Max range with WFN and OWC?

[okie john]

Over the years, I’ve killed killed several deer with S&W Model 29 variants using a 240 SWC and enough Unique to move them about 1,050 fps. This load shoots well at longer ranges, as do LFN designs in a couple of Ruger 45 Colt Bisleys that I used to own. I recently bought a Lipsey’s 5½” Ruger Flat Top Convertible 45, and I want to give it a try on deer. Where I hunt, shots are never more than 100 yards.

Based on advice I've seen around here, I’m looking at WFN and OWC bullets, but I've had trouble with them before. I’ve had 148-grain wadcutters over 3 grains of Bullseye tumble at distances past about 50 yards when fired from an 8 3/8” S&W Model 27 that shot like a rifle with other loads.

I also tried a 220-grain OWC from Montana Bullet Works in a 5” Model 629 Classic over 10 grains of Unique, but groups were so big that it literally wasn’t worth measuring them. On the same day, I was making 2” groups at 25 yards with a Ruger Bisley in 22 LR and slightly larger groups with the 629 and a 4" Model 29-2 using the SWC load, so pretty sure it wasn’t me.

I’ve also had trouble making a plain-base 280 WFN (also from Montana Bullet Works) shoot well out of the same 629 and a 5½” Super Blackhawk, both of which shot well with several other loads. Velocity was 850-900 fps also over Unique. These two boolits came from Montana Bullet Works and were sized to match the cylinder throats, so they’re probably a solid product.

What’s the secret to getting 100-yard accuracy out of a WFN or OWC design? Or should I stick to LFN and SWC designs?

Thanks,


Okie John

[white eagle]

for me I'd say if it aint broke
seriously you have good luck with these designs before
I would start there

[Larry Gibson]

"What’s the secret to getting 100-yard accuracy out of a WFN or OWC design? Or should I stick to LFN and SWC designs?"

Probably using a shorter lighter weight one that gives better stability at the velocities you mention in the 18 3/8" twist of your S&Ws.

[444ttd]

i used the 220gr owc and 10.0gr of unique in my 44 mag to hunt deer with, but 50 yards is my maximum. i "think" that 50 yards is the owc maximum too. beyond that it may tumble. i use a 255gr keith swc over 7.5gr of unique(44spl) in my 44 mag. it is great on deer, but i've shot them at 30-35 yards. i've used a 280gr wfn gc(MBW) with 10.5gr of unique. i haven't shot a deer with it but at 50 yards it will go 3+/-" group.

Notes from Dave, Founder MBW:
LFN – Long nose profile ballistically better for shooting long range (over 100 yds) – excellent hunting bullet
WFN – Large wound channel, but not a long range bullet (less than 100 yds) – excellent hunting bullet
Keith style v. SWC – Every mould maker has a different definition of what a Keith style bullet means. In Keith’s time, the only other bullet types were Wadcutter (WC) and round-nose (RN), both of which he felt were inferior hunting bullet designs. Bullets identified as SWC on the price list are that mould makers expression of a Keith style bullet.

[okie john]

Thanks to all who replied.

"What’s the secret to getting 100-yard accuracy out of a WFN or OWC design? Or should I stick to LFN and SWC designs?"

Probably using a shorter lighter weight one that gives better stability at the velocities you mention in the 18 3/8" twist of your S&Ws.

How about in a Ruger 45 Colt with a 1:16 twist?

Thanks,


Okie John

[Messy bear]

twist wont matter very much. its the nose shape. only testing like your doing will reveal. some wfn designs are good but most are innaccurate at some point down range. just test like your doing and hunt accordingly. a good keith or lfn will fly forever for whatever its worth.
jeff

[Larry Gibson]

Thanks to all who replied.



How about in a Ruger 45 Colt with a 1:16 twist?

Thanks,


Okie John

Should do better (maintain accuracy to a farther distance) in the 16" twist but, as mentioned, the sometimes almost cylindrical bullet shape of some WFN/OWC does come into play.

[Three44s]

okie John,

A big welcome to the Boolits forum!

Three44s

[okie john]

a good keith or lfn will fly forever for whatever its worth.

Thanks. That's worth a lot.


Okie John

[okie john]

okie John,

A big welcome to the Boolits forum!

Three44s

Thanks. I've lurked for a while. This is my first thread and first post.


Okie John

[Piedmont]

I don't think your problem is twist either. I had a 230 grain OWC mold that shot OK, not great, at 25 yds. and was fairly worthless after that from S&W and Ruger revolvers. A 280 grain WFN from a Marlin 1-38" twist shot acceptably well even at 200 yards. So I think it is bullet form. The 280 WFN does better in my opinion because it is much longer, giving better stability in the air. I've sort of come to the conclusion that extra blunt bullets are snake oil. Elmer figured that out with his blunt B&M designs in .45 and .44 before he came up with the Keith SWC and that was a very long time ago.

If you want better target impact go with a hollow point version of a Keith, SWC, or LFN. It won't penetrate as well as the solid, but it will be more accurate than the super blunt designs out to as far as you can hit anything.

[centershot]

As stated, the WFN design is almost a wadcutter, and most of us know how accuracy deteriorates past 50 yds. with this design. A WFN can deliver good accuracy to 100 yards IF you drive it fast enough! RPM is your friend here, and YES, twist does matter! A faster twist equals higher RPM, helping to prevent the boolit from yawing as it sheds velocity.

As Piedmont stated above, his carbine was accurate to 200 yards. The velocity achieved in the longer barrel allowed that bullet to fly point-on farther than a pistol would allow. A light load of 9 gr. of Unique and a 250 gr. boolit will kill deer all day long, I used that load for years. But, it's not a long range load. Inside 50 yards, it's as deadly as anything else. If you need to reach out, you need more than 1000 fps muzzle velocity. Speed matters. Twist matters.