500 JRH Load Questions

[squigz]

Hi y'all,

First time poster but have been following you guys for months. I blame you all for the sickness that started my newly ignited single action big bore love... 

Anywho.. I purchased a BFR 5.5" in 500 JRH, been plagued with issues of the gun shooting too high. Initially thought I had their "high sight blade" when I needed their "extra high". So I sent them an email and they immediately obliged to send me the front sight sans any costs to me. (great customer service, by the way. not for the free sight but for the knowledge and promptness in responses.) When the package arrived I matched up the sights and came to the immediate knowledge that I had the extra high. Sh!t. 

I just got off the phone with them and they spoke with the gunsmith and someone else and they asked me what my FPS range was and what my load data was. I'm currently shooting 10 grains of W231 being lite up by a WLP over a 400gr Sierra flatpoint (I have some 440 cast from Matt's Bullets that I'm planning on shooting once the Sierra's are shot out). Based off data charts and some guesses - I'm guessing the load is between 900-950 fps out the barrel (unfortunately I don't have a chronograph to test the speeds). MRI/BFR said that the speed was too slow and it was causing the bullets to rise due to recoil before fully exiting the barrel. To me, I was quite flabbergasted since I can barely get an arrow to react in competitions when I give it some english on a low shot, let alone a 900 fps bullet.

Now, I have W296 for hot loads whilst hunting but I can't shoot those all day (as fun as they are). Also have a phletora of other powders that are mostly rifle powders and some older pistol powders. Outside of W296 and W231 I have some HS6 as well, I'm opening to purchasing more if necessary and would give me something that's nice and comfortable to shoot. 

So I guess in a really round about long winded way, I'm asking what load data could/should I follow to get the speeds of my 400/440's up to around 1100 fps in a comfortable manner?

I'm trying not to go outside of my normal limits with creating pressure spikes etc., if a range of grains is given I usually work my way up until I find what works and never tread water too closely to the max.

Thanks!
-Bill

[Encore64]

Bill, I use Unique in my 500 JRH for lighter loads. Using 475 Linebaugh data from the Speer manual. Have had great success with it with all bullet weights.

The slow moving, heavy bullets are causing the muzzle to rise before they exit the barrel and that's likely why you're hitting high.

You didn't mention which rear sight your gun wears, but that's important here too.

[medicdave]

How tall is the front sight from the barrel mounting surface? There's aftermarket options for front sights depending on how much taller you need to be. Dawson precision has a screw on front sight for the Mark ii ruger .490" tall from the barrel, kensight has one .595 above the barrel with the option of a night sight, and our own 2dogs manufactures a tall replacment sight. All are quite a bit better looking than the stock ones as well.

[squigz]

Sept 12, 2017 14:00:20 GMT -5 Encore64 said:

Bill, I use Unique in my 500 JRH for lighter loads. Using 475 Linebaugh data from the Speer manual. Have had great success with it with all bullet weights.

The slow moving, heavy bullets are causing the muzzle to rise before they exit the barrel and that's likely why you're hitting high.

You didn't mention which rear sight your gun wears, but that's important here too.

I'm using whatever comes standard on the BFR's, I apologize for my ignorance in not knowing the brand/physical type that it is.

I'll have to check out Speer's load data for such, I might have a few books lying around at home that might contain that necessary data. 

I appreciate the reply!

[paul105]

Here are some data point for you.

From my 5" JRH converted 500 JRH Freedom Arms M83
Chrono 5 long steps from muzzle
60 Deg F

440gr WFNGC (Leadheads and Rimrock -- they could be twins)

10.0gr HP38 (same as WW231) = 910 fps
14.8gr HS6 -----------------= 1,040 fps
14.0gr Longshot ------------= 1,110 fps
26.4gr H4227 ---------------= 1,210 fps

Hodgdon's online data shows both the Longshot and H4227 as starting loads.

FWIW,

Paul

[squigz]

Sept 12, 2017 14:03:51 GMT -5 medicdave said:

How tall is the front sight from the barrel mounting surface? There's aftermarket options for front sights depending on how much taller you need to be. Dawson precision has a screw on front sight for the Mark ii ruger .490" tall from the barrel, kensight has one .595 above the barrel with the option of a night sight, and our own 2dogs manufactures a tall replacment sight. All are quite a bit better looking than the stock ones as well.

I would have to grab my caliper when I'm home to tell you exactly the height of it. I've looked into getting a replacement sight since I do like the ascetics of them much more than the standard blade that comes from MRI. But based off what was said plus what others have mentioned it might be better for me to change my loads and see what happens rather than making a change such as this. 

Thanks!

[squigz]

Sept 12, 2017 14:11:20 GMT -5 paul105 said:

Here are some data point for you.

From my 5" JRH converted 500 JRH Freedom Arms M83
Chrono 5 long steps from muzzle
60 Deg F

440gr WFNGC (Leadheads and Rimrock -- they could be twins)

10.0gr HP38 (same as WW231) = 910 fps
14.8gr HS6 -----------------= 1,040 fps
14.0gr Longshot ------------= 1,110 fps
26.4gr H4227 ---------------= 1,210 fps

Hodgdon's online data shows both the Longshot and H4227 as starting loads.

FWIW,

Paul

Thanks Paul! 

I'll look and see if i have the H4227 sitting around, there's a small possibility on that. I believe my LGS also has some Longshot on the shelves and if that's the case I might end up picking up a pound to test it out.

I greatly appreciate you sharing your data!

Thanks,
-Bill

[Encore64]

The reason I asked involved the old Ruger sights. You can buy different height rear blades and easily replace them.

I'd thought maybe a lower rear sight may solve your problem.