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Post by seancass on Oct 7, 2013 6:10:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the idea groo. I was just trying out whatever the load manual listed, Trail boss is great for letting anyone try out the 454. And I could use some cheaper bullets and save a few pennies!
Do you have a handy method for determining where the bottom of the bullet is inside the case?
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Post by bradshaw on Oct 7, 2013 18:05:42 GMT -5
seancass.... you're a far better shot than me to determine a difference between loads at seven yards.
Win 296/H110 has enough forgiveness to produce superior accuracy with most balanced bullets over a range of charge weights. There is no reason to run Dick Casull's .454 full throttle just to satisfy some theory that only maximum loads shoot straight. Remember, the original magnums ran around 35-40 thousand Copper Units of Pressure. Casull pushed the tachometer much higher, as we did the .357 Maximum. Fine accuracy obtains with slow powders loaded 28,000 to 60,000. Propellants in the 296/H110 to Win 680 and Accurate 1680 expand into gas pretty consistently in that 30,000 CUP arc, as measured in revolver accuracy at 100 yards with bullets up to the task.
Note that at these elevated pressures we talk SLOW POWDER ONLY.
This cushion at upper pressure with slow propellants is unavailable from fast and medium powders. The person who refuses to grasp this detail may find his gun flying to pieces, perhaps taking a bit of him with it. The cause of this misbehavior is irresponsible loading, with what should be a burn turned into a low grade detonation, which no gun is designed for.
There is plenty of accuracy to be had from Dick Casull's baby at normal magnum rocking chair pressure. A bit of air between powder and bullet won't hurt. Once again, if you want less steam from the Casull case, try seating the bullet to crimp on ogive----a dummy round without primer or powder----and see if it drops in the chamber.
To observe seating depth: lay bullet beside case, cannelure level with mouth. Mark base of bullet on case with felt tip pen. Use tooth pick and thumb to transfer measurement inside case. David Bradshaw
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Post by seancass on Nov 18, 2013 11:54:43 GMT -5
Well, I did a little more shooting this weekend! Here's the first target. Shooting rested at 25 yards(see last picture for my gear). I shot three different loads. First load(Yellow) Hornady XTP 300gr over 14 gr of Unique. Very nice, accurate load. I was actually fairly torn on seating this load to the first or second crimp groove. I chose the longer groove figuring Unique didn't need anything that even smelled like compression. Second load was a 300gr Cast Performance over about 28gr of H110. This load had just enough thump, felt 44Mag-ish, and the results speak for themselves(Blue). I think I have to claim the verticle stringing. I was focussing on front sight and perfect side-to-side alignment and it appears my results suffered a little. Even more focus/patience next time I suppose. The two shots below(Labeled "0", as in before group "1") where off hand shots thrown from a 44M Vaquero just to see how that gun liked the load I was using for my 100 yard work in my other post. Next load was 240gr XTP-MAG over 36 grains of H110. This load is fast and hits Very low. This group is down next to the 0 on the target above. I'm not sure I can take full responsibility for this load, but it happened so I'm showing it off! That works out to a group right around .72". I'm fairly happy with this load! Now that I'm looking at it zoomed in(and not on my phone) I think that the calipers are actually reading the wrong hole on the right. It doesn't have a ring of lead around it like the other holes. Here's a shot of the rig. I use the denim to protect my rest. It paid off this weekend. After fraying the jeans, a load of 454 lit the jeans on fire! So, why only three shot groups? I was tyring to eliminate operator error. I'll admit it, after nearly 60 rounds of 454 and a few 44M's, fatigue was setting in. This gun will take practice and lots of it. I have no problem admitting i need more practice and I look forward to my next chance to practice more!
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Post by bradshaw on Nov 18, 2013 18:08:21 GMT -5
seancass.... no need to apologize for shooting three shot groups. Not with a cannon. Once you know the load, two shots is fine. Add to current scarcity and inflation... make each shot the only one you have. Until you need another. It is better to squeeze a few careful shots than to fill the landscape full of bullet holes. David Bradshaw
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cmh
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,745
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Post by cmh on Nov 18, 2013 18:22:03 GMT -5
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groo
.327 Meteor
I yet live!!!!
Posts: 855
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Post by groo on Nov 19, 2013 6:38:13 GMT -5
Groo here +1 +1 +1 on David's last. My shooting coach always said, 5 careful correct shots were better than a box of hap-hazzard ones.
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shorty500
.327 Meteor
too many dirty harry movies created me!
Posts: 912
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Post by shorty500 on Nov 19, 2013 12:16:55 GMT -5
we always said when trapshooting that you dont shoot a 100 target event, you shoot 100 single target events
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Post by seancass on Nov 19, 2013 14:20:51 GMT -5
This reminds me of something I heard/read somewhere that still rings true whenever I'm shooting: If you want to shoot better, stop taking bad shots! Think about it. There are plenty of times when you squeeze a shot off and instantly know it wasn't accurate. Some people call them "Called Flyers" You KNEW it was a bad shot before the bullet was out of the barrel. Stop doing that! Slow down, if you feel a bad shot coming, stop, reset, relax. Just a friendly reminder to myself, i guess. Bradshaw, thanks for sticking with this thread! There can be no doubt it has helped me along in my shooting career. cmh, you know how to make a man blush when you walk into a room, wink at him, and leave without saying anything!
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