Hornady 250 XTP

[geraldald]

Does anyone have experience with this bullet? 250gr 452cal in a Savage ML II

[booner22]

Dec 18, 2020 16:04:53 GMT -5 geraldald said:

Does anyone have experience with this bullet? 250gr 452cal in a Savage ML II

Probably one of the more popular bullets initially for the gun. Reasonable speeds they should perform well. I still use them in my youth reduced recoil loads. They are a very accurate bullet.

[jims]

A lot of people were happy with them over the years.

[geraldald]

Thanks fellows. I think I will try some and see how they shoot. Does anyone have some advice on loads? I have Harvester crushed rib black sabots and IMR 4198 4895 and 3031 powders. What kind of speed should would you recommend to ensure they don't grenade in a deer? What kind of range? So many questions eh?

[booner22]

Dec 20, 2020 9:34:52 GMT -5 geraldald said:

Thanks fellows. I think I will try some and see how they shoot. Does anyone have some advice on loads? I have Harvester crushed rib black sabots and IMR 4198 4895 and 3031 powders. What kind of speed should would you recommend to ensure they don't grenade in a deer? What kind of range? So many questions eh?

I think the tried and true n110 or 4759 if you have it. 2400 FPS and below seemed fine to me. My current load is going just over 1900 and has taken 3 deer this year with very short track jobs. I am using 4756 though.

Pretty sure those powders are better served for 300gr bullets. Not sure on 3031.

[hunter]

If you try 4198 with the 250 gr bullets, make sure you have a tight fitting bullet and sabot. I think the black crushed rib will be too small and give ignition problems.
It has been several years since i shot 50 cal but pretty sure I used 68 gr of h4198 under a black mmp sabot, short black I believe. two hands loading pressure on bullet/sabot.

[geraldald]

Thanks for the heads up on the IMR4198. What about N110?

[olegburn]

I've hunted with 250 xtp on top of 42 grains of SR4759 with very good accuracy and low recoil.
Close range it is too explosive due to speed and it being a pistol bullet.
I avoided shoulder shots.

[ET]

Dec 20, 2020 9:34:52 GMT -5 geraldald said:

Thanks fellows. I think I will try some and see how they shoot. Does anyone have some advice on loads? I have Harvester crushed rib black sabots and IMR 4198 4895 and 3031 powders. What kind of speed should would you recommend to ensure they don't grenade in a deer? What kind of range? So many questions eh?

If You are looking for a selection of loads you may want to take a peek here.

docs.google.com/file/d/0BzomGpjNi_EBNGt1ZENhS2hoVTA/edit

Just make sure you allow some wait time between shots to prevent bore temp from increasing.

[dans]

N-110 is an excellent powder for 250 grain bullets. 40 to 44 grains will work. Use a sabot that fits snugly.

[GMB54-120]

N110 is a great clean powder but it peaks HIGH. Even Savage has changed the max load data to like 41gr with upto a 250gr bullet. 39-41gr should be a great load for the 250gr. Its plenty fast. Just try 39gr to start. That should be over 2100fps no problem.

[geraldald]

Thanks guys. I know where I can get some N110 and I just got a box of 100 250gr XTPs

[GMB54-120]

I LOVE N110. Just a wonderful powder when used a bit lighter than old Savage load data. Great temp stability, goes bang easy and its insanely clean. You can easily use less than 39gr if you wish and still get speed well suited to a 250gr XTP. All i shoot with N110 is between 38gr and 41gr in my NULA. Never had a problem with it.

[billc]

N-110 and 250 gr XTP was very accurate and the powder is everything good listed above for 250 gr class bullets. However, I hated the pistol bullet performance at rifle velocities. Coke can sized "grenade" entrance wounds lead me to 300 gr 0.458 rifle bullets. While the deer are just as dead there is more meat for the freezer.

[powderfinger]

Dec 21, 2020 17:56:48 GMT -5 hunter said:

If you try 4198 with the 250 gr bullets, make sure you have a tight fitting bullet and sabot. I think the black crushed rib will be too small and give ignition problems.
It has been several years since i shot 50 cal but pretty sure I used 68 gr of h4198 under a black mmp sabot, short black I believe. two hands loading pressure on bullet/sabot.

I agree. In my rifle the red Sabot ( Harvester  high pressure) works good with the .452  / 250 grain ftx. and other slugs of that diameter.

[geraldald]

Can I substitute the .452 250gr FTX for the .452 250gr XTP safely,particularly with 39-40gr N110?  I think I can but looking for confirmation from those that know a lot more than I. Thanks in advance.

[pappy24]

N110 (38) grains and said bullet, red Harvester sabots have killed a pile of whitetails the last 10 years, thanks to info shared on this forum.

[ET]

Sept 27, 2021 12:32:25 GMT -5 geraldald said:

Can I substitute the .452 250gr FTX for the .452 250gr XTP safely,particularly with 39-40gr N110?  I think I can but looking for confirmation from those that know a lot more than I. Thanks in advance.

Go for it. No issues or problems.

[geraldald]

Thanks guys.

[kb]

I shoot the 250g .452 XTP in a Harvester short sabot over 42g of 4759. Approximately 2300 FPS. It’s taken plenty of deer from 20-90 yards.

It’s a book load right out of the manual, and gives 2 inch groups at 100 yards, which is good for me.

[geraldald]

Ok guys I have taken the advice given here on the 250gr FTX and 40gr of N110. The rifle is a stock Savage MLII. I have it shooting 1" high at 100 yards. I have no access to a chronograph. I would like it to be dead on at 200 yards. Do I need to zero higher?
Gerald

[hunter]

I have not shot that load but I would guess you need to be 1.75 - 2" high at 100 to be close to zero at 200

[ET]

Oct 16, 2021 15:39:36 GMT -5 geraldald said:

Ok guys I have taken the advice given here on the 250gr FTX and 40gr of N110. The rifle is a stock Savage MLII. I have it shooting 1" high at 100 yards. I have no access to a chronograph. I would like it to be dead on at 200 yards. Do I need to zero higher?
Gerald

Geraldald

Assuming you are getting a velocity of 2250fps with the 250FTX and want a 200yd zero then you would need to set the scope plus 4.58” high at 100yds.

[geraldald]

Thankyou, that is what I will do and go from there.

[GMB54-120]

Long ago one of the guys shot the 250gr FTX/SST through a chrono at the muzzle and at 100 yards. He got .197 for the BC at around 2100-2150fps.

For a 200 yard zero that is almost 5" high at 100 yards.

[geraldald]

Anyone have a tried and true load for 300gr/452 Hornady FTX using N110 or IMR 4198?

[GMB54-120]

N110 can get pretty rough on sabots with a 300gr bullet. It was however an original book load and wont hurt your rifle. N120 and Reloder7 are far better powders for a 300gr. 4198 is ok for da big boomas because you will probably be burning more of it. 65-69gr of 4198 with a 300gr.

[cuda]

I have a 45 and 50 I use 69gr of IMR4198 in both. In the 50 I use a Hornady .458 300gr in a BCR and a Win 209. In the 45 69gr of IMR4198 lubed wad Branes TEZ 290gr.451 and a Win 209. Both guns have been zeroed at 200yds makes a 100yd zero easy too.

[geraldald]

I am going to try 69gr of IMR4198, 300gr .458 Barnes original and a black Harvester crushed rib sabot.

[GMB54-120]

Nov 17, 2021 13:04:13 GMT -5 geraldald said:

I am going to try 69gr of IMR4198, 300gr .458 Barnes original and a black Harvester crushed rib sabot.

Hold on tight.