PMC offer a 350gr FNSP at an MV of over 2000fps and ME of over 3000 ft lbs.
The bullet weight and ballistics look good. Anyone had experience with this round? I know you're all cast bullet fans, but isn't a SP noted for good penetration too?
What about Winchester's 300gr Partition Gold?
I'm not reneging on handloading, I just want some ammo if I get a 45/70 before I get a press ;)

It would depend entirely on what bullet they (PMC)were using. As an example, the Speer 400gr. bullet is quite fragile at velocities over 2,000FPS, not far from being a varmit bullet. However, there are a number of 350gr. bullets designed for the .458 Win Mag that are quite a lot tougher....

Sounds like some experimenting on wild pigs is in order!

There was a time when people were complaining about the .458 Win. 350 gr SP was not opening at the slower speeds of the 45-70. Hornady heeded the call and made their 350 gr SP with thinner jackets and at .457 for the 45-70 folk.

My personal handload using VV N133 powder pretty much duplicates the PMC round, in that the Hornady 350 gr RNSP and FPSP develop 2065 fps avg out of my 24" bbl'd Marlin 1895 LTD1. Just what bullet mfg'r and powder type they use is unknown to me.

My personal load with IMR 4198 using the Hornady 350 gr. FN averages 1800 fps out of my guide gun. I believe that PMC is using the Hornady bullet but I'm not sure so don't quote me on that.

I like the 350 Hornady RN in my 45 cal. Winchesters. The RN will not cause pre-ignition in the Magazine tube.

Just took a look on the PMC website and that's definitely not the Hornady.

Looks exactly like the Speer 350 grain SP.

Speer makes these for dangerous game and they have a thick jacket.

I hadn't heard about Hornady 350 grainers at .457 and a thin jacket as the 350 grain Hornady RNs I have are .458 and when sectioned, reveal a thick jacket...about .035". Hornady's Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, edition 5 states that the operating range for these is 1800-2900 FPS...which definitely reflects a thick jacket.

Ka6otm

I have no personal experience with either round, but I've read very good things about the 300 gr. partions. This seems to be one of the top choices of factory loads by a lot of people.

Please re-read my previous posting -

It says "thinner" - not THIN jackets.

This Hornady bullet was originally developed for the .458 Win and designed for loadings of it's velocities. When people stuffed them into the 45-70 they complained about the bullet failing to open at the lower velocities. Hornady redesigned it so that it NOW, indeed, performs at the 45-70 velocities.

Oh, and please excuse the typo on the bullet diameter. .458 is correct - I mistyped .457. Scheesh!! :rolleyes:

It can't look just like the 350 grain Speer, because it isn't. Hornady makes the 350 grain FN that is loaded in the PMC ammo. However, the swage used to make the ogive and nose is the same one Hornady uses for their 300 grain hollow point. You will notice that the PMC bullet looks just like the Hornady 300 grain hollow point without the hollow point. Hence, it is not the Hornady #4503, but a contract bullet made by Hornady for PMC.
http://www.pmcammo.com/pmc/images/4570ha.jpg

http://www.midwayusa.com/midwayusa/applications/mediasvr.dll/image?saleitemid=579265
Speer 350 grain FN