. You need to start with an alloy that suits the velocity you will be using.
For sub 800 fps I use pure lead or almost pure. BHN 9-10
For 900-1100 fps I use 1/2 pure lead and 1/2 wheel weights BHN 10-12

I used some HP bullets in 38-55 and 32-40 at 1400-1500 fps and wasn't too impressed. The regulat flat point expanded just as well and didn't fragment. Unless you're shooting at very low velocity then I wouldn't bother with HP bullets over about 1200 fps - just use a good round nose with flat point in the 16-18 BHN range.

 

[trevj]

Flat point with as large a metplat as possible, and forget about hollow points, IMO.

You will have less headaches casting them, and good results at the receiving end.

The phrase "eat right up to the hole" sticks in my mind as being used a lot to describe the results.
Round nose bullets tend to part the hole, and penetrate, while the flat points tend to pass more energy along to the target.

But heck, fill yer boots and try them out. Everyone needs a hobby!

Cheers
Trev

 

[antiqueguy]

Flat point with as large a metplat as possible, and forget about hollow points, IMO.

You will have less headaches casting them, and good results at the receiving end.

The phrase "eat right up to the hole" sticks in my mind as being used a lot to describe the results.
Round nose bullets tend to part the hole, and penetrate, while the flat points tend to pass more energy along to the target.

But heck, fill yer boots and try them out. Everyone needs a hobby!

Cheers
Trev

flat points also tend to leave a better hole then a round nose or even a hollow point the flat point on it will punch a cleaner hole like it does on paper