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July 7, 2005, 01:38 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 29, 2002
Location: Illinois :(
Posts: 550
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.44 mag load bullet swapping, redux.
...last time, I promise.
So I've got my chosen .44 mag load from the Hornady manual: 240 gr HP-XTP bullets, C.O.L 1.600", various powder measurements. Now, I've got a batch of these bullets, and they measure ~.711 on average. I've -also- got a batch of significantly cheaper Magtech SJSP 240 grainers. They are however, 0.686 - 0.689 in length. The question at hand is : is it kosher to use the Magtech bullets using the same powder load, and shrinking the C.O.L to take into account the shorter bullets? That is, the Magtech rounds are ~0.024 shorter, so should I lower the C.O.L by 0.024 to ~1.576"? This would -seem- the logical thing to do, but when moving into the realm of magnum rounds I'd like to be safer than sorry. I'm sure I'm just sweating an insignificant detail... |
July 7, 2005, 08:51 AM | #2 | |
Junior member
Join Date: November 12, 2000
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Posts: 9,494
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Quote:
Obviously, the hotter the charge, the more caution should be taken when switching bullets or any other componant. If you're dealing with mild or starting loads, you could likely use the sme powder charge but would still want to play around with the powder load to see if its more accurate than the other bullet, even if the bullets are almost identical yet different. Bullet construction can differ in ways unseen to the eye (or caliper) making it more or less accurate than the other all other things being equal. Sounds like you're looking for shortcuts to load development. If so, there really isn't any shortcuts. Even if you get on here and ask for good pet loads thats worked for others, you'd be a lucky man to get identical results with your gun. Load testing never ends. Find a load that works reasonably well and make it your staple load. and keep on trying different stuff until you make it better or another better load that fills the same (or different) niche. By the time you do that, a new wonder bullet or powder will be out and someone will post that one hole group with chrony figures indicating a gazzillion fpe. Then you'll just have to try that...it never ends. Just keep good notes. |
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July 7, 2005, 12:47 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: March 25, 2005
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 1,545
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Edward,
Good answer. Good shooting and be safe. LB |
July 9, 2005, 01:46 PM | #4 | |
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Join Date: May 29, 2002
Location: Illinois :(
Posts: 550
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