N120 in 45 Pacnor

[etj401]

I would like to use N120 in my 45 Pacnor. I have shot a few loads and it shoots pretty good. I used Richards loads to go by. I shot 69, 70, 71 grns and they all shot 1.20 to 1.33 in at 100 yds. The question I have is that I look at Richards loads and 71 grns shoots about 2980 fps for him and then I looked at TGinPA pressure test and he shot 65 grns at 2958 fps. I dont understand the reason for this large of variation in the fps. Is it because Richard was shooting a 23 in barrel? I have a 25in barrel. Are both getting the correct reading based on the barrel length? I didnt have any problems with the sabot blowing with any of the loads. In all three loads, I had two touching and one was always a little out of the group. What is the Max load that I could shoot without the pressure problems.

[edge]

I assume that you are using a 200 grain bullet, if so then:

Quickload estimates 75 grains of N120 would get you 3060 fps @ 42.5kpsi;
Powley estimates 3060 fps @ 45kpsi.

Pretty good correlation between the two.

edge.

[tar12]

No blown sabots? Do you use a cooling rod? Over time as Richard discovered with the max of any powder they primer carrier face eroded. If you think 69-71 grns of N120 is accurate you should try 60-62 grns.It is very accurate at this range and does not erode the carrier face. Zen and myself have blown sabots with as little as 65 grns of N120 @ 30 degrees. Faster is not always better and many will attest to that. BTW..Zen was avg.2885 with the 195 Barnes and 65 grn of N120. I was avg. 2790 with 60 grn and same bullet and sabot.

[etj401]

Yes, I am shooting the 200 gr xtp and the 195 gr Barnes. 71 grs starts to recoil pretty hard. I wouldn't even consider above 71 grs. I use the Barnes for hunting. I do use a cooling rod and I was shooting in 75 degree weather. I am currently shooting 63 gr of IMR4198.
I hate to tell you the reason that I am looking for more speed because everytime someone mentions 400 yd shots some people go crazy! The IMR 4198 will shoot 4.5 in groups at 400 yds. I have taken deer over 300 yds with my current load. Always getting a complete pass thru. but when I shot one at 400 yds the Barnes didn't pass thru. I believe my current load is around 2750 fps. I think that if I can increase the speed to around 2900fps, then the bullet will have enough energy to pass thru at 400 yds. Does this make sense?

[Savage Shooter]

While still not proven and just now testing myself the duplex with N120 under H4198 at 13/53 shows real promise to accomplish just what your looking for.

Either powder by itself has to pretty much exceed 40K to attain that kind of speed.

At that much pressure you are bound to have sabot issues, even if not "blown" I am seeing them "soften" enough to let the bullet lean/yaw in the bore. I pick up sabots that have the petals nearly crushed flat.

At the 13/53 duplex expect to see speed depending on your barrel or 2865 to 2935.

IF the 13/53 load does not provide the same accuracy as either single is capable of then tuning load for your barrel should get you there.

Herman shot a 2.8" 300 yd group last week at 2865 with 13/53 and 200sst that shows real promise. You can follow our thoughts as this develops on the attached thread link.

I am dropping back on booster and starting testing again next week also.

Loads I intend to test are like 10/54, 11/54, 12/54, 13/53.

I think the right place to be is in the 10 - 13gr booster range with total charge weights of 64-67 grs.

I do know we can keep pressures down in the 35 - 36K range which is going to do a lot for accuracy and sabot stability.

I too am doing this with the Barnes so will be very interested in your results>>>>>>>

Read Here: dougsmessageboards.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=smokeless&action=display&thread=7840