Any help? Unknown velocity.

[dieseldude03]

Hello all. I've been the proud owner of a .50 cal 10ML-II for several years and have had good luck with it so far. I've been working up a new load for this rifle in preparation for the upcoming whitetail season. I've stumbled across a load it seems to like especially well. It consists of a 250grn Hornady SST wrapped in a short black MMP sabot sitting on top of 68 grains of H-4198. This mixture is being ignited buy CCI magnum 209's.

As I have no access to a chronograph, all I can do is guess at the velocity of this load (2500 fps?), but obviously this doesn't accomplish anything. I'd like real numbers so I can calculate the bullet's downrange trajectory.

Anyone here using the same load that can shed some light on this mystery?

Thanks. And great board.

[wilmsmeyer]

You are in the 2500 fps range....maybe a tad higher.

However, even with this knowledge, nothing is better for your trajectory assumptions then verifying at the range. Tables are great but they are developed using variables that might change with each set up.. Most use 1 1/2" sight line above bore centerline and if you are splitting hairs or shooting over 200 yds or so, this can matter. Then throw in BC's that may or may not be accurate, climatic variables etc and the tables become more of a general rule and not a science.

Additionally, if your shots will be under 200 yds you could probably sight dead on at 150 and not worry about anything...point and shoot.

[youp50]

I have had some ignition problems with a similar load in cold weather. Not your average chilly stuff, but zero or below. If you hunt in a balmy location such as I, perhaps loading and freezing your gun and test firing your gun now will save you a missed trophy later.

The 250 gr is a little light for good back pressure. It can be overcome by dropping back a bit on the main powder and adding a starter powder. Many members duplex for increased muzzle velocity, some do it for reliable ignition in cold weather.

[dieseldude03]

Thanks guys. I'm trying for an honest-to-goodness 300 yard whitetail load. Living here in Ohio, we are not permitted to use breach-loading, metallic cartridge rifles for our deer. During firearms season, we're allowed shotguns firing slugs only (no buckshot), certain handguns and muzzle-loading rifles. I live in farm country and a lot of us have taken to modern muzzle-loaders, due to their ability to reach out to 200 yards and beyond. The fields I hunt are open bean, corn and hay fields with small tree lines and fence rows. Great for growing big deer but bad for hunters trying to get within range. I hunt em just like I do groundhogs in the summer... sitting on my butt in a fence row and shooting off a set of Harris bi-pods.

I have almost always used H4198 in my Savage, but with a milder charge (60 grns) and heavier bullet (300 grn XTP). This load shot well and hit like a sledge hammer but drops like a stone past 200 yards.

I have passed on truly impressive deer the last few years because they were past my self-imposed 200 yard limit, due to the rainbow-like arc the bullet takes past that range. The groundhog hunter in me said a 20 percent lighter bullet with better aerodynamics moving at 20 percent higher velocities should equal a load predictable enough for an ethical 300-yard shot, hence the reason for developing the new load.

Good shooting conditions today. Relatively light wind (5-10 mph shooting into) 65% humidity and 56 degrees. Think I'll hang a target at 200 yards, sight to that, then move out to 300 and see how much it drops. If it under a foot, I think I'll run with it.

[DBinNY]

Most of the guys here that are shooting 300 yards with the .50s are doing it with 300 gr bullets at 2300 fps or faster. The 2300 fps zeroed at 200 are about 18" low at 300 but you must verify it yourself with your load. Glad to have another woodchuck hunter aboard! I've found the 300 gr bullets to be adequate on woodchucks ;D.

[wilmsmeyer]

Deisel,

If you want something fast try this:

76-80- grains H4198 under a 250 gr bullet.

A few years ago, I hunted with a 250 Barnes TMZ using 80 gr of H4198. MV was a solid 2850 and I tickled 2900 a few times. Shot 4-5 deer with this load (all under 100 yds)

Groups were sound out to 200 yds although I never shot at 300. The charts say that with a 200 zero you should be approx 10" low at 200.

You may be able to shot better groups with an SST but up close you would have a bomb.

[dieseldude03]

Had something interesting happen while checking my 300 yard drop yesterday. I had ordered a new batch of MMP black sabots as my supply had all but run out. While double-checking my 100 yard zero (3.5 inches high), my groups had opened up a bit and I found some sabots down range with a missing petal. Not all of them, but a few. I've never had an issue with MMP sabots before, so I'm curious what has changed. Group size for this load increased from an average of 1 1/4" @ 100 yards to 2". Not overly impressed with these results. I did notice a few of them did load a bit easier than the rest. Usually the MMP's offer stiff loading. I use a heavy brass range rod due to this. I'm guessing it was the "easy loaders" that shed the petals?

[zakjak221]

Diesel,

I agree with DB and 300 gr. bullets that is.
In my experience,the BO or Rem. 300 gr are the ticket for whitetail.
You'll get an exit wound and a blood trail--usually not very far either.
I'm not a big fan of the SST's,having lost a deer presumably due to bullet fragmentation & NO exit wound or blood trail.
My .02 cents.
Mark

[edge]

IMO, find the most accurate bullet you can....then deal with trajectory!

A .21 BC 250 grain bullet @ 2600 fps will be about
+3 @ 100
zero @ 200
-13 @ 300 with plenty of power.

A 300 grain .250 BC @ 2300

+3 @ 100
- 1 1/2 @ 200
-18 @ 300 with more energy.

Much below .200 on the BC and your drop will reduce energy at extended range.
Close in shots at high velocity with light bullets can result in fragmentation so heart / lung shots are preferred...IMO .

edge.

[Chris Champion]

For a good 300 yd load might I suggest the .458 dia. 300g Barnes Original Semi-Spitzer, Harvester Black Crush Rib sabot, and 67g H4198. In my old 50 cal barrel it shot 2400 fps and was trajectory was:

+3.5" at 100 yds,
+1" at 200 yds
-14" @ 300 yds.

[Richard]

dieseldude03.............IF, you really want to reach out and touch someone (or some deer ;D), save your sheckels and get a .45 Pac-Nor barrel. A 195 Barnes MZ at 3,000 to 3,100 fps sighted 3" + at 100 yards is only 4 to 5" Low at 300!
Richard