Elk
I used a 300grain 45cal Platinum, pushed by 120grains of Shockey's Gold on a 125 pound spike. Range was 55yards, dropped right there. The bullet fragged just like normal. Made massive damage and did not exit.
But I did find out that we are
WAY overdriving the PB's. My son and I worked up a (45cal) 70grain powder charge with a 275grain PB for his wife to shoot, so as to reduce recoil. It worked great on a 50 yard shot right thru the heart and lungs and out the other side! Boom Flop! No fragmentation. This load was sighted in at 112yards with that crappy 1x scope.
I will be testing/chronographing this same load soon. Will also try it with just 60grains powder. The 45cals don't need as much powder as the 50's to get the same speeds :wink:
The Platinums have a second coat over the regular copper jacket, that makes them a little stiffer. I believe the 45cal/300grain combined with 70 grains of powder will be a real game stopper thats easy on your shoulder:shock:
I'm sure that the lighter 45cal 225grain PB's would be just as good pushed with just
60grains of powder
But, like we are all learning the hard way, use the heaviest PB that you can and don't over drive them.
I'd try 80grains powder with 348/444 50cal PB's and call her good
Also check out my old post with some Plat pics:
http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1840494