I'd like to encourage you guys to use a standardized media that can be duplicated by others.

If interested, read my post here:

http://forums.nitroexpress.com/showflat....2ec2a8611bb9760

I have found these media to be excellent though I have only used the setup with expanding bullets and a few cast bullets. If anybody wants to discuss the setup, etc, please feel free to pm me or post here.

A bullet "test" is absolutely meaningless unless there is some way to compare the tested bullet with others of a known performance level. Really, what you are doing is making a comparison. A KNOWN excellent-performing bullet/velocity should be used as a control. I test a lot of bullets using my jugs & boards. Such testing can be VERY useful in predicting the performance of a given bullet on game. I now test every bullet I intend to hunt before using it on game.

The intended purpose of the bullet needs to be established before the test results can be assessed. As far as the heavy weight bullets you describe are concerned, what is their intended purpose? Is the intent to provide a bullet capable of being used on buffalo and elephant, i.e. as a replacement for expensive jacketed bullets? A noble goal if so, and one I believe may very well be able to be achieved depending on alloy and velocity. I would think the 600 would be a top end weight for such a purpose in the .458, maybe a lttle heavier in the larger case rounds, though due to the limitations of alloy strength, velocity will certainly have its effect in such cases as the .460.

I'm thinking that the length of the 700 grain bullets may demand a bit more twist than some production .458 rifles possess, but maybe the accuracy will not be impaired until the range reaches 200 or more yards.

Based on my experience with 400 grain bullets in the .45-70, I am really curious as to the possibility of developing a bullet/alloy/velocity combination that could be used on thickskinned, heavy & dangerous game. Such a load could take these big bores from being the most expensive guns to shoot to being some of the cheapest.

You guys really make me want to buy a .458...