Winchester 296?

[td48604]

I have had some problems with some loads that I was going to "work up". My load is a 44 magnum Winchester 296 with and a 240 gr bullet. I started at the minimum load listed in the reloading manual. I never increased the load because I could not seem to get any consistency.
I understand that Win 296 is best at or near max loads. Could using this powder with reduced (minimum published) loads make for wide inconsistencies to where the bullet hits? I made sure it wasn't me, I gave the gun to a good friend who shoots much better than I do with the same results. I may have a scope problem as well, just wanted to see if some more experienced reloaders have experienced anything similar.
Just before having a scope added, I was shooting 3" left with iron sites consistently. I'm leaning towards a scope problem. All shots were bench rested.
Thanks

 

[buck460XVR]

You don't say what your load was. I have my best accuracy with W296/H110 and 240 grainers with 23 to 23.5 grains. W296 needs a good firm crimp to be consistent along with the use of magnum primers.

 

[Hutch]

Explain a bit more. Is the group unacceptably large? Or is it simply at a different point of impact? If the group is too large, you might try SLOWLY increasing the powder charge. Also, you have to have a very stout roll crimp and a hot magnum primer. Do you see unburned powder grains on the bench, or in the barrel? These point to low charge weight, poor crimp, or inadequate primer.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, td48604.

Are you using magnum primers with the 296 powder, or Winchester WLP primers? Are you using a good crimp?

Common sense dictates that you do need to address the question of possible scope issues first, before attempting to work up an accuracy load.


NCsmitty

 

[td48604]

load

I think it was 20.7 gr of Win296, if memory serves me correct (Hornady manual).

I had the scope mounted and checked at my local gunsmith to see that they had mounted it tight and correct.

The loads are all over the paper. Not just large groups, but all over the place.

I put what I thought was a good crimp on it.. Can a crimp be too tight?

 

[Galil5.56]

That 20.7 grain charge is too light for that bullet. Too light even for Hodgdon data's 3% recommended max reduction from max using the identical propellant (H110). Winchester published data used to be 25 grains of WW296 for a 240 LSWC/24 grains for a 240 JSP with a warning to use exactly as shown, and to use a very heavy crimp. Going too light got a warning about poor ignition and possible squibs.

I use an undersize die (lot-o-neck tension), good firm roll crimp, mag primer, and have used this data for a LONG time with good results. Can't say exactly why your shots are all over the map, but can say either use WW296/H110 at/very near the max load listed, or switch propellants that can be reduced some OK, like 2400 for near mag/mag loads, Unique, HS-6/WW540, HS-7, and a ton of others.

 

[td48604]

thanks

Thanks again for the replies. I was using large pistol primers, not magnum. The last load posted shows .5 gr over maximum that is published in my book. I have read that 296 is more for hotter loads.
I just picked up some 2400 yesterday. I am going to give that a try. Also traded out the dies for some RCBS dies.

 

[orionengnr]

I have only used 296 for .41 Mag and at that, have only loaded and shot 50 rounds so far. My loads were acceptably accurate, but one thing I noted (and posted about) was the inablilty of my Dillon to throw a consistent charge of 296. I ended up doing it by hand, weighing each empty case and then adding powder until I had 18 gr.

After reading responses from loaders far more experienced than I, we find that 296 may not meter well under certain circumstances. So, I have to ask, are you sure that your powder throws are consistent? If not, this will negatively affect the consistency and accuracy of your loads.

Hope this helps.

 

[td48604]

measure

orionengnr,

That was on of my problems. The powder measure was throwing 1 full grain over every 20-30 loads. I was told because of the shape and size of the powder, it would meter well. In most cases, it was very accurate. I lost confidence in the powder and measure and went to another setup.