Fluted Bullets?

I just purchased a box of Lehigh Defense .458 cal 225 grain XD fluted bullets to try in my 45-70 for deer and hogs. Its an interesting concept as the flutes are supposed push fluids outward causing hydro-static shock. Also seems like penetration would be good as the bullet doesn't expand. I was wondering if the flutes really do improve terminal performance on game.

Does anyone have experience on game with these?

Yes. It's the same concept on their handgun bullets that I use in my 40 cal and 10mm ammo. The concept is great and the data behind it is really impressive. In a 45-70 round, it would be devastating! The penetration will be limited because the idea is to transfer more energy into the target in a shorter distance. When more energy is transferred, penetration will be less and vice versa. I don't have any experience in performance yet, but I have these for my 10mm ammo for the same idea.

I'm sure I can easily push these to 2500 fps. Seems like that would give a good whack.

Yes, it would!!!

Chad,

I thought you may find this interesting. I questioned Underwood Ammo regarding penetration on pigs and whitetails of their 45-70 225 grain load as they use the Lehigh 225 XD bullet. Here's their response:

"Underwood Technicians <ammotechs@underwoodammo.com>

Oct 12 at 9:20 AM

On whitetail and pigs your should expect pass-through shots with the 225gr Xtreme Hunter. We saw them penetrating consistently over 40" in gel tests, which ranks along with the penetration depth of some heavy handgun hard casts, though of course the Hunters have much much more wounding capabilities than any cast bullet. The +P will penetrate more and it will also have even more wounding potential as the non-expanding design works better the faster they are pushed. It should be an excellent and easy load to use on both hog and whitetail, the 325gr Hunter is very similar but is more suited toward hunting larger game such as elk and moose."

Sounds like the perfect short range hunting bullet, we shall see.

Yes, that's the penetrator bullet, not the defense bullet. It will certainly work with good shot placement. But it will go through 3 hogs if you line them up. The defense bullet is the one that has the larger and deeper flutes that transfers more energy and hydrostatic shock.

Their website says they use the 225 Lehigh Xtreme Defense bullet in the 225 Xtreme Hunter ammo, see below. They use other bullets in their Xtreme Penetrator ammo. I don't think Lehigh makes a penetrator a .458 bullet in 225 grains. Am I confused?

Here are the links:
45-70 Government 225 Grain Xtreme Hunter
https://www.underwoodammo.com/collection...t=7865935429689

45-70 Government 305 Grain Xtreme Penetrator
https://www.underwoodammo.com/collection...t=7865934086201


BRAND:UNDERWOOD AMMO

SKU:905

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Caliber: 45-70 Government
Bullet Weight: 225 Grains
Bullet Style: Lehigh Defense Xtreme Defense
Case Type: Brass
BALLISTICS INFORMATION
Muzzle Velocity: 2445 fps
Muzzle Energy: 2987 ft lbs

Ok, yes, that's the defense bullet. That's what I would use. That will do VERY well.

Thanks Chad, I always appreciate your feedback

On both ends...

I shot them this weekend. Velocity was 2,325 fps and recoil wasn't too bad. Not as much recoil as my 300 JHP load. Accuracy was very good.