Jacketed soft point vs lead

[RedPaint]

Can someone please explain the difference in terms of performance between a jacketed soft point and a cast lead bullet from say Cast Performance if both bullets are 300 grains in a 44 mag. Trying to decide what to load for bear. Thanks so much.

 

[Pickettpuncher]

Cast lead is just that, it’s lead. A jacketed bullet with have a copper jacket. As far as performance goes, most manufacturers rate their bullets per performance/uses. Can’t say I’ve ever seen a soft point not rated for hunting purposes. A solid lead bullet needs to be soft enough to expand and built to do so. Too hard and it’ll just punch thru like a fmj.

 

[RedPaint]

is there one that is considered the better option of the 2?

 

[Laelkhunter]

The jacketed soft point is designed to expand, and penetration will be less than a solid bullet. The lead cast bullet is designed for either target shooting, or if cast from a harder lead formula, will not deform and is designed for deeper penetration which would be desired for bear hunting.

 

[RedPaint]

Okay thanks. I was under the impression a jacketed soft point bullet was basically a cast bullet that just had a thin jacket. Sounds like the actual bullet is different, aside from the jacket?

 

[BCsteve]

Jacketed bullets are made of softer lead with a jacket to control the expansion. Cast lead bullets are usually cast of a harder lead alloy, sometime called hard cast, and their purpose is usually deep penetration. The large flat meplat however does a good job at displacing tissue and do more damage then you would expect from a non or very little expanding bullet.

I shot a bear with a home cast 325gr bullet from my .444 Marlin. Worked very well and the bear went maybe 25 yards.

 

[BCsteve]

Bullet I used and the damage.

 

[Estrn_hntr]

I have been loading 325gr hard cast lead in my 44mag Super Blackhawk and .444 Marlin. Both are loaded hot and both do well on bear and deer


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