snuffy
October 31, 2008, 08:11 PM
Some more tests done today, maybe some more tomorrow.
Nothing surprising today. I stuck with the 20-1 lead 250 grain,(it's supposed to cast at 240), I tried some sabots with the cushion cut-off. Same load as before, 33.0 of longshot, X12X 2 .135 card wads with a ¼ cork wad between the card wads. The group was okay, the usual 2- 2½ to 3" group @ 50 yds. Sabot was undamaged, opened and fell to the ground at 20 yds. in front of bench.
Then I tried some completely experimental loads. One was 40.0 of Aliant steel. Huge BOOM low velocity,(1125), with over 200 fps ES. Sabots went almost all the way to the 50 yd target, they were intact, looked unfired except being dirty. The petals were completely unopened. Group was 8" wide by 4" high, one bullet was slightly keyholed.
Next was 35.0 of blue dot. Probably the most uniform in velocity 20 fps ES grouped into 2" However the velocity was only 1250 fps. Since blue dot is rumored to have poor ignition in cold weather, I'll stick with longshot.
Now I opened the throttle a bit. Since BP has a load for the 500 Hornady SP at 36.0, and my boolits are 450, I could safely go there. Being careful, I loaded 3 at 35.0 and 3 more at 36.0. Here's a scan of the target, the group on the right is the blue dot load.
http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/arrow/websize/bp%20sabot%20group%202.jpg
Then I shot the 36.0 load, here's a scanned pic of that.
http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/arrow/websize/bp%20sabot%20group%201.jpg
Velocity is in the low 1500's, and the recoil is about all I can take. Of course I saved the hardest kickers for last. After the first 16 or so, had me softened up. Even with a past magnum pad on, it was painful.
Now, okay I know that BP says I could go up to 38.0, but somebody else better volunteer to shoot them! Besides, that's plenty good enough accuracy AND the velocity should certainly be plenty.
I'm gonna load quite a few more of the 36.0 load, just to be sure it wasn't a fluke. Then a move over to the 100 yd range, maybe even 200?
I knew I'd forget something! Rolling Eyes
Every single one of the sabots were intact, oops except for one that lost a petal. The ones that were from the 36.0 longshot load were opened the widest and all fell at 25 yds. All were shot with the X12X wad with a card wad between it and the sabot.
I also forgot the test with the alcan airwedge. Nothing spectacular, velocity was nearly the same as with the X12X, accuracy also in the ballpark.
Nothing surprising today. I stuck with the 20-1 lead 250 grain,(it's supposed to cast at 240), I tried some sabots with the cushion cut-off. Same load as before, 33.0 of longshot, X12X 2 .135 card wads with a ¼ cork wad between the card wads. The group was okay, the usual 2- 2½ to 3" group @ 50 yds. Sabot was undamaged, opened and fell to the ground at 20 yds. in front of bench.
Then I tried some completely experimental loads. One was 40.0 of Aliant steel. Huge BOOM low velocity,(1125), with over 200 fps ES. Sabots went almost all the way to the 50 yd target, they were intact, looked unfired except being dirty. The petals were completely unopened. Group was 8" wide by 4" high, one bullet was slightly keyholed.
Next was 35.0 of blue dot. Probably the most uniform in velocity 20 fps ES grouped into 2" However the velocity was only 1250 fps. Since blue dot is rumored to have poor ignition in cold weather, I'll stick with longshot.
Now I opened the throttle a bit. Since BP has a load for the 500 Hornady SP at 36.0, and my boolits are 450, I could safely go there. Being careful, I loaded 3 at 35.0 and 3 more at 36.0. Here's a scan of the target, the group on the right is the blue dot load.
http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/arrow/websize/bp%20sabot%20group%202.jpg
Then I shot the 36.0 load, here's a scanned pic of that.
http://photos.imageevent.com/jptowns/arrow/websize/bp%20sabot%20group%201.jpg
Velocity is in the low 1500's, and the recoil is about all I can take. Of course I saved the hardest kickers for last. After the first 16 or so, had me softened up. Even with a past magnum pad on, it was painful.
Now, okay I know that BP says I could go up to 38.0, but somebody else better volunteer to shoot them! Besides, that's plenty good enough accuracy AND the velocity should certainly be plenty.
I'm gonna load quite a few more of the 36.0 load, just to be sure it wasn't a fluke. Then a move over to the 100 yd range, maybe even 200?
I knew I'd forget something! Rolling Eyes
Every single one of the sabots were intact, oops except for one that lost a petal. The ones that were from the 36.0 longshot load were opened the widest and all fell at 25 yds. All were shot with the X12X wad with a card wad between it and the sabot.
I also forgot the test with the alcan airwedge. Nothing spectacular, velocity was nearly the same as with the X12X, accuracy also in the ballpark.
