23 gr 296 (or 110) for .44 250gr boolit?

[ghh3rd]

I loaded up some 310 gr .44 boolits with 21.5 gr of 296. I haven't loaded any yet, but found suggested loads for the 250 gr .44 boolit at 23 gr of 296.

I was trying to figure out why the lighter boolit would require more powder than the heaver boolit, and came up with the following theory.

The heavier boolit would be harder to get moving in the barrel, thereby giving the smaller amout of powder more time to burn.

The smaller boolit would move farther in the barrel in the same amount of time, and therefore require more powder to burn enough to push it out at the desired speed.

If this is correct, I would guess that there is a lot of unburned powder coming out of the barrel with the smaller boolit.

First of all, does my load of 23gr of 296 for the 250gr boolit seem about in the mid-range.

Secondly, does my theory sound plausible?

Thanks

Randy

[KYCaster]

First of all, does my load of 23gr of 296 for the 250gr boolit seem about in the mid-range.

Secondly, does my theory sound plausible?

Thanks

Randy



First of all, according to my Sierra 5th edition, both your loads are very near MAX. And according to Winchester, your 310 gr. load is about 10% over max.

Secondly.......yeah, kinda-sorta. Its all about pressure and momentum. The greater momentum of the heavier bullet will resist the expanding gases and cause higher pressure resulting in greater velocity with equal powder charges.

Lighter bullets, having less momentum will allow the gases to expand more freely resulting in less pressure and lower velocity with equal powder charges.

Jerry

[lwknight]

A slow powder like 296 is tough and forgiving. I plan to experiment with free space vs velocity in reduced loads. I do already know that a very light bullet will be radical from fast to very slow with too little powder.
And we all know that you need at least 90 percent fill with 296. I will use a 240 grain bullet to test with.
I will seat the bullet to just touching 20 grains powder in 5 cases and in the next 5 I will leave a full 10% clear space.
If it ever quits raining and the sun shines enough for the chrono to work.

[yondering]

Secondly, does my theory sound plausible?

Thanks

Randy

Not exactly.

Maximum load data is based on the pressure limit of that cartridge and firearm. With a shorter, lighter bullet (less inertial resistance, less bore friction, higher case capacity) more powder can be used before the pressure limit is reached.

You should probably invest in a good reloading manual, like the Speer, and read it. This stuff is all explained pretty well in the manuals.

[dale2242]

23 gr 296/H110 with a 310 boolit seem like a VERY HEAVY load in a 44 Mag. My favorite heavy load with a 240-250 gr boolit is 22 gr of 296. It is very accurate....dale

[arcticbreeze]

I can attest that is an uncomfortable load to shoot. I use only 18.5 gr with that weight (300-310gr) boolit for a hunting load at approx 1200 fps. This gun is new for you so I guess it will be fun just to "see what it is like" but a regular diet of those is too much for me. I don't think you are in any danger though, the NMSB hunter is a strong action. However in the future you should start lower and work up, not start high and work down.

Respectfully
Marc

[lead_her_fly]

I just loaded up some of the 23gr W296/H110 loads myself and the velocity was right at 1600fps from my Marlin 1894CB.

The bullets are too small for my rifle and accuracy was poor. The velocity was OK but I have achieved more from different molds that fit the bore better.

My current load for the Marlin with lead bullets is 26gr H110/W296 under 200gr LRNFP from a Lee mold with a Wolf Large Pistol Magnum primer, firm crimp and White Label Lube's BAC. From those loads I am getting 1 1/2" groups @ 100 yards and they are leaving the barrel just a tad over 1850fps.

I did a lot of research on these loads. I checked every manual from the Speer #5 on (I got this load from the Lee #2 manual) all the way to the Lyman #49.

I get no leading with this bullet and the mold works very well. The reason I chose the lighter bullet is because of the rifling twist, 1-38 (lighter bullets seem to work better) and it was the only non-tumble lube one available locally! (real scientific!) The nose shape chambers like a dream although I have no trouble with the Keith style either.

At any rate, I hope this helps.

[TCLouis]

correct.
Long answer will be edited in later when I get back from the range.
18.5-21.5 grains of 296 may be about all the fun you want out of the NMSBH anyway with a 300+ grain boolit.

[ghh3rd]

Used 23.5 gr of 296 for the 250 gr PB boolits, and 21.5 gr for the 320 gas checked cast boolits. The 250 weren't too bad, fired 50 of them -- the 310 were quite a handful, but fun, fired 38 of them. Eventually, two of the 310's thumped my knuckle, and I was done.

There was Speed Green on the 250's and Alox on the 320's, and didn't have much leading -- can't tell which or if both contributed to any leading since I fired both types in one session.

Now that I had my fun, I will start with the lower loads and work up to see if accuracy changes.

Randy

[26Charlie]

Randy,
My standard load with the .44 Mag and 250 gr. Keith bullet 429421 is 22.5 gr. H-110, giving about 1350 f/s from revolvers. This is a powerful load, but not so hard on the hands. Oddly enough,, 296 powder is supposed to be a twin to H-110 but I get a lot more muzzle flash with it than H-110, which is virtually flashless.
I don't shoot the 300 grainers in the revolvers any more, since I broke my Ruger flat top with them. The stud holding the ejector rod housing broke off, and I had to send it to Ruger for repair. I do use them in the rifles.