Popped My Cherry!

[orbitup]

Range Report

I finally was able to hit the range today. I tried my reloaded .44 spcl, 45 ACP, and 308.

The 44 was a little hotter than the cowboy loads I am used to in this gun. No signs of too much pressure. It was shooting low.

The 45 worked well. Recoil was lighter than the WWB I usually shoot but the gun cycled fine and groups looked okay for practice/plinking.

Here's a group. Just the large holes in the center of the pic.

I was really happy with my 308 loads. I bought an RCBS mic and loaded the A-Max bullets .02 from the lands. The OAL was longer than it should be but the rounds chambered fine so I went with it.

My first shot was off so I adjusted the scope and shot these 3 @ 100 yards.I forgot the stool for my cobbled together rest so I had to use this ladder thing they had out there.

These are 4 shot groups.

 

[Younggun]

Nice!

 

[Dawico]

Very nice. Feels good doesn't it?

 

[orbitup]

Very nice. Feels good doesn't it?

It really does! I did not expect results like that with my first 308 loads. Very happy.

 

[Deavis]

Use quality components with goodloading technique and your results will show it. Those Amax bullets are pretty good. Happy for you

 

[orbitup]

Use quality components with goodloading technique and your results will show it. Those Amax bullets are pretty good. Happy for you

Yeah, I really want to 'stretch it out' now. Good groups at 100 yards is too easy.

 

[Vaquero]

Congratulations!

Was there a bullet weight difference on the .44 loads, compared to the loads you had been shooting?

 

[orbitup]

Just looked at some old boxes. 240/246. The ones I loaded were 200.

 

[Vaquero]

Just looked at some old boxes. 240/246. The ones I loaded were 200.

Thought so.
If you have lighter bullets with higher velocities, you get a POI that's lower than a heavier, and lower veocity bullet.
It's noticeable. The faster lighter bullet exits the muzzle at a quicker(lower) point during recoil than a slower heavier bullet.
Rifles, not so much. Handguns below 1000 fps, it's apparent.

 

[orbitup]

So maybe I should load up a grain lower and see what happens?

 

[Vaquero]

So maybe I should load up a grain lower and see what happens?

Minimum suggested charge is where I'd start.
If needed, drop that by 10%.
If it still shoots low, check the charts and find a powder that produces the lower listed velocities.

Titegroup is my go to.

 

[orbitup]

Well, I looked up a recipe for Bullseye (what I have) and loaded it about 10% lighter. It didn't have a min/max listed so I should be good to go lower right?

 

[Vaquero]

Are your bullets lead cast or jacketed?
If lead cast, have you measured diameter?

Jacketed need higher velocities to fire safely due to a nominal diameter being .001 larger than bore.

 

[orbitup]

They are lead. I do remember reading somewhere about diameter making a difference on those. And slight variations being available.

 

[Vaquero]

Ok.
I think youre ok dropping chrge weight then.
What charge are you at now?

 

[Vaquero]

Ok. I got tne diameter stuff backwards. Jacketed are sized to bore.
lead are .001 oversized but operate better on lower velocities.


I'm seeing a round ball load for .44 special at 2.3 grains of bullseye.
Ignition is apparently not an issue at reduced charges.

 

[orbitup]

2.3? I got the recipe from Alliant for a cowboy load and it calls for 6.4. I had 5.8!

 

[Vaquero]

I have 5.2 as starting load on a 200 gr jacketed.

You got room to tone it down.
240 gr lead swc has 4.7 as starting load.

Speer reloading manual number ten is giving these charges.

 

[orbitup]

I have 200 gr RN lead.

 

[Vaquero]

I can't find a bullsey charge over 5.7 for .44 spl