hunting loads for Schofield, is this too hot?

[Longshot John]

I have been using this load in a short barreled Ruger, that didn't like hot loads.  240 JHP @ 850 fps.  Its at the top for Colt loads in my book.  I ask because I am going hunting right after I finish my next match and was ging to try to git a hog with my Schofield.

thanks.

[St. George]

If it's at the top for a Colt, and if the Ruger didn't like it - both being similarly built, with topstraps - a top-break most likely won't handle it well at all...

Sounds like you already have some reservations.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Longshot John]

The Ruger did like this load.  the reason I ask as to if this is too hot I usually shoot 6.0 231 with a 250 cast as my cowboy load.  This load is just a wee bit hotter.

[Trailrider]

Howdy, Pard,

The original BP loads were 28 gr of FFFg behind a 230 gr. bullet, with a muzzle velocity of 710-730 ft/sec.  Although the modern-made Schofields are somewhat stronger than the originals, and made to handle .45 LC, IMHO 250 gr @ 830 ft/sec is the MAXIMUM loading.  With that bullet weight, I would go for a slower-burning powder such as Unique or Universal.  These powders will likely produce the best velocity/pressure ratios.

IMHO, I would prefer something stronger than this for "hawgs".  I would certainly go with a well-constructed jacketed bullet, NOT a hollowpoint.  You want penetration, especially if you should need to hit the hog head-on!  Frankly, though I carried a Ruger Blackhawk in .44 Magnum years ago, it was backup for a 180 gr. .30-06 and 200 gr. 33 WCF RIFLES! Now THOSE are "hawg medicine"!

Good Hunting!

[Virginia Gentleman]

A good 250-255 LSWC cast bullet at about 850 fps would be even better with medium burning powders that have been mentioned.  More than enough for piggly-wiggly!

[Matt Bastardson]

A big, slow-moving chunk of lead is plenty of medicine for what ails hogs at under 25 yards range.  I've shot 400lb hogs with high velocity (.308) rifle rounds at under 50 yards that barely slowed them down.

The point is, the answer can't always be found in ballistics tables.