The NULA liked my fun load

[GMB54-120]

I have a bunch of 225gr FTX bullets. IMO they are too fragile for deer but are great on paper and for the kids to have fun too. Plus they come in 100 packs and the other 45cal FTXs are in 50 packs for nearly the same cost.

This was my first NULA group with the 225gr FTX, CCI209M and 44gr of N110 in a Harvester Smooth black.

This load must be really moving because the back of the box i was using showed signs of bullet expansion. MY guess would be close to 2400fps. Recoil was mild enough the 16yr olds had no problem shooting it too off just bags.

This was literally my first three shots with 15min cool down each.


Please excuse the poor target placement. I got a late start and we had a 16th birthday party for one of the grand kids.

The Douglas barrel is so smooth the sabot felt like it loaded a bit too easy after a short starter but the results were quite good IMO even if its only 80yards. I knew it liked the Barnes 225gr with the same sabot and 43gr of N110 so i decided to give it a try but with a bit more FPS.

Now i may have to try the 200gr FTX made for the 460S&W (2300fps). Its much tougher than the 225gr and might have some hunting potential besides yotes. Oddly its BC is a bit better than the 225gr also but still isn't close to what i consider good.

[rangeball]

I'd like to see you try the 200gr. If successful, it would be the first time I've heard of a 200gr .45 being shot at speed successfully from a .50.

I can't shoot more than 42gr of N110 from my SMI without blowing sabots. I wonder it the faster 1:22 twist in my barrel is the difference?

[dennis31]

Nothing wrong with that group. ;D

[dave d.]

:)Scott very nice start and glad to see you finally got her out for some shooting. Look forward to more targets. Have fun

[GMB54-120]

May 10, 2011 9:20:34 GMT -5 rangeball said:

I'd like to see you try the 200gr. If successful, it would be the first time I've heard of a 200gr .45 being shot at speed successfully from a .50.

I can't shoot more than 42gr of N110 from my SMI without blowing sabots. I wonder it the faster 1:22 twist in my barrel is the difference?

The only thing i can think of is the 45-200gr FTX has a short bearing surface (1/2 the OAL) and with a fast twist combined made it difficult. Plus the 200gr has a fairly thick jacket IIRC and maybe harder lead so it doesn't obturate easily.

I just compared the bases of both and the 200gr has a smaller base due to the radius vs the 225gr. Its quite noticeable too.

I will start out lower and knurl them a tiny bit and work slowly just in case. Ive only seen a little load data with them on here but i don't remember them having a common problem blowing sabots.

I didn't blow any sabots with the 225gr but i think did have a failure on a 250gr SST because i didn't give the barrel enough cool down. It was way off POA at closer to 45 yards.

[ET]

Gmb54120

First thanks for posting your results with the 225FTX.
Your initial result with the 225FTX has me really impressed as I have numerous tests planned for this bullet.
Maybe not a good deer load but should be a wicket varmint load if accuracy can be maintained at even higher velocities. That I hope to eventually find out.

To aid in reducing the cooling time with the barrel I use an aluminum cooling rod without the cooling pod. This easily cuts your waiting time for cooling in half. Just a suggestion to consider.


Ed

[GMB54-120]

Thank you ET

I do plan on using some kind of additional cooling. Waiting that long really makes it difficult on days that include other priorities. Normally i don't mind because i take another rifle or two. This was my first time out with it and the first time i really got the smokeless "itch". Im not sure why, it must be that the NULA fits my style so well and i love light weight guns that still shoot well.

Ive wanted to try the 225gr FTX for the reasons i mentioned and IMO its just a target bullet or a varmint bullet. It sure is fun to shoot and the cost is reasonable. I was also amazed at how well the plated Havester PT Gold 260gr shot. Im not saying its a good load at that speed but its been a popular topic lately with subs. So i wanted to push it harder than subs. I can only assume both shot well for me because of good obturation and a fairly flat base. The PT Golds are extremely flat based and reasonably priced for a pointy bullet. I spend more time shooting just for fun so cost is an issue to me. When i hunt, cost is not an issue to insure a humane kill.

I REALLY like this N110. Its the first time i tried it. I cant believe how clean it burns and its probably why Melvin recommend using it considering this plug design. Carbon build up in the plug was minimal after about 35 shots with CCI209M primers. I normally don't use them because they are pretty dirty in my sub guns but they are what he recommends.

Since im a NEWB to SMLs, i feel its best to stick to a recommended powder/primer and/or ones that has been tested by the guys that i consider experts. The "pucker" factor was huge shooting it for the first time but i knew it was very well cared for by the previous owner.

My next time out im going to try some Barnes 458-300gr SOCOMs with BH209 and slower powders such as N120 and Re7. I tried one shot with 37gr N110 and im fairly sure the sabot failed. Its a bit long for the 1-32 twist but i really like the bullet in my sub guns so i have to try.

If i can get it close to 2100fps with Re7 accurately i will be thrilled. IMO thats plenty of speed for that bullet to perform properly on game. I used it last year for two kills at closer to 1900fps with excellent results. Reviews in centerfires in that fps range have also been very positive.

Ive got a few 50x475 sabots also and some of the lighter 275gr Speer 475s i would like to try out also for fun. The BC sucks but they are too short for my 52x475 sabots. Ive got them to shoot "ok" with subs but the sabot seems very sensitive to fouling and barrel heat. The petals are really thin but the base appears to be very tough. Im hoping loads that are slightly faster than subs but with the cleaner N110 might work with the very smooth Douglas barrel.

Im not a fps junkie........ yet...at least not until i can get a 45cal. Even then i will likely be happy with 2600-2700fps. The 45cal 4759 single powder loads with 200gr SST bullets posted recently really impressed me. Its simple, accurate and i have no doubt it would be effective on deer.

I sure hope your 225gr FTX sabotless loads work well because that was my choice also when i have a chance to try them sabotless. All my 45s are Knights so i will have to be happy with BH209 for now but i do REALLY want a 45cal SML. I just still on the fence over which route to take. Mine will likely be a custom 1-24 twist just to be a little different and to compare how a slightly slower twist works with sabot loads.

[ET]

Gmb54120

I’m not a top end velocity person either and value accuracy over all. It’s reassuring to know my shot will hit its mark when I let her go. The last thing I want is for an animal to suffer needlessly from a wound I inflicted.

I have yet to find a source here for VV powders but 4759 is readily available. So far it keeps producing great results.
Know what you mean about apprehension with first go with smokeless powder in a muzzleloader after years of associating black powder only in a muzzleloader. It took a while to undo that line of thinking buried in my grey matter. After many sessions of using smokeless powder and education from this board I now don’t give it a second thought. If anything I now want to explore what smokeless powders have to offer in an ML.

As for the 225FTX I would like to see a goal of 2500fps with accuracy at least 200yds. This will do everything I want for my set limit of shooting range.
I agree shooting costs can add up quickly and having a cheaper load to practice with is desired to develop or maintain proficiency. I love to shoot when I can and feel good when my shooting abilities see improvement.

There seems to be different views on what would work best for rate of twist in a specific caliber and wish you luck with any endeavors you decide to proceed with. A lot of the intrigue and fun is in the learning especially if you don’t know what results are waiting to be revealed. Sometimes I wonder if the challenge of finding a winner isn’t the real enjoyment.


Ed