So whats wrong with the Hornady Die set?

[Texas Sheepdawg]

Hi HOOT!! Long time no hear from!

[45r]

I got the Lee 45 colt collet die and reduced the crimp band to 50 thou.
Loaded some 225 flex tips over 38 grains Lil-gun.
Had the top of crimp 65 thou below mouth for some loads and 100 thou below for others.
Side Crimp measured around .470 and taper .476.
Velocity went around 2415 to 2510 FPS.
Factory 250's went 2240 FPS.
Got 1 inch 3 shot groups at 100 with factory and 225 reloads.
Cases measured .501 and primers looked good.
The side crimp does raise velocity and accuracy good but ES high.
Think I can get ES down.Going to try 37.5 lil gun next seated to 2.15.
Load above was seated 2.22.That left only bottom of side crimp around .110 above heel of the 225's.
I think .160 above heel and half grain less powder might do better.
I like the higher velocity and no bullet creep releasing the bolt.
The Tubbs CWS works good with 3 o-clock ejection using regular carbine buffer.
No case rims got ripped.

[kottke_35]

^good info and nicely done. Let us know how the other loads work out.

B.

[45r]

Tried the other load with col=2.150 and 37.5 grains lil-gun under 225 Flextip.
Also used A2 stock with rifle buffer this time with Tubbs CWS.
Groups were about the same except a little low left with the A2 stock.Adjusted scope since I like the A2 stock better for the 450.
Velocity went around 2430 to 2470 fps.Then went to 38 grains lil-gun and ES tightened up more.
Liked that load the most.
1 inch 3 shot groups and 1 group went 2463,2468,and 2470fps.
Es is better with this COL and side crimped .470 around .100 from case mouth.

The rifle shoots 1 inch groups with the 38 grain load with good ES.
Getting around 220 fps increase in velocity over 250 factory load.
Probably going to use this handload during hunting season.

[Jim in Houston]

Tried the other load with col=2.150 and 37.5 grains lil-gun under 225 Flextip.
Also used A2 stock with rifle buffer this time with Tubbs CWS.
Groups were about the same except a little low left with the A2 stock.Adjusted scope since I like the A2 stock better for the 450.
Velocity went around 2430 to 2470 fps.Then went to 38 grains lil-gun and ES tightened up more.
Liked that load the most.
1 inch 3 shot groups and 1 group went 2463,2468,and 2470fps.
Es is better with this COL and side crimped .470 around .100 from case mouth.

The rifle shoots 1 inch groups with the 38 grain load with good ES.
Getting around 220 fps increase in velocity over 250 factory load.
Probably going to use this handload during hunting season.

Thanks for the data on the location and diameter of the side crimp and the recommendation for powder weight. I generally use 38 gr LG, but was unsure about exactly how far below the case mouth to locate the crimp and what the dia should be after side crimping.

[Hoot]

Before discovering the 200 XPB, the 225 FTX over 38gr Lil Gun was my go-to whitetail load. Plenty of smackdown and flatter shooting than the 250 FTX. The 200gr FTX is also a good choice and even more flatter shooting due to an increase in velocity over the 225. They are a little more fussy about crimp due to their lighter weight though, but still more uumph than many popular whitetail calibers out there.

Hoot

[Jim in Houston]

Before discovering the 200 XPB, the 225 FTX over 38gr Lil Gun was my go-to whitetail load. Plenty of smackdown and flatter shooting than the 250 FTX. The 200gr FTX is also a good choice and even more flatter shooting due to an increase in velocity over the 225. They are a little more fussy about crimp due to their lighter weight though, but still more uumph than many popular whitetail calibers out there.

Hoot

Still loading 38 gr LG for the 200?

[Hoot]

Before discovering the 200 XPB, the 225 FTX over 38gr Lil Gun was my go-to whitetail load. Plenty of smackdown and flatter shooting than the 250 FTX. The 200gr FTX is also a good choice and even more flatter shooting due to an increase in velocity over the 225. They are a little more fussy about crimp due to their lighter weight though, but still more uumph than many popular whitetail calibers out there.

Hoot

Still loading 38 gr LG for the 200?

To be honest Jim, I can't remember the last time I loaded anything for the 450b and the 200 FTX certainly wasn't among the last few I did. Going from memory, while they can be hustled up to 41gr of Lil Gun, 38gr had low recoil for faster recovery and followup shot should one be needed, yet it decimated 4) one gallon milk jugs of water IIRC. Seemed like a good setup for whitetails. TinyPic has lost more of my uploads than I realized. I could spend every evening until deer season arrives, tracking down which images in the 2k+ posts got dumped and relinking them through my ISP storage space.

Suffice it to say, with the 200 FTX seated so that you can catch the front cannelure with the taper crimp and pushing it along with 38gr of Lil Gun, it'll deal with just about anything on the continent. I do recall trying to seat them longer and catch the rear cannelure. Unfortunately, the rear cannelure is so close to the heel, I recall accuracy going to pot with that approach. Point also to consider is the fact that the FTX family is designed to expand optimally at modest speeds. No need to send them screaming downrange, other than flatter trajectory. Anywhere between 36-38gr of Lil Gun will suffice. Maybe load up a few steps starting at 36 and jumping up 1/2gr at a crack to 38gr, to see what your rig prefers for accuracy. The uumph will take care of itself.

Hoot