.414SM,…….load development

[bigbrowndog]

In the what did you LOAD today post, I mentioned loading 414sm ammo. Yesterday afternoon I was able to shoot it. JRH 414SM, 7.5” barrel, Burris 2-7x, at 50 yards. In Lee’s article on the 414 he mentions getting good results from AA1680 and his velocities with 250-265gr loads are in the 1500-1600fps range.

I couldn’t break 1400fps, I wasn’t able to get past 1350fps. Accuracy was good, on the order of 2” and less for 3 shots, 5 shots generally made it a solid 2” grouping. Taking a load out of an old Sierra manual that claimed 1500+ fps for a 210gr. bullet only produced 1383fps. That particular load did shoot a 1” group at 50yds, but I can get 1430fps with less powder from a regular 41mag and H110. Every load tried of AA1680, produced 150-200fps less than others have claimed or documented, I had even bumped loads a half grain beyond published maximums and showed no excessive pressure signs, but still slow velocities. I was beginning to think my barrel was just SLOW.

I switched to 4227, with one of Sixshots 250gr PC’d Blue HP bullets and the chrono showed 1501fps for an average of 5 shots and a 2” group. Ok, now I’m a bit more optimistic, I only had the one load of 4227, and it came off of Lee’s article. My average for the five was a touch higher than Lee’s, he showed 1480fps, but at least now I’ve got a real 414SM.

I moved on to a load I had with H110, and a 210xtp, it produced an average of 1555fps for five and nestled those five into an inch and a half at 50yds. Next up was more of Sixshots Blue HP with H110. It sent five across the chrono at 1606fps avg. and very consistent velocities, but was flattening primers a bit, so I’ll drop it a half grain and retry.

All this to say, while some may expound virtues of a particular powder for various reasons. It pays to try several and see what your individual gun likes. The current thought is that AA1680 is better for the taller powder column of Maximum or SuperMag cartridges. It may be true in the larger diameter ones like .475 and .500 or .510, it doesn’t necessarily work that way for the slimmer .357 and we might be able to add the .414 to the list.

Trapr

[bula]

Thanks for sharing. With a 350 Legend here, I find this of interest too. 

[Fowler]

What primer were you using? Never played with this cartridge or powder but if the other powders are hitting the velocity expectations and that one is way off it would seem something else is going on.

Just a thought

[bigbrowndog]

Fowler, I’ve used LR CCI and LPM CCI, the rifle primers were causing ignitions issues so I stopped using them, I think they were just too hard. The last batch I shot were all LPM CCI and I had zero ignition issues, they all went bang.

[45MAN]

GOOD REPORT, LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE ON THE THRESHOLD OF A MIGHTY FINE LOAD

[bigbrowndog]

I would love to be able to have Sixshots 250 HP be a do all, one bullet load. I would be interested to see what a 210AF could accomplish on 500# and heavier game as well. The bullet Dick used on his African trip is in the mix as well, both air cooled and water quenched, I’m just so leery of cast solid bullets on medium game after my first experience with the 500Max on pronghorn.

I’ll be loading a couple more variations up and shooting them in late January, after I return from SHOT show.

Trapr

[Fowler]

My first instinct would be to reach for CCI350 primers but I might be way off here. Just my quick 2 cents.

I shot Robb's Harton built 414 and it was a cool package, easy to shoot very well without getting abused with recoil for the performance levels he was running.

[bigbrowndog]

Dec 30, 2021 12:37:36 GMT -5 Fowler said:

My first instinct would be to reach for CCI350 primers but I might be way off here. Just my quick 2 cents.

My first grab is normally CCI 350’s as well, but Lee and others had mentioned using Std Rifle primers so I figured I’d try them.  Even with powder columns as thick and tall as 500Max I’ve never had an issue with them.  

I also agree with your other statement about the 414, while not as easy shooting as the 357max.  It is quite controllable with minimal grip tension, which helps lead to accuracy at distance and consistency in the ability to give the equal grip in all shooting.  Considering I am looking at using this as a replacement for my 357max in all around general purpose hunting and allow more bullet weight for elk sized critters.  I’m happy to be getting the velocity with the heavier bullets.

Ive loaded more ammo and will be shooting it later this week, stay tuned for further info.

Trapr

[rjm52]

Very interesting to hear...

Reeder recommended H110 in his GNR #2 which is a .444SM necked down to .41...I tried AAC-1680 and it was much faster than his H-110 loads...but that was in a closed breech TC barrel not a revolver. Was getting 2k from a 13" barrel and 255 CP bullet.

Am getting 1444 fps with a 250 grain Accurate 41-250L and 22.0 grains of H110...and is extremely accurate from a 6" FA 83. Have been wondering what they would run from a 7.5" Ruger Hunter or 8 3/8" S&W 57.

With a Hornady 210 XTP...I'm using 22 or 23 grains... How much more will the SC case hold...

Bob

[bigbrowndog]

Five more grains at least.

Trapr

[messybear]

Having messed with longer powder columns, I found this interesting.
If you can find it, on CB forums there was a thread about magnum primers in 475 long with WC 680.
His pressure testing revealed that with BOTH rifle and pistol primers, the 350 was the second hottest! Maybe you just need more spark? Or your lot is slow?

[Lee Martin]

I haven't chrono'd large pistol (either standard or magnum) in the .414 SuperMag. But standard rifle have posted good speeds with AA1680 and AA5744. Give them a try. My guess is you'll see to velocity gain.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Chasing perfection five shots at a time"

[bigbrowndog]

Well I spent a good afternoon wringing out two loads, H110 with 210Speer Deep Curls and Sixshots 250HP. Consistent velocities we’re recorded with the 250,……1527, 1520, 1536, 1546, 1550.

The 210 had a bit wider disparity but nothing alarming. The 210 provided an 1.375” group at 50 and the 250 produced an even inch,at the same distance.
The 4227 loads were chrono’d but not checked for accuracy, and only 250gr bullets were used. 250 HP and 250 air cooled WFN. Very consistent on them as well, low of 1466, high of 1510 for the HP. Low of 1478, hi of 1514 for the WFN. Primers were slightly flattened so I think I’ll go no further with 4227, looking forward to checking accuracy.

Everything was touched off with CCI 350’s……..Lee I had tried Std. LR primers with 1680 and still got low velocity, I’m wondering if current lots of powder are slower???  I recall your article on the 500Max mentioned lower velocities on differing lots of it.

Trapr

[flyingzebra]

Jan 14, 2022 20:04:11 GMT -5 bigbrowndog said:

... The 210 provided an 1.375” group at 50 and the 250 produced an even inch,at the same distance...

That's fantastic

[fre3]

I get 2000 fps with 1680 and a 210 xtp. Then again its its a 27 inch barrel encore!