Post by davet on Jul 15, 2021 9:51:49 GMT -5
I've been working up some loads for my "new to me" Winchester 1892 in 44 magnum. I had some existing loads using a .429 sized 240gr lead hardcast over TrailBoss and also Unique powders. These loads shot like 12"-14" "patterns" at 100 yards. Not all that good.
So I looked up lead loads for the 44 mag using VV-N-110 (since I have 5-lbs of it). I subscribe to LoadData but interesting enough, the had no data listed for N-110 for a cast bullet.
Last year I purchased Lyman's 100 year reloading edition and that's where the N-110 data for 200gr. and 240gr. lead bullets could be found. The starting load was 18gr. of N-110 and the max was 20.0 for a 240gr. lead bullet.
So, I loaded up 5 rounds at 18.0gr, another 5 rounds at 18.5gr, and finally another 5 rounds at 19.0gr. Now, I do have some Hornady XTP's 200gr loaded with N-110 using 24gr. This is my revolver "deer load" and I've always found it quite effect using only one shot. Recoil is stout to say the least.
What I was looking for was an easy recoiling load for the less expensive lead bullets for plinking or perhaps the occasional groundhog.
I went to the range yesterday (early as it was heating up fast) and the first 5 were the 18.0gr. Well, I was very much surprised as the load kept a nice group (under4") at 100 yards! So, I then went to 18.5gr and the group really opened up to 9". Finally I shot the 19.0gr and that was just a shotgun pattern!!!
My next step is to load up 15 to 20 rounds at 18.0gr and see what kind of groupings I will get when the barrel heats up. BTW I did wait between each 5 round group for the barrel to cool down. It's a full length octagon barrel so I don't expect patterns to change much with heat build up....like they would with a round barrel.
I'll report my findings!!
So I looked up lead loads for the 44 mag using VV-N-110 (since I have 5-lbs of it). I subscribe to LoadData but interesting enough, the had no data listed for N-110 for a cast bullet.
Last year I purchased Lyman's 100 year reloading edition and that's where the N-110 data for 200gr. and 240gr. lead bullets could be found. The starting load was 18gr. of N-110 and the max was 20.0 for a 240gr. lead bullet.
So, I loaded up 5 rounds at 18.0gr, another 5 rounds at 18.5gr, and finally another 5 rounds at 19.0gr. Now, I do have some Hornady XTP's 200gr loaded with N-110 using 24gr. This is my revolver "deer load" and I've always found it quite effect using only one shot. Recoil is stout to say the least.
What I was looking for was an easy recoiling load for the less expensive lead bullets for plinking or perhaps the occasional groundhog.
I went to the range yesterday (early as it was heating up fast) and the first 5 were the 18.0gr. Well, I was very much surprised as the load kept a nice group (under4") at 100 yards! So, I then went to 18.5gr and the group really opened up to 9". Finally I shot the 19.0gr and that was just a shotgun pattern!!!
My next step is to load up 15 to 20 rounds at 18.0gr and see what kind of groupings I will get when the barrel heats up. BTW I did wait between each 5 round group for the barrel to cool down. It's a full length octagon barrel so I don't expect patterns to change much with heat build up....like they would with a round barrel.
I'll report my findings!!
