I took a vacation day from work Wednesday and shot at my local range for 5 hours, putting over 330 rounds of centerfire reloads down range. About 1/3 of the ammo fired was 44 Magnum shot through my Henry lever rifle. As you know I had very high hopes for the 300g HP-XTP Hornady bullets, and to tell you the truth, I didn't expect a lot from the Hornady 240g SWC-HP, which is a much cheaper, lead bullet.
300g Hornady 44280 HP-XTP w/ 17g Winchester 296
To make a long story short,
the 300g bullet was truly a disappointment (see target above). It was all over the target at 50 yards (and this was a big target, and my 2nd target was worse). I'm not writing off the bullet yet, because it could have been the powder / bullet / load combination, but right now I have no way of knowing. One thing I do know is that
the cheaper 240g lead bullet shot great! (see target below). The group size at 50 yards with iron sights was around 2". Considering the ball-type front cowboy sight that's on the Henry, I couldn't ask for better than that. I would really like to see what this round can do if shot with the help of a scope.
240g Hornady 1118 SWC-HP w/ 6g American Select
This target is a lot better than it looks. It basically consists of 2 groups and a few stray shots. The first group was the cluster of 8 holes at the top. I then adjusted my peep sight and shot a group of 8 below it. The random holes were some shots I took aiming low to compensate for the elevation. My second target was similar. I think this will be my all-around 44 Magnum load. Note that when I reduced my load to 5.3g, it shoot good but not quite as good as with the 6g load. I then tested some .357 Magnum loads. See my .357 Magnum reloading page for more.
Bob i was waiting to see your results on 300 grainers i use imr4227 with good results even used them hunting this year but only saw bald headed deer.
ReplyDeleteI use trail boss in all my reduced loads and it has proven real acurrate fron 200 to 240 grainers.
oregan trail,magnus,D&J match and berrys.Each gun shoots a little different though.Mine shoots jacked good but loves lead even when i soop them up from trail bos to 4227 or titegroup
That's good to know. Thanks for that info. I figured it must have had something to do with the bullet/powder combination but I wasn't sure. It could also be that my Henry just doesn't like this bullet. Which rifle liked the 300? Did you shoot it in a Henry?
ReplyDeleteHey Bob I do use a henry. Each gun shoots some what different. Ive used from 180 t0 300 grain in henry the 240 does real good the speer 270 did good and if i did my part the 300, but my henry loves cast bullets and this is what i shoot the most of usally 200 round nose to 240 swc.I use berry,oregan trail,magnus and have used D&j match, I also load 38,357 and 45 long colt. I just got new toy which is a buffalo classic in 45-70 and have just started loading for this and also started loading for a winchester model 100 in 284
ReplyDeleteAny favorite loads you'd like to share?
ReplyDeleteSmoker, How about sending me some photos to post with a little story? You can send them to brshooting@sbcglobal.net. I get tired of looking at myself.
ReplyDeleteThat was disappointing to hear about your results with the 300gr Hornady's Bob. Will you still be working on loads with this bullet using the #9 and 2400 recipes posted previously?
ReplyDeleteYou're telling me Dirk. I'd like to test more, but I'm out and they only come 50 in a box. I'll contact Hornady to see if they'd like to send any more for testing.
ReplyDeleteBob,
ReplyDeleteMy only comparison is from my 454 but while I do load 300 Hornady XTP-Mags, I only hunt with the 250 grainers due to control out of the shorter barrel. The 300's are going to build more preasure slower and any movement is going to be visable down range. My problem was that the 300's were still climbing a lot more than the 250's because of the slower burn behind the larger weight as the barrel climbed. Don't dispare, try some different load's or try a faster burning powder instead of the W296. Are you shooting the 296 with small rifle primers? magnums?
-Kevin
Thanks Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI always use magnum primers. I have tried standard primers and didn't see much difference. I've heard that there can be ignition problems, especially in cold weather, so I've been staying with magnum. It's also what Hornady specs for all their magnum loads. I'm out of 300g bullets, but the next time I pick some up I'll use different powders to see the difference.
Good to hear Bob. Have you tried small rifle primers? (non magnum) The difference with primers is the heat, how hot and how far they throw the ignition. I don't use the magnum primers for my 454, I use the small rifle primers instead. This lets a deeper ignition on my slow burning powder, H110 which is very similar to your W296. I hunt with it in late December all the time with no ignition problems and my cold weather grouping with the 250's is under 2" at 100 yards. The 300's spread out considerably, but that is due to me. I'll use the 300's for under 50 yards at dangerous game or for intruders in my house hiding behind my fridge...couple walls and a fridge don't slow it down at all....LOL
ReplyDeleteKevin, did you see this post?
ReplyDeletehttp://brshooting-38special.blogspot.com/2010/11/raising-sp101s-poi-3.html
hey Bob not been on your site for awhile but i did use the 300 again this year for deer. took a nice 8 pointer shot him about 35 yards on a dead stright run right at me. he must have dropped his head just as i shot and i hit him at the base of spine flipped him head over heel but on cleaning him found what was left of bullt at base of skull bone was completly blown away but the bullet had not retained any of its weight all i found was the jacket it did it job but not impressed with it weight retention. i loaded hot with 4227 shoots good but not sure what it would have done on shoulder hit
ReplyDeleteInteresting. That's good to know. I wonder if it had to do with hitting bone at a specific angle? I'll bring it up with Hornady. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDelete