Hornady 90gr. .308 pistol bullets

ronl · June 27, 2015, 12:51 AM

How fast can you push these bullets before they frag? They could possibly make some pretty good HD rounds if pushed to near max velocity out of a .308 rifle while keeping recoil to a min. Anybody ever tried it before? Just curious here. Might have to get some just to try out. Might be just the ticket for SBR and 16" rifles.

mxsailor803 · June 27, 2015, 03:35 AM

For a .300bo it might be fine. Not really sure about a .308 though. Kinda curious to see where this goes.

Mobuck · June 27, 2015, 07:07 AM

Just guessing around 2000fps would be max. Those bullets would be appropriate for cartridges like the 7.62x25 which runs muzzle velocities of 1250-1400 fps.

Once upon a time, I tried some hollow point varmint bullets intended for use in the 30-30 in a 30/06. Starting loads resulted in scattered patterns of fragments at 25'.

skizzums · June 27, 2015, 01:35 PM

My favorite load for my 8" 300blk has been lapua's 90gr "cutting edge" bullet. A little short, but still feed well and is super accurate with little recoil. I would try a hornaday alternative. Since its prob cheaper and its vmax its prob longer as well

**Unclenick** · June 27, 2015, 04:02 PM

The main problem with a bullet this light will be to prevent core stripping, where the spin accelerates so quickly the jacket and core slip against each other. This severely increases group size. Flying apart can well be another result.

I think these bullets may make good plinkers, though. I would consider buying some Trail Boss and just following Hodgdon's load data instructions for it. QuickLOAD shows it can get you just past 2,000 fps with this light bullet weight. I wouldn't expect a pistol bullet to be designed to go much faster than that.

NINEX19 · June 27, 2015, 04:18 PM

Deleted. Needed to reread the original question.

zplinker · June 28, 2015, 09:02 AM

At one time, I tried loading Sierra 110 gr. Blitz pistol bullets in a 35 Remington. They chronographed at 2900 fps, shot fairly well at close range, and were positively explosive on small game!

ronl · June 28, 2015, 10:31 AM

That's what I was thinking concerning the 90gr. XTP bullets. Info is scarce, but some guys were using them in M1 carbines and .300bo AR rifles with good results driving them at velocities over 2000fps. I think getting them to 2200-2300fps would produce excellent results, that is if the bullets can handle it without fragging. I'm going to try to find the bullets locally and do some experimenting. I would like some input as to where to start, and I will be attempting to use common rifle powders, as pistol powder is rather hard to find in my area.

skizzums · June 28, 2015, 09:20 PM

2300-2400 can be expected using a 90gr bullet and max load of lil gun(slightly compressed) out of 300blk. Great bullet to kill all those evil pieces of fruit lying around. We brought a bag of grapefruits with the 90gr and it was uber messy.

Will-j · July 3, 2015, 12:20 PM

ron: Not familiar with the Hornady 90gr bullet, but Speer has a reduced load in their #12 manual: [100gr RN-SP #1805] 4759/20.0gr/1941fps in Rem 700 22".

In their #10 manual w/ same bullet: Win. 70 22"/4759/19.0/1925fps; and 4759 /17.0/1737fps.

The next lowest velocity is with IMR 4198/31.0gr/2511fps in the Win. 70

Hope this helps.

WILL.

SHR970 · July 3, 2015, 05:26 PM

Having used these in 30 Carb. I'll toss in my $.02 on this subject.

Aside from having issues with them feeding in my gun due to their profile, you have other considerations.

First and Foremost..they measure .309....not .308; if you have a tighter chamber you will have issues chambering them. I know two people with 30 carb.s that they wouldn't chamber in w/o forcing the bolt home the last bit. The brass was being pinched.

Second, at 2200 fps, they were already at the explosive expansion point.

Third, the Speer 110 varminter HP has a 2900 fps limit... I would drop this to 2400 for the Hornady. The Speer was made for the 30 Carb., the Hornady was made for the Tok. and Mauser.

If you want to go this particular route, use the Speer 110 varminter HP part # 1835. There is data for it, the limits are known, and it will do what you want. At 30 carb. velocities, I recovered one that went end to end through a 25 lb. watermelon. It expanded to over .45, retained weight was 78 gr., the melon was blown to pieces, and the inside of most of the melon was turned to goo. The slug was stopped by the pine tree behind it. Not the most scientific test but a real eye opener. I REALLY want to try some in Gel.

