Swaged 325gr FTXs

[TacoTaco]

Continuing on with my testing of swaged .458 bullets for the .450. Took out some Hornady 325 FTXs this weekend. I started on the conservative side of the house, perhaps a little too conservative. Here's the data:

16" Bushy .450
Powder: A1680
Primer: Rem 7 1/2
Brass: 9X fired Hornady, annealed @ 7X
COAL: 2.260
Legendre Taper Crimped
70 Degrees/400' Elv

Shot Vel Charge
1 1271 34.0
2 1351 34.0
3 1323 34.0
4 1660 34.0 (Not sure why these last two shots were so far outside of the distribution. Definite increase in felt recoil)
5 1678 34.0

Shot Vel Charge
1 1519 35.0
2 1385 35.0
3 1363 35.0
4 1454 35.0
5 1525 35.0

Shot Vel Charge
1 1463 36.0
2 1489 36.0
3 1445 36.0
4 1468 36.0
5 1494 36.0

As the charge increased there was a definite tightening of the velocity distribution. Accuracy also followed, however the groups were still nothing to write home about. All cases had sooting at the base. There's definitely room for improvement here. Next attempt will be with the same COAL, but with another step up in charge weight. I'm playing it cautious with these FTXs, as they take up more case volume than the 350gr Interlocks I was trying before. Slow and safe....

More data to come.....

[Hoot]

Though I don't know exactly why. My experience with 1680 was despite the fact that the base burn rate doesn't change, when I put more of it in, I got more complete burning prior to leaving the barrel. While this is not wholesale advice to load through the roof, you may see combustion become more efficient as you up the charge, all else being equal. Of course my tests ended at 300gr, which I still believe is too light for this powder. Tighter riding bullets did better than looser also. It seems more heavily dependent upon pressure, both prior to leaving the case and as it drives down the barrel, than the other powders we have in our repertoire.

Hoot

[lungingturtle2]

Don't know if anyone is interested, Midsouth Shooters has blems on sale, .45 Cal. .452 dia. 300 gr. flat spire pt., $135.00/500 order # 285-45237B. I know flat spire pt. is confusing but thats the way the flyer had them listed. Their Ph.# is 1-800-272-3000