CAUTION: The following post are my results using my gun and components and may include loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
took a while to get back to the range with new loads.
here are my new test loads and results at 25 yards using h110, winchester lpp and 240 gr jacketed hollow soft point, rcbs seater and crimp:
winchester brass and 23.0 gr h110 - group size 2.5 inches.
winchester brass and 23.5 gr h110 - group size 2.0 inches.
winchester brass and 23.7 gr h110 - group size .8 inches.
every round was pretty easy case ejection with no pressure signs.
additional information leading up to the above results.
federal brass and 23.0 gr h110 - group size 2.5 inches.
federal brass and 23.5 gr h110 - group size 2.0 inches.
federal brass and 23.7 gr h110 - group size 0.75 inches
remington brass and 23.0 gr h110 - group size 2.5 inches.
remington brass and 23.5 gr h110 - group size 2.2 inches.
remington brass and 23.7 gr h110 - group size 0.8 inches.
i will continue to check the loads around 23.5 to 24.0 (listed hornady max) gr h110. while not conclusive, for my gun, the main issue was not the case, not the primer that was causing what looked like pressure signs in a gun that should take MORE pressure than 'normal' 44 magnum guns. remember that this is a single shot contender that is designed to handle 'hot' loads. the major change was NOT to use the Lee Factory Crimp die, and only slightly crimp using the rcbs bullet seater. it also didnt seem to matter which case i used, because the good groups all came in around the same powder load. for me, these groups look like a good hunting load.
by the way, i previously posted that i was using blue dot and was not happy with my load. i reloaded batches using blue dot and found that my gun does not like heavy blue dot loads. it seems medium loads work best with the best groups using 13.0 gr blue dot. again, these did not use the Lee Factory crimp die.
if i get some time, will try to do test some loads using the LFCD versus not using it and post the results.