Will-j · July 3, 2015, 06:30 PM

SHR: I've used this bullet (Speer 110gr JHP) along with the 110gr SP in one of my 336s loaded to 2550 FPS w/3031 powder as far back as '79 for feral canines in my hunting areas at the back of the property. Both were simply devastating on the dogs [and] a couple of deer who were simply in the right place at the wrong time; Broadside boiler room shots are very effective to about 50 yds. or so, and I can't tell any difference with either one.

Initial OAL was OK with [slow], careful chambering, but the 110 RNSP required either single-loading or just one in the magazine (which still resulted in bullet slippage) unless just the slightest crimp was applied and for lack of better explanation, if the crimp resulted in the slightest swelling of the case mouth/neck/shoulder area and full chambering became a little hard...accuracy seemed to improve... But I acquired a Corbin Tool and with a new cannelure increasing OAL, they chamber with no difficulty during normal or quick working of the lever.

I also have them in one 336 for HD at 2000-2100 FPS.

WILL.

As much as I hate to admit it, I [mis-listed?] the weight of the 100gr RN-SP in the prior post as 110gr....It is listed simply as the 100gr [Plinker] in the #10 manual and as the 100gr RN-SP in the #12 manual with *Plinker* in ultra fine print vertically along-side the icon. Didn't see it clearly 'til I got my magnifying glass.
[email protected] hate it when I'm off my meds. TOODLES..

snuffy · July 5, 2015, 10:28 AM

http://www.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.309-90-gr-HP-XTP/

Hornady says 2200 fps upper limit for the 90 gr. . Otherwise just explosive expansion, or self destruction in flight.

I've used it my 7.62X25 tokorav loads in my CZ-52. Great-accurate bullet.

June 27, 2015, 01:35 PM	#4
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	My favorite load for my 8" 300blk has been lapua's 90gr "cutting edge" bullet. A little short, but still feed well and is super accurate with little recoil. I would try a hornaday alternative. Since its prob cheaper and its vmax its prob longer as well __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

June 27, 2015, 04:02 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	The main problem with a bullet this light will be to prevent core stripping, where the spin accelerates so quickly the jacket and core slip against each other. This severely increases group size. Flying apart can well be another result. I think these bullets may make good plinkers, though. I would consider buying some Trail Boss and just following Hodgdon's load data instructions for it. QuickLOAD shows it can get you just past 2,000 fps with this light bullet weight. I wouldn't expect a pistol bullet to be designed to go much faster than that. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 28, 2015, 09:20 PM	#9
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	2300-2400 can be expected using a 90gr bullet and max load of lil gun(slightly compressed) out of 300blk. Great bullet to kill all those evil pieces of fruit lying around. We brought a bag of grapefruits with the 90gr and it was uber messy. __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

July 5, 2015, 10:28 AM	#13
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	http://www.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.309-90-gr-HP-XTP/ Hornady says 2200 fps upper limit for the 90 gr. . Otherwise just explosive expansion, or self destruction in flight. I've used it my 7.62X25 tokorav loads in my CZ-52. Great-accurate bullet. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

June 27, 2015, 12:51 AM	#1
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	Hornady 90gr. .308 pistol bullets How fast can you push these bullets before they frag? They could possibly make some pretty good HD rounds if pushed to near max velocity out of a .308 rifle while keeping recoil to a min. Anybody ever tried it before? Just curious here. Might have to get some just to try out. Might be just the ticket for SBR and 16" rifles.

June 27, 2015, 03:35 AM	#2
mxsailor803 Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: SC Posts: 1,344	For a .300bo it might be fine. Not really sure about a .308 though. Kinda curious to see where this goes.

June 27, 2015, 07:07 AM	#3
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	Just guessing around 2000fps would be max. Those bullets would be appropriate for cartridges like the 7.62x25 which runs muzzle velocities of 1250-1400 fps. Once upon a time, I tried some hollow point varmint bullets intended for use in the 30-30 in a 30/06. Starting loads resulted in scattered patterns of fragments at 25'.

June 27, 2015, 04:18 PM	#6
NINEX19 Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2001 Location: Washington State Posts: 470	Deleted. Needed to reread the original question.

June 28, 2015, 09:02 AM	#7
zplinker Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2011 Location: way out here Posts: 262	At one time, I tried loading Sierra 110 gr. Blitz pistol bullets in a 35 Remington. They chronographed at 2900 fps, shot fairly well at close range, and were positively explosive on small game!

