3 new loads

.284 · March 10, 2012, 09:13 PM

Well, did some testing. I used R-P brass trimmed at 1.280", a CCI 350 primer, a Hornady 200 gr XTP, and 3 different powders. I crimped the bullets about a 1/4 turn past touching the case mouth. These are deer hunting rounds. W296 has always been my go to powder for a full house rounds but, I am thinking Accurate no. 5 would make a nice practice round. Can I get some comments on what I have?

aiming fluid · March 12, 2012, 12:51 AM

I like the 296 round. What did you shoot these out of?

.284 · March 12, 2012, 11:09 AM

I know the pictures are fuzzy and as a result the data is hard to read. I shot all the targets off a solid rest using my S&W 629 Classic 44 mag. As you can see, I have mounted an Eotech holographic on the gun which does a real nice job out to 100 yards. I've shot better and I've shot worse. I think I really like the AA No. 5 for a target/practice round seeing as I can load it at about half the grain weight as IMR4227......nice cost savings. Here are the numbers.....I know they are hard to read.

W296- 28.5grs= A-1601 ft/sec SD-22
IMR4227- 26.9grs= A-1449 ft/sec SD-33
AA No. 5- 15.9grs= A-1450 SD-24

AlaskaMike · March 12, 2012, 12:44 PM

That 296 load is very similar to one of my own which I call the "Forcing Cone Eroder Extraordinaire", or "Shock and Awe". 296 and light for caliber bullets are a combination that I'm not very fond of. Sure, it makes for great velocity, but it throws a huge flame and muzzle blast.

Any reason you prefer the 200 grain bullets over 240 grains? A very classic deer load is 23 to 24 grains of 296 with almost any 240 grain JHP.

.284 · March 12, 2012, 03:30 PM

I have found that using a Sierra 210 gr JHC gives me a flatter tradjectory than the 240 grainers when shooting out to 100 yards. I get about 2 inches of bullet drop versus 6" when using the heavier bullets.

In the past, I have always been a believer in practicing with what you're going to hunt with. If I am shooting a bow, I'm shooting broadheads. If I'm shooting rifle, it's hunting bullets not match grade. However, when it comes to my revolver I know that W296 and Lil Gun have that whole top strap and forcing cone erosion thing. I try to save those big dogs for the field. I shot 6 of the "Shock and Awe" loads to see what kind of group I could get with the Hornady bullets.

March 12, 2012, 03:30 PM	#5
.284 Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2009 Location: davison, michigan Posts: 665	I have found that using a Sierra 210 gr JHC gives me a flatter tradjectory than the 240 grainers when shooting out to 100 yards. I get about 2 inches of bullet drop versus 6" when using the heavier bullets. In the past, I have always been a believer in practicing with what you're going to hunt with. If I am shooting a bow, I'm shooting broadheads. If I'm shooting rifle, it's hunting bullets not match grade. However, when it comes to my revolver I know that W296 and Lil Gun have that whole top strap and forcing cone erosion thing. I try to save those big dogs for the field. I shot 6 of the "Shock and Awe" loads to see what kind of group I could get with the Hornady bullets. __________________ Guns have only two enemies, rust and politicians! Deer are amazing creatures....so please don't burn the sauteed onions and I'll pass on the steak sauce, thank you.

March 12, 2012, 12:51 AM	#2
aiming fluid Member Join Date: July 1, 2010 Posts: 44	I like the 296 round. What did you shoot these out of?

March 12, 2012, 12:44 PM	#4
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	That 296 load is very similar to one of my own which I call the "Forcing Cone Eroder Extraordinaire", or "Shock and Awe". 296 and light for caliber bullets are a combination that I'm not very fond of. Sure, it makes for great velocity, but it throws a huge flame and muzzle blast. Any reason you prefer the 200 grain bullets over 240 grains? A very classic deer load is 23 to 24 grains of 296 with almost any 240 grain JHP.