load development

[Jim in Houston]

. . . or if you want the 225 gr FTX, you can get a box of 100 for $30 - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=192444. But Hornady doesn't think these are suitable for the 450.

[pitted bore]

. . . not sure what next 160 gr. barnes TAC-XP maybe?

rohk-
If you do decide to work with 160-grain bullets, either the Barnes or the General Bullet brands, please keep us informed of your results, whether good or less than optimal.

I found that moving to 185-grain bullets made the 450B a whole new game. To date, lab data exist only for bullets as light as 240 grains. (If I'm incorrect on this, anybody feel free to post the source.) Moving down to 230- and 200-grain bullets has not created any unusual difficulties.

However, in my guns, bullets lighter than 200-grains create problems with sufficient ignition of the powder.

Here is a list of some threads about difficulties in loading 185-grain bullets. There are warnings at the start of each thread:

• 185-grain SWC trials - Chapter 1
• Chap. 2: Trying to Blow Up the Rifle
• Chap. 3: Some WW296 Trials
• Chap. 4: Blue Dot? Well, Maybe
• Chap. 5: SRP vs LRP Cases
• Chap. 6: A Brief Trial with 2400
• Chap. 7: Crimping is our Style
• Chap. 8: 3000 FPS At Last

I've recently started to work with the 160-grain Barnes bullets. Last week I recorded velocities of 3200+ fps from my 26" barrel using 2400; this powder is actually a bit slow for this application. I need to work more on some problems with consistency.

Thanks for the link to the less expensive General Bullet.

--Bob
edited to clarify remark about powder

[rohk]

Will keep all updated as I bought the 160's, you know idiot's wade in where angels fear to tread. LOL

[rohk]

Got the General bullets in today, seriously the QL guy was either a heavy sleeper or on some serious cold medicine.


Loaded up 20 test loads, had to crimp the heck out of them just to get them to stay put. Next up shooting.

[bushmeister]

Wow, that looks really rough... I'd weigh them before I loaded them.

[rohk]

Weighed a random sample they stayed around 160 -162 grains.

[wildcatter]

If the bushmeister's hackles are up, then you'd better weigh them and check for dia's, as well. The QA looks light..

..t

[rohk]

Diameter is .451

[wildcatter]

Diameter is .451

K, but check a bunch, looking for inconsistencies..

..t

[rohk]

30 bullet and all a consistent .451