June 28, 2015, 10:31 AM	#8
ronl Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Posts: 1,100	That's what I was thinking concerning the 90gr. XTP bullets. Info is scarce, but some guys were using them in M1 carbines and .300bo AR rifles with good results driving them at velocities over 2000fps. I think getting them to 2200-2300fps would produce excellent results, that is if the bullets can handle it without fragging. I'm going to try to find the bullets locally and do some experimenting. I would like some input as to where to start, and I will be attempting to use common rifle powders, as pistol powder is rather hard to find in my area.

July 3, 2015, 12:20 PM	#10
Will-j Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2014 Location: SW Ga. Near Ft. Benning Posts: 251	.308/90gr plinker ld. ron: Not familiar with the Hornady 90gr bullet, but Speer has a reduced load in their #12 manual: [100gr RN-SP #1805] 4759/20.0gr/1941fps in Rem 700 22". In their #10 manual w/ same bullet: Win. 70 22"/4759/19.0/1925fps; and 4759 /17.0/1737fps. The next lowest velocity is with IMR 4198/31.0gr/2511fps in the Win. 70 Hope this helps. WILL. __________________ Life's too short to worry about the small stuff....... IT'S ALL SMALL STUFF. D@MN, I really miss my meds. THE WINDS OF CHANGE ARE BLOWING FROM OUR OWN CAPITOL. Last edited by Will-j; July 3, 2015 at 06:35 PM. Reason: correct inaccurate initial bullet weight info

July 3, 2015, 05:26 PM	#11
SHR970 Senior Member Join Date: January 24, 2011 Posts: 1,427	Having used these in 30 Carb. I'll toss in my $.02 on this subject. Aside from having issues with them feeding in my gun due to their profile, you have other considerations. First and Foremost..they measure .309....not .308; if you have a tighter chamber you will have issues chambering them. I know two people with 30 carb.s that they wouldn't chamber in w/o forcing the bolt home the last bit. The brass was being pinched. Second, at 2200 fps, they were already at the explosive expansion point. Third, the Speer 110 varminter HP has a 2900 fps limit... I would drop this to 2400 for the Hornady. The Speer was made for the 30 Carb., the Hornady was made for the Tok. and Mauser. If you want to go this particular route, use the Speer 110 varminter HP part # 1835. There is data for it, the limits are known, and it will do what you want. At 30 carb. velocities, I recovered one that went end to end through a 25 lb. watermelon. It expanded to over .45, retained weight was 78 gr., the melon was blown to pieces, and the inside of most of the melon was turned to goo. The slug was stopped by the pine tree behind it. Not the most scientific test but a real eye opener. I REALLY want to try some in Gel.

July 3, 2015, 06:30 PM	#12
Will-j Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2014 Location: SW Ga. Near Ft. Benning Posts: 251	Speer 110JHP SHR: I've used this bullet (Speer 110gr JHP) along with the 110gr SP in one of my 336s loaded to 2550 FPS w/3031 powder as far back as '79 for feral canines in my hunting areas at the back of the property. Both were simply devastating on the dogs [and] a couple of deer who were simply in the right place at the wrong time; Broadside boiler room shots are very effective to about 50 yds. or so, and I can't tell any difference with either one. Initial OAL was OK with [slow], careful chambering, but the 110 RNSP required either single-loading or just one in the magazine (which still resulted in bullet slippage) unless just the slightest crimp was applied and for lack of better explanation, if the crimp resulted in the slightest swelling of the case mouth/neck/shoulder area and full chambering became a little hard...accuracy seemed to improve... But I acquired a Corbin Tool and with a new cannelure increasing OAL, they chamber with no difficulty during normal or quick working of the lever. I also have them in one 336 for HD at 2000-2100 FPS. WILL. As much as I hate to admit it, I [mis-listed?] the weight of the 100gr RN-SP in the prior post as 110gr....It is listed simply as the 100gr [Plinker] in the #10 manual and as the 100gr RN-SP in the #12 manual with Plinker in ultra fine print vertically along-side the icon. Didn't see it clearly 'til I got my magnifying glass. [email protected] hate it when I'm off my meds. TOODLES.. __________________ Life's too short to worry about the small stuff....... IT'S ALL SMALL STUFF. D@MN, I really miss my meds. THE WINDS OF CHANGE ARE BLOWING FROM OUR OWN CAPITOL. Last edited by Will-j; July 3, 2015 at 07:15 PM. Reason: Correct all the OOPSIES...the second time.