200 FTX - Going the other way
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:03 pm
While I respect others pursuing just how much muzzle velocity and energy they can achieve short of damaging their rifles, I am going the other way. Aside from determining a cost effective jacketed, paper-punching load, my only other interest is working up an adequate CXP2 loading AKA Whitetail Load. Up until now, I have had excellent results using a 150 gr .308 for deer. As I've joked before, I'm not trying to kill several standing abreast with one shot.
The standard load of 37 gr Lil Gun pushing the 250 FTX worked out just fine, producing an average velocity of 2252 fps and shooting a little over 1 MOA at 100 yards. That was with a poorly fitting scope (too low). Something I am in the process of remedying as I write this. That will be a fine load if I decide to hunt CXP3 or dangerous game, but IMHO way overkill for the thin skinned Whitetail.
So, I am experimenting with the 200 gr FTX. I believe the TKO value at 2200 fps yielding 2150 ft/lbs of muzzle energy to be more than adequate for Whitetails, while being more pleasant to shoot. I've taken many of them in the thick woods of Northern Minnesota with my longest shot being 70 yards. There is not a lot of data available for free WRT the 200 FTX out of the 450B. The data available for the 460 S&W seemed like a good starting point.
I loaded some three shot test-lots with 41, 42 and 43 gr of 2400. I seated the bullets to the second cannelure without expanding the cases to get as much neck tension as possible with the shorter 200s, followed by a trip through the taper crimp to .477. I didn't get very far with the test though. The 41 gr loads passed over the chrony at 2574, 2582 and 2569 fps. The perceived recoil was much more harsh than the 250s at 2200 despite the recoil calculator saying the 250s had more recoil. The group at 100 yards was a lot looser than the 250s. Though the primers did not show undue flattening, the brass had pronounced extractor and ejector marks. They sealed well in the chamber as there was no sooting whatsoever around the mouths. I have not measured them for other case distortion. Needless to say, I didn't bother shooting the 42 and 43 gr loads.
When seating the bullets, there was a barely perceivable crunching at the 43 gr load which I read as sightly compressed. I have no concerns reducing the loads downward a little, until the marks on the head diminish with an ultimate goal of 2200 fps unless I find an accuracy node along the way, or sooting starts. When my YHM risers come, I intend to load up some 37, 38, 39 and 40 gr loads. There's not a lot of wiggle room on seating depth, so I can't play much with leade to try and find an accuracy node like I do with my bolt action varminters (.223, .22-250, 6mm Rem and .260 Rem).
I will report more after my next range outing. Once I find my sweet spot for these, I will do the milk jugs or wet phone books test. Depends upon when we get new phone books at work.
Hoot
The standard load of 37 gr Lil Gun pushing the 250 FTX worked out just fine, producing an average velocity of 2252 fps and shooting a little over 1 MOA at 100 yards. That was with a poorly fitting scope (too low). Something I am in the process of remedying as I write this. That will be a fine load if I decide to hunt CXP3 or dangerous game, but IMHO way overkill for the thin skinned Whitetail.
So, I am experimenting with the 200 gr FTX. I believe the TKO value at 2200 fps yielding 2150 ft/lbs of muzzle energy to be more than adequate for Whitetails, while being more pleasant to shoot. I've taken many of them in the thick woods of Northern Minnesota with my longest shot being 70 yards. There is not a lot of data available for free WRT the 200 FTX out of the 450B. The data available for the 460 S&W seemed like a good starting point.
I loaded some three shot test-lots with 41, 42 and 43 gr of 2400. I seated the bullets to the second cannelure without expanding the cases to get as much neck tension as possible with the shorter 200s, followed by a trip through the taper crimp to .477. I didn't get very far with the test though. The 41 gr loads passed over the chrony at 2574, 2582 and 2569 fps. The perceived recoil was much more harsh than the 250s at 2200 despite the recoil calculator saying the 250s had more recoil. The group at 100 yards was a lot looser than the 250s. Though the primers did not show undue flattening, the brass had pronounced extractor and ejector marks. They sealed well in the chamber as there was no sooting whatsoever around the mouths. I have not measured them for other case distortion. Needless to say, I didn't bother shooting the 42 and 43 gr loads.
When seating the bullets, there was a barely perceivable crunching at the 43 gr load which I read as sightly compressed. I have no concerns reducing the loads downward a little, until the marks on the head diminish with an ultimate goal of 2200 fps unless I find an accuracy node along the way, or sooting starts. When my YHM risers come, I intend to load up some 37, 38, 39 and 40 gr loads. There's not a lot of wiggle room on seating depth, so I can't play much with leade to try and find an accuracy node like I do with my bolt action varminters (.223, .22-250, 6mm Rem and .260 Rem).
I will report more after my next range outing. Once I find my sweet spot for these, I will do the milk jugs or wet phone books test. Depends upon when we get new phone books at work.
Hoot