450 Goal...1st try

[TacoTaco]

All,

I posted up a few weeks ago about how I wanted to try to push a 300gr XTP Mag to 2500 FPS. After I was edumacated by the more intelligent folks on here, I lowered my goal to a more humble 2000-2100 FPS in an attempt to not blow my gun or myself up. Here's the numbers I got from todays range trip:

Hornady 300gr XTP Mag
2.065 COL
32.7gr Lil Gun
CCI SR Primers
Ambient Temp 55 degrees.

1) 1927
2) 1932
3) 1885
4) 1883
5) 1936
6) 1926
7) 1817
8) 1909
9) 1843
10) 1946
11) 1792
12) 1921
13) 1910

High: 1946
Low: 1792
Mean: 1894
SD: 48.6

Accuracy was reasonable at 2MOA. No pressure signs seen on the brass. Very mild sooting at the case mouth. Of note, these loads were not crimped. (I loaded the bullet without flaring the case mouth) I'm thinking this may have caused the high SD. I just received my Lee 45/70 FCD, and will be modifying it soon. I have 20 more of this load ready to go, but I think I'm going to crimp them first with the modified FCD and see the difference. I'm curious to see if crimping them will increase the velocity.

Side question: Is Lil Gun the best powder for these bullets or should I try Win296/H110?

Thanks!!

[Wicked Hunter]

go with win296 or H110 which ever you've got (they are the same powder). A safe starting point would be 35 gr. Let the cases and the chrono guide you. I ran into ejection problems far before seeing any signs of pressure. My gun really likes the 300 XTP mag at 39gr. but everyone's gun and can of powder is different. Anything over 40gr and I starts running into timing/ejecting problems.