Brillo
Member
Day at the Range
I’m going turkey hunting with my brother in September in Colorado. I’m not a hunter so don’t have a bona fide turkey rifle so I thought I’d use either my 10 in. Super Redhawk (scoped) or my Marlin 1894, both in 44 mag. In preparation for this I’ve been experimenting with various loads, bullet brands, and powder loads. Don’t want to use hollow points, so bullet selection is limited. I also tend to like high velocity jacketed rounds because they are, by far, the most accurate in both guns. Since accuracy is key, I decided to try Barnes solid copper rounds even though the one selected is in fact a hollow point – Barnes 225 gr. XPB. I bought some at almost a dollar per round. Hadn’t expected them to be so long. This really limited the case capacity, which in turn limited the charge for this long bullet. Wasn’t sure I’d get enough muzzle velocity to stabilize the bullet. Used 21 grains of H110 and this was a compressed load even though the loading manuals for 44 mag. rifle allow up to 24 grains H110 for a 240 gr. bullet. 21 grains was fine given the longer bullet and the greater barrel friction likely to occur which would raise the pressure somewhat. Anyway, no excessive pressure signs upon examination of the cases. I didn’t run it through the Chrony but suspect the MV was in the vicinity of 1500 fps. At 50 yards the accuracy was extremely disappointing. 3 in. group in the 1894 and 4 inch groups in the 10 in. Super Redhawk and both were significantly off center. The holes were perfectly round. I regularly shoot 1 inch groups with both guns. For comparison I also loaded up some Sierra 220 gr. FPJ rounds just short of the max with H110. One inch groups with both guns – a nice gut check. I think I found my load using these Sierra flat points. Anyone have any experience with Barnes bullets in an 1894 or are there any other comments for this novice turkey hunter? I think I’m going to lathe about 2 mm off the butt end and try them again with a higher powder load.
Brillo
I’m going turkey hunting with my brother in September in Colorado. I’m not a hunter so don’t have a bona fide turkey rifle so I thought I’d use either my 10 in. Super Redhawk (scoped) or my Marlin 1894, both in 44 mag. In preparation for this I’ve been experimenting with various loads, bullet brands, and powder loads. Don’t want to use hollow points, so bullet selection is limited. I also tend to like high velocity jacketed rounds because they are, by far, the most accurate in both guns. Since accuracy is key, I decided to try Barnes solid copper rounds even though the one selected is in fact a hollow point – Barnes 225 gr. XPB. I bought some at almost a dollar per round. Hadn’t expected them to be so long. This really limited the case capacity, which in turn limited the charge for this long bullet. Wasn’t sure I’d get enough muzzle velocity to stabilize the bullet. Used 21 grains of H110 and this was a compressed load even though the loading manuals for 44 mag. rifle allow up to 24 grains H110 for a 240 gr. bullet. 21 grains was fine given the longer bullet and the greater barrel friction likely to occur which would raise the pressure somewhat. Anyway, no excessive pressure signs upon examination of the cases. I didn’t run it through the Chrony but suspect the MV was in the vicinity of 1500 fps. At 50 yards the accuracy was extremely disappointing. 3 in. group in the 1894 and 4 inch groups in the 10 in. Super Redhawk and both were significantly off center. The holes were perfectly round. I regularly shoot 1 inch groups with both guns. For comparison I also loaded up some Sierra 220 gr. FPJ rounds just short of the max with H110. One inch groups with both guns – a nice gut check. I think I found my load using these Sierra flat points. Anyone have any experience with Barnes bullets in an 1894 or are there any other comments for this novice turkey hunter? I think I’m going to lathe about 2 mm off the butt end and try them again with a higher powder load.
Brillo
