450Bushmaster.net

m113103 wrote:Did you measure any case head expansion?

Not much need to, the distortion was visible. But I will later. I've got a lot on my plate with this rifle and rounds to test.

Guys. I just realized that I never actually published any of the data from my range test back in April. I apologize for that. I will try to get it posted here by this weekend. Sorry about that. Life has been a bit crazy here as my shift has changed. I totally forgot about it.

OK guys, it's taken me two weeks of searching to find my little red book where I wrote down that range report from the day where I shot my New England 450 bushmaster single shot rifle. I just found it 30 minutes ago stuck between a can of ranch style beans and deviled ham. Don't judge me. Things get missed placed around here when you have a new puppy and she's chewing on everything she can find. My main goal around here right now is if I see it on the floor pick it up before she chews it up. It doesn't matter what cabinet you put it in or what shelf you put it on, as long as you get it out of her reach.
That being said here's the results.
450 Bushmaster
Once fired brass
WSR primers
250 Grain Shockwaves (Midway blemishes).
With a taper crimp and LSC
Powder 40.0 grains LilGun.
Six shot string.
2293 FPS
2374 FPS
2403 FPS
2363 FPS
2383 FPS
2309 FPS
AVG 2354 FPS
SD 43.5
ES 109.7
-----------------------
The following loads are not recommended especially for a single shot. Strongly caution to reduce this load for single shot/bolt action rifles.
230 grain FMJ flat points (Hornady)
44.5 Gr LilGun with a taper crimp and LSC
See range report stickied in the reloading topics for these loads.
Three shot string then I stopped due to extreme pressure signs.
2636 FPS
2490 FPS
2731 FPS
AVG 2619 FPS
ES 241.6
SD 121.3
I will probably be backing these down about 3 grains. The pressure signs on that 2731 were spooky and the shell didn't want to extract.

B.

kottke_35 wrote::shock:

B.

What?

2731!

B.

Just for comparison:


SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: P338B2
Category: CENTERFIRE RIFLE ROUNDS
Caliber :338 Winchester Magnum
Bullet Type :Nosler Partition
Bullet Weight :250 GR
Muzzle Energy :3927 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :2660 fps
Rounds Per Box :20
Boxes Per Case :10
Application :Large Game

kottke_35 wrote:2731!

B.

Oh.......yeah. That was a spooky one.

commander faschisto wrote:Just for comparison:


SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: P338B2
Category: CENTERFIRE RIFLE ROUNDS
Caliber :338 Winchester Magnum
Bullet Type :Nosler Partition
Bullet Weight :250 GR
Muzzle Energy :3927 ft lbs
Muzzle Velocity :2660 fps
Rounds Per Box :20
Boxes Per Case :10
Application :Large Game

The 2731FPS was the 230 grain. But if you want to get a better comparison, run both rounds through the Taylor Knock Out Value formula.

Texas Sheepdawg wrote: ... The following loads are not recommended especially for a single shot. Strongly caution to reduce this load for single shot/bolt action rifles.
230 grain FMJ flat points (Hornady)
44.5 Gr LilGun with a taper crimp and LSC.
See range report stickied in the reloading topics for these loads.
Three shot string then I stopped due to extreme pressure signs.
2636 FPS
2490 FPS
2731 FPS
AVG 2619 FPS
ES 241.6
SD 121.3
I will probably be backing these down about 3 grains. The pressure signs on that 2731 were spooky and the shell didn't want to extract. ...

T.S.D.-
You have been working with the Hornady FMJ-Flat Nose bullet #45187 if I've read this and your previous notes correctly. It looks like Hornady suspended production of this bullet in 2013 and has yet to resume production. I cannot find these bullets listed for sale at any of the usual outlets.

I plan to start working soon with 230-grain jacketed bullets in my 450B bolt rifle. I'd like to try to follow your examples, attempting to duplicate velocity and terminal performance. That will be difficult without the Hornady FMJ-FN. It's pretty certain that other 230-grain FMJ bullets will respond differently due to variation between manufacturers in diameter and bearing surface area, among other factors.

I've found the following candidate bullets:

• Nosler #44964 FMJ-FN
• Magtech #BU45B FMJ-SWC
• Hornady #45177 FMJ-RN
• Speer #4480/4750 TMJ-RN
• Sierra #8815 FMJ-RN
• Magtech #BU45A FMJ-RN
• Winchester #WB45MC230 FMJ-RN

Hollow-point, plated, coated, cast, or swaged bullets are not an option for trying to follow your work-up.

Which of the bullets on my list (or any others not listed) would you likely select if you had to start your 230-grain project again, given the unavailability of the Hornady FMJ-FN?

(Other knowledgeable persons should feel free to respond, of course.)

If this note is muddled, please post questions and I'll try to clarify.
Thanks.
--Bob