Hornady Lever Evolution in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum
BY Herschel Smith
1 year, 7 months ago
I found it somewhat amusing that he couldn’t believe the muzzle velocity data he was getting. Am I the only one who knew that they would publish the ballistics based on wheel gun muzzle velocities – probably from a 6″ barrel?
But the main takeaway for me, and the reason for posting this, has to do with the degree to which the bullet just disintegrates in tissue.
It’s behavior is similar to what we saw with PatRMG testing the .45-70 LeverEvolution, Jacket came off, lead shards went everywhere, tissue damage was extensive, and probably meat damage was so severe that it could not be processed and consumed.
If this is the performance of this round, then it’s great for personal defense in the bush. It penetrates AND expands, causing massive damage. But it’s no good as a hunting round.
It seems to me a better hunting round would be the monolithic copper bullets which open quickly but stay completely intact.
On April 24, 2023 at 12:36 am, Aaron Yetter said:
Powder coat cast solid or hollow point, eat right up to the hole. Why do people think you need to turn the 45-70 into a magnum is beyond me. If he had used a 405 grain solid that pig wouldn’t have been wasted
On April 24, 2023 at 5:57 am, jrg said:
I had no idea that the Lever Evolution ammunition was so frangible. Thanks for letting us know.
On April 24, 2023 at 9:25 am, Jimmy said:
At the greater velocities, I find the recoil very unpleasant and unnecessary. I’ll stick with hard cast, but thanks for the interested video!
On April 24, 2023 at 12:53 pm, xtphreak said:
and for reloaders, the brass is shorter than SAAMI specifications.
It has been reported on Cast Boolits that standard reloading dies do not crimp these correctly, Hornady sells special dies for the Lever Evolution brass.
Makes it a no go for me.
I’ve tried to standardize on calibers, I really don’t want a sub-set of different length brass to contend with.
I doubt the target is any deader than if shot with a good 240gr JSP or SWC load.
And with lots less meat damage, that’s why I like the .45/70 with solids, it pokes a big hole all the way through, doesn’t explode like a varmint bullet.
On April 25, 2023 at 12:20 am, Georgiaboy61 said:
Hornady is known for the quality of their products and for standing behind them. This outcome seems strange, so maybe the individual involved should call their tech support people and explain the problem. Maybe there was a manufacturing defect of some kind involved. If so, Hornady will probably stand behind their product and do their best to remedy the situation. Can’t hurt to try at any rate.
On April 27, 2023 at 6:38 am, Daniel K Day said:
Point well taken about the excessive frangibility of the bullets for hunting purposes. I’m impressed by the high consistency of the velocity figures out of the long barrels.