Had to face reality today

[artjr338wm]

Was at the range today as it is likely to be the last day off I get with the weather is this cool/conducive to shooting ML's. Temps were from the low 40's to only the mid 50's if I remained in the shade, and the wind was a non-factor. gave both the 10ML-II and the Encore a work out. Started out with the 10ML-II and for a change used some .458 325 FTX's with Harvester Black CR sabots, 68 grains of H-4198 and Fed-209A's.

This sabot/bullet combo loaded about perfect tight. My first three shots at 100 gave me a about a 1.25" group. Decided to keep on firing to see what would happen. Fired six more loads and was treated to a nine shot 100 yard group that measured so close to 2" I will leave it at 2". It kinda dawned on me I had a load that used a bullet that requiered nothing more of me than to simply place it in a sabot, load and shoot it. I had shot the 325 FTX before and had always been treated to quite good accuracy along with exceptional consistantcy. My other bullets of preferance the 245 Spitfires and 295 TMZ and 295 T-MZ requierd that I knurl the crap out of them and trying to get them with in a .001 OD of each other, I have to admit took a fair amount of effort.

I have decided to go to the 325 FTX as my go-to 10ML-II bullet it will do EVERYTHING I will EVER need it to do to kill any deer under any cercomestances and will do so with minimal effort on my part. Truth be known the 4th, 5th, and 6th FTX's I fired did not open up the group any, as a matter of fact it was FTX No#'s 8 and 9 that opened the group up ti roughly 2".

IIRC, it was Wilmsmeyer who while posting here was the person solely responcible for introducing members like myself to the 325 FTX which IMHO, has become one of the best bullets for use in the 10ML-II as smokeless speeds. Thanks again Wilmsmeyer.

As a side not I am happy to report that my Encore still shoots the 300grn XTP extremely well with red Harvester CR sabots and 120 grains of BH-209 and WIN 209's. This is the most accurate load I have ever shot out of my Encore, and thats from a guy who has put over 2000 loads out of his Encore.

[wilmsmeyer]

That combo is a wonderful mix of power, bullet structure and consistency. You have seen hunting accuracy like you said. Enough for any deer hunting application under 200 yds. Load shoot load shoot load shoot. Maybe index sabots...no big deal.

Also could kill elk, moose and who knows what else with this load.

325 gr .458 bullets going 2400-2500 fps is very very powerful. Put that in a 2 MOA rifle all day long and you have arrived at the 200 yd killing machine....with ultimate authority.

I have back peddled to less then book loads the past year or so on deer. But this bullet and powder are sure to be a go to load at full speed for the guys wanting a solid performer in the max zone. Accurate and consistent with very little effort. Love to see others seeing the same thing.

[cr500afx]

I've been shooting the 325 FTX for quite some time in my 50's. I have a friend that I turned onto them and he swears by them also. I shoot them with 65gr of RL7 and have never tried H4198 but am sure it would work equally as well. They will come apart on heavy bone at less than 100 yards, having a muzzle velocity of 2300 fps.

[deadeer]

I learned from the start that 458 bullets in bcr sabots were the most consistent shooters for me. All of the 458's have been good and I have killed with most now. The 325 ftx does blow a big hole thru deer at 2500fps so try to stay off the shoulder if possible. I have about 10 boxes of them now because they are one of the few bullets left that are easy to come by most anywhere, and accurate with about any powder you push them with. 70 gr H4198 or 5-65 duplex n110-H4198 shoot 2500 fps for me. I still prefer the Barnes BO for hunting because it is failsafe with any hit like a copper bullet. By the way, Hornady now has a 458 cal 250 gr all copper GMX that is basically a twin to the 325 ftx in size. It does shoot good also, but I have never used one on a deer yet. I think my most accurate load was 76gr H4198 with them. Good luck.

Jay

[mrbuck]

I always shoot three shot groups with everything from .22's to slug shooting shotguns . Save the ammo and components as they not as easy to find anymore .

[cowhunter]

I used a Wilmsmyer load--245 Spitfire with 78 gr H4198 in .50 cal to shoot 5 deer at 300 yda one year. What is the fun in staying with a reliable load? Never done so well since.

[artjr338wm]

Dead deer, what sabot did you use with the .458 250 grain GMX? In my 10ML-II Harvester black CR sabots have given me the best results with .458" bullets.

Thanks,
Arthur.

[deadeer]

Apr 10, 2014 19:37:15 GMT -5 artjr338wm said:

Dead deer, what sabot did you use with the .458 250 grain GMX? In my 10ML-II Harvester black CR sabots have given me the best results with .458" bullets.

Thanks,
Arthur.

Arthur, I have always used the same bcr. Never even tried the orange mmp. It's what they have at Cabelas.

Jay

[artjr338wm]

Thanks deaddeer. Although MMP does make good sabots and many here have enjoyed much success with them, Harvester sabots have without doubt, worked
the best for me.