Strange range session today

[Kevin Stenberg]

I was testing some loads for my rifle today. And I had a very strange outcome.
Rifle Henry SS in 44M - bullet 429215 50/50 alloy PC - 296 powder 18 gr to 20 gr. range 50 yards off of a bench - red dot sight. There were 5 rounds each of 18 -18.5 - 19 - 19.5 - 20 grains
With each increase in powder there was a decrease in point of impact. In total there was a 6" drop in point of impact from top to bottom. Accuracy stayed consistent. There was no left or right movement just up and down?
What can account for my outcome?

 

[Michael]

Decrease in point of impact- meaning the points of impact getting lower with each successive increase in charge weight and printing lower on the target or the amount drop was decreasing?

 

[Mike H]

I would call it compensation,lower charge and velocity,more barrel time to bullet exit allowing muzzle rise,as velocity increases barrel time is less and bullet leaves at a lower level.

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

At 18 grains. All bullets hit highest on the target. And with each increase in powder the point of impact decreased. there was about an inch drop in bullet impact with each powder increase.

 

[Brad]

Rifle is recoiling and slower loads are exiting barrel a little later with muzzle upwards a bit. Very common for faster loads,to a point, to hit lower.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

Rifle is recoiling and slower loads are exiting barrel a little later with muzzle upwards a bit. Very common for faster loads,to a point, to hit lower.

Yep /\

 

[358156 hp]

Rifle is recoiling and slower loads are exiting barrel a little later with muzzle upwards a bit. Very common for faster loads,to a point, to hit lower.

Truth.

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

I was hoping the reloading gods weren't playing a trick on me.

 

[fiver]

nope.
just off the top of my head that seems like pretty low loads for H-110/296.

 

[Rick H]

I was always cautioned not to reduce loads when using 296/H110 more than 10-15% from suggested maximums. My Lyman #48 manual suggests 25.9gr. as a STARTING load with 27.0 gr Maximum with 296.
26.4gr. Starting and 27.5 Maximum with H110 and the #429215 bullet.

My old Winchester powder guide says:

"Do not reduce powder charges with 296 powder. Any further reduction in powder charge or change in components can cause dangerous pressures."

You might want to reconsider those relatively light loads.

 

[Missionary]

Those are loads for a 41 Mag.... You are very correct to remark God was watching over you.

 

[Glaciers]

Unless I’m chasing top velocities, I use 2400. Much more friendly as far as I’m concerned, especially for lighter bullets. I use H110 with the heavier 260 to 310 grain bullets for maximum punch.

 

[Winelover]

^^^Yep, same here. I don't even keep 296 around. Had purchased one pound to try and took me like forever to use up. Ended up dumping it out for fertilizer. Alliant 2400 is my main high velocity pistol powder. I use it in 357 Mag, 44 Special & Magnum, along with Ruger Only 45 Colt loads. I get antsy when I'm down to my last 8# jug.

 

[Petrol & Powder]

The old warning about not reducing charge weights with H110/WW296 is a valid warning.

I learned to not reduce H110 loads and barely avoided harming myself, but it was a good lesson.
I was shooting down-loaded .357 mag rounds using H110 and started getting extreme velocity spreads across the chronograph, including some that were HIGHER than the prior loads with more powder. And the target looked like a shotgun pattern.

I took the hint and never did that again. Sometimes when you are stupid you get lucky. I was lucky and didn't need to be told twice.

 

[shuz]

nope.
just off the top of my head that seems like pretty low loads for H-110/296.

I agree!

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

I forget which book I used but 20 was max for 296. I will check later.

 

[Glaciers]

Kevin are you loading the 44 SPL or magnum?

 

[RBHarter]

H110 in a 45 Colts.....such a pain to get it going ...... OAL gave me grief not because it wouldn't fit but because it just seemed like a hot.load and I wasn't really looking for absolute max loads. Then the crimp to hold for pressure rise .... I also learned about mag primers in big.cases .

When I did get it all together it was just too much of a good thing in even a 7.5" 3# Ruger BlackHawk. I didn't have the carbine but a 255 at 1280 fps is plenty of fun for me .

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

44 Mag
I haven't run it over the chrony yet. But I will on my next testing.

 

[Glaciers]

From the few books I’ve referred to, 20 grains of W296 puts you at 80% load density with that weight bullet. The recommendations I see for that combination recommend a minimum of 90% density with magnum primers and a decent crimp.
Don’t take my word for it, I’m certainly not an expert, but, everything I’ve run across over the years of loading the mighty 44, is that you might do just fine with lighter loads, but, there’s a serious possibility of that sudden pressure spike that can damage your revolver and more importantly damage you. I’ve only used H110/W296 when full tilt loads with heavier bullets are used. Most of my potent Bear loads use use H110, but most of my hot, but safe loads for weaker guns like Smith 29’s and old original Ruger flat tops is with 2400. Very pleasant powder.