important Update on 200Grn Lehigh Bullets

[grouse]

Anyone that has been following my testing of the testing of the .40/200 grain Lehigh bullet knows I have always shot them with a significant powder charge to reach an increased velocity. Further, my tests have been conducted from a 45 caliber muzzleloader. My testing indicated increased velocity significantly improved the accuracy of the bullet. Other shooters, testing the same bullet in a 50 caliber muzzleloader are not achieving the same accuracy. Using the feedback, I immediately called Dave at Lehigh and to discuss the difference in accuracy. Dave calculated the numbers, with the 1/28 – 1/30 twist rates, the 200 grain Lehigh should be shot at velocity of 2300+ fps to achieve the best stabilization for extended ranges. The bullets are physically to long for a 1/28 -1/30 twist rate without shooting them at the higher velocity. Actual testing in the real world appears to verify this calculation. As a result of this conference, Dave is going to redesign the bullet to reduce the length of the bullet. With the reduction in length the bullet will provide the accuracy and terminal performance needed at a lower velocity rate and allow the bullet to be shot from a 1/28 twist. This reduction in length, at first indication, will reduce the projectile weight to about 185 grains. These new bullets should be ready in May for field testing.

The current 200 grn. bullets shoot and perform AWESOME in the 45 Knight Disc Elite at 2300 feet plus per second. Shooting these same bullets at 2000 fps and less from a 50 cal. White Muzzleloader (1/24 twist) and a .451 White (1/20 twist) also produces outstanding accuracy. Testing conducted by Sabotloader and Cayugad has confirmed this.

It should be pointed out, I believe the 200 grain Lehigh remains a viable bullet. If you are shooting a 45 cal. muzzleloader with a 1/24 or higher twist rate or if you reach the 2300 fps velocity shooting the .40/200 grain Lehigh is not an issue. Remember, the 45 cal muzzleloader is more adapted to this as bore allows greater pressure with a given charge of powder.

A second group of rifles, rifles with the higher twist rates, either 50 or 45 cal, will shoot the 200 grain Lehigh with outstanding success.

A goal of Lehigh is to provide the best possible performance from each of their bullets, but this performance must be achieved within the normal equipment ranges of the hunter.

I do want to take the time to mention the .452/250 grn. Lehigh is an excellent alternative for the 50 cal. 1/28 twist muzzleloader.

[tpcollins]

Any thoughts to adding a polymer tip to increase aerodynamics? I would think that type of spire point versus a hollow point would have to increase the accuracy.

[yankee]

tp, on previous posts, it was stated that polymer tips were designed and you smply snap em n if you wanna use em, thats the way understood it anyway, i thnk it was said, they may sell em seperately??? ts an expensive slug, looked into em, i shoot my muzzleloader waayyyyyyy to much to enjoy these slugs

[younghunter86]

Thanks for the update. Will the 200gr/.40 still be available for purchase later on? I'm guessing .45 cal smokeless guns should have no problem stabilizing these, even with the tip? Any updates on the smokeless research?

[grouse]

Apr 28, 2009 20:17:54 GMT -5 younghunter86 said:

Thanks for the update. Will the 200gr/.40 still be available for purchase later on? I'm guessing .45 cal smokeless guns should have no problem stabilizing these, even with the tip? Any updates on the smokeless research?

The 200grn bullet will stick around for sure. It's my favorite bullet. You just need to push them to stabilize.

As far as smokeless the .458 300grn bullet is very accurate. I will be testing a new .458 275grn bullet this weekend in the savage and some other Muzzleloaders.

[grouse]

The website is updated now with more information.

lehighbullets.com/products.asp?cat=23

[wilmsmeyer]

tp,

Adding a polymer tip does not guarentee accuracy as much as it guarentees a longer bullet...and a higher BC...all else being equal. This addition could make it potentially harder to stabilize with the "slower" twist barrels.

Although many polymer tipped bullets do shoot very well, so do some of the bluntest bullets. Accuracy has much more to do with proper fit to the bore and proper stabilization then what the nose looks like.

[grouse]

Since these bullet didn't stabilize in my 1/30 twist Knight Disc Elite 45. I decided to try them in my 1/24 twist 50cal Savage with BH209. The first target is with a Harvester Blue crush rib sabot. This sabot loaded way to easy in my Savage.






The next group i switched to the Blue MMP and upped the powder a little. The Blue MMP loaded a bit firmer and i was more comfortable with the MMP sabot.

[wayles]

Hi grouse
Velocity seems low for 130 and 140 grains Of BH209 of powder and a 200 gr. bullet? Don't have a chrony myself so I'm just going by velocities reported on some of the other forums. Looking forward to purchaseing some LH when the 185 grain poly tip comes out.
Wayles

[grouse]

May 3, 2009 17:34:59 GMT -5 wayles said:

Hi grouse
Velocity seems low for 130 and 140 grains Of BH209 of powder and a 200 gr. bullet?

I thought the same thing. I think it's because of the short 24" barrel in the savage.

[minst7877]

A lot of the difference comes from the fact that a 45cal barrel makes more pressure than a 50cal barrel.

DC

[grouse]

135grns of BH209 in my 50cal knight Vision got me 2300fps with the 200grn bullet.