450Bushmaster.net

Did a little amount of sampling this weekend. I used 4 different type of 300 grain bullets:

1. 300 grain Hornady XTP Mag
2. 300 grain Hornady HP .458 diameter 45 -70 bullet resized to .452
3. 300 grain Hornady SST (from Muzzleload packs)
4. 300 grain WNFP lead bullet (gas check)

All bullets were shot over a charge of 30.5 grs of LG and a WSR primer. I have used #2 quite a bit in the past and they shot good, but I wanted to get a feel how they would shoot at 200 yards and if the drop approximated the Hornady Web Ballistic Program. My shooting position was not the best -- prone on sandbags and using a 4X scope.

Numbers 1, 2, and 3 and shot the relatively same group size -- 1 1/4 inch to 1 1/2 inch at 100 yards. Number 4 shot 2 inches higher at 100 yards that the rest, but the group size was on the order of 6 inches -- very poor. Velocities of 1, 2, and 3 were all in the 1850 fps range. SD's and ES's were close to each other. I didn't bother with #4.

At 200 yards, 1 and 2 printed 11 inches low (100 yard zero) and group pretty much into a shade less that 3 inches. Number 3, the pointed one, shot 2 inches lower (13 inches), off to the left of the other groups and in the 4 inch range. That baffles me! It is supposed to shoot flatter -- but I am beginning to wonder if "long" bullets would prefer a little faster twist than 1/24.

Number 4 hit the target only once, which was two feet square. I have not been able to get those bullets to shoot at all --- and now they are all gone --- good ridance!

At this point my perference for a 300 gr. will now be the XTP/Mag. The nose has a little jacket cover with prevents deformation during cycling versus the 45-70 bullet and I do not have to resize them. Although, the energy of these bullets is way below the factory 250 FXT -- which sorry to say -- is a challenge to beat. I want a little heavier bullet for hunting because I am one of those that wants complete bullet penetration on a deer. If I have to follow a blood trail -- I want leaking on both sides!

Dang! That's crazy! I was countin' on that 300SST ML for the same reasons. Maybe the difference in land/grove bearing surfaces? ...jacket thickness? ...twist should affect the groupings I'd think; though Elmer Keith did identify a "key holing" effect with the 44mag and 300+ grain bullets that also caused lower velocities down range.

Hopefully someone else can give this a try and see what results they get.

well... I'd like to contribute something but I'm still waiting on BM to send me my upper
How about the T/C ML bullet. It's a 45 boattail... not sure if it's .452 though

http://tinyurl.com/6nz6yu


http://dougva.proboards34.com/index.cgi ... hread=5302

Go to these sites -- good info on same bullets were are using. Some information on 300's.

I was going to try some 300 gr. Nosler bullets. Found some at H&H Gun Shop while traveling in OK. $75.00 a box for 50. Nix that idea!

My 1st heavy weights! Loaded up some Hornady 300gr. XTP Mags over 30, 31 & 32gr. of Lil Gun. Factory brass,PMC SRPs. side crimp. Fired 1 factory load then 4 of each, Each time. 32grs seemed close to factory,primers looked fine. Anyone care to run the numbers?

gunnut wrote:My 1st heavy weights! Loaded up some Hornady 300gr. XTP Mags over 30, 31 & 32gr. of Lil Gun. Factory brass,PMC SRPs. side crimp. Fired 1 factory load then 4 of each, Each time. 32grs seemed close to factory,primers looked fine. Anyone care to run the numbers?

BD, has the QL skills down pat and he'll be along soon, but I myself need to read the "Before & After" case head expansion. You used factory brass, so we could get a fair read on the pressures. The Factory Fodder runs in the .00075" +- and I commonly use .0015 as my normal max, most guys quit at one thou. I am ordering my chamber pressure testing equipment later this month, so when the learning curve ends, we'll have a better look at what we are doing. I have in the back of my mind to do that 6000rd GI test (I forget what it's called, but it's the one that is done when something changes, like a new load, if it makes the 6000 then it is said, Good-To-GO), with a 300gr-60,000psi load that we all seem to like, and then we'll have a real good Rum-Line, so-to-speak, from that point on...Any thoughts about this idea?

I think the GI 6K round test is call the "blue Pill". I did not do a before & after for each case. But, random samples of each are. Loaded factory .498 - .499, fired factory .499. reloads @ 32gr. .498 - .499. coal was 2.07 that put the crimp groove at the case mouth.
I also loaded some 284B cases with 230gr. FMJ over 40, 41 & 42gr. of LG. cci#34 primers,side crimp. coal was 2.14. cases before were .493 and after .493. 42gr. seem just as hot as factory with this crimp.

gunnut wrote:I think the GI 6K round test is call the "blue Pill". I did not do a before & after for each case. But, random samples of each are. Loaded factory .498 - .499, fired factory .499. reloads @ 32gr. .498 - .499. coal was 2.07 that put the crimp groove at the case mouth.
I also loaded some 284B cases with 230gr. FMJ over 40, 41 & 42gr. of LG. cci#34 primers,side crimp. coal was 2.14. cases before were .493 and after .493. 42gr. seem just as hot as factory with this crimp.

I would consider these very low pressures, maybe even lower than factory, on some. The side crimp is making everything efficient and samey-samey, bring up the accuracy potential and the over-all potential..

There is a blue pill test, but it is done by all the Manf's. Wherein they use a proof load to do the final testing of the weapon. BM for instance, in each AR, shoots many repetitively, certifying every weapon before any goes out the door and if memory serves, a blue pill for the AR is in the 79,000+psi area and I think quite a bit more, but I forget the specifics, a Goggle would turn up that sammi spec. for sure..