I hit the range today

Windwalker7 · 09-09-2006, 06:19 PM

I got a new bottle of APP FFG to try and some 240 XTP's and 200gr. Shockwaves.

Well I blew a hole in my "Hot Barrel "theory. I made a post on here a week or so ago wondering if a hot barrel was to blame for large groups. I was using APP FFFG on that day shooting 250 SW's and 240 XTP's.

I found out today that my Omega likes the FFG much better than the FFFG. I got much smaller groups even with the barrel hot. Although I did notice the first shot with a cool barrel always seemed to hit 1 1/2" higher than the other shots. If I let the barrel cool down for a while, it would hit a little high again. But after the barrel was hot, all shots seemed to stay together.

I was shooting 2"-3" groups with various powder charges.

The200SW seemed to shoot a little tighter but seemed a little more stubborn to get down the barrel. I got the best group with 90grn of powder. The group was slightly under 2" at 100yds. When I tried to push the 200SW with 120 grn. the groupss really opened up.

The XTP's shot pretty good with the best groups also at 90grsat about 2"

I was hoping to get tighter groups with a little more ummph! behind them.

So, my question is,At what range should I limit my shots to if I stick with 90 grn.? I'm hoping to shoot out to about 175 yds. and be able to take deer. Is this enough of a charge for that?

And, has anyone any experience taking any game with the 200 grn SW's and how well do they perform?

lemoyne · 09-09-2006, 07:34 PM

I can't narrow it down to much so we will keep it kind of general. with 100 gr you end up with the velicity and ft pounds about equal to a 44mag out of a Rugar with a 7.5 inch barrel at the muzzle. the figuars are from my Omega nd Rugar I am not sure how much that 10 grs drops you but a 100 will do when you hit the right spot.
Also since I shoot the same gun powder and bullets I would suggest you try going up the powder ladder; I have two loads for SW's the 50/40-200gr shoots good at 100 and at 150 for me the 250 at 90 and 130. Lee

Windwalker7 · 09-09-2006, 09:22 PM

Thanks for the info.

My powder mearsure only goes up to 120grns.

I guess I'll have to get another and see what happens past 120.

skeeter 7MM · 09-10-2006, 12:38 AM

windtalker, to be honest I have no in field experience with the 200 class bullets but in my mind you'll have to either find a higher charge or move up the latter in bullet grains for your range. Reasons, down range energy and wind drift. The 240 xtp is really a 150 yard projectile IMO, its low BC makes it really drop off interms of ballistics. Having said that I have harvested 2 deer with 240 xtp that were over 150 yards both mule deer doeslongest being198 (LRF). If it shot well I would have no problems using it, providedI put the time required at the range to know the factors involved.FYI, my loads were 120 of RS or 95gr 777 FFG out of TC, Knights and remington inlines.

The last few years I have moved to the 250SST under 105gr 777 FFG in my rem 700mls with 209W primers, this load has taken deer from 30 to 210 yards. It lends itself a little better atdistance but I only took that shot with perfect conditions and it felt right.

You can use your current measuring device, just throw 90 or 100 then throw 30 or 20 grains to get to 130 gr loads. In the field you'll have speedloaders I assume.

Also your cold barrel impact is the one you should concentrate on in terms of hunting. Make note of the differences and wheter fouled or clean changes your POI. Set it up so when the firstshot ringsit goes where you want it to andtest it in hunting temperatures/conditions just to cover allthe basis. ML hunting and warm barrels doesn't really go handn' hand

!

Triple Se7en · 09-10-2006, 08:23 AM

Listen to Skeeter.... better bullet theory & smart 1st shot theory.

Once I get my ML sighted-in on a warm barrel, I only move those sights tweaking the target holes with my first shot-only at the range. Sometimes the DNR Ranger at the range asks me why I'm returning my ML to my truck after only one shot - to retrieve another ML -- which I shoot only one shot again.

I do this sometimes with 4-5 MLs late in October. My legs get tired because each round-trip back to the truck is a quarter-mile.
Make your first shot count. Make sure the bullet has enough mass to get the job done. I'm all done with lightweight bullets these days. We only get one shot with these MLs. Bigger Is Better in my ML book!If it's not at least a 350 grain bullet, I feel like I'm cheating myself.

lemoyne · 09-10-2006, 09:19 AM

Windwalker7,don't sell the 50/40 -200gr short the 50 is for the sabot the 40 is the caliber of the bullet,and a 200gr 40 caliber bullet is almost 2 calibers long;every one has a right to an opinion but you need to look at the BC and sectional density of all bullets considered and match that with the accuracy of your gun with that particular bulletand the flatness of trajectory will also enter into the equation. Most of the bullets if not all talked about here will do the job; when you are using around half the bullet weight in powder its usually a fairly potent load. I know of several moose and an elk that have been taken with the 50/40 -200gr and it did a good job on them but the loads were all over 100gr. Lee

Windwalker7 · 09-10-2006, 10:06 AM

Actually most of my shots will be under 100yds when woods hunting.

There are a few places I hunt, that may require a longer shot ranging out to just under 200yds. One place is a cut cornfield the other is across a hollow. I just wanted to know if the 90grn. load would be good enough in that situation. I will be doing more testing of loads before the season. I agree that a hotter load would be the ticket.

The cold barrel shot being 1 1/2" - 2" higher than the warm barrel shots isn't really that bad.

I have yet to test the 250 SW's with the APP FFG.

Thanks for the input, guys. I'm well experienced in taking deer with bow and rifle but I'm sorta new to this muzzleloader stuff.

I have taken a few with the flintlock and one with an inline over the years. My wife got me an Omega last year for Christmas and I'm starting to get a real interest in this stuff. If I can get a good load worked out, I may just retire the 30.06 and just hunt with the Omega duringthe rifle seasons.

sproulman · 09-11-2006, 07:44 PM

seven, you are right on .i dont know of anyone BUT me that takes and lets gun cool down at our range. i shoot once,then i bring out my 22cal browning buckmark plus.i shoot 10 shots ,then load hawkins and shoot. it does make a difference.do you only take 1 shot cold or do you let it cool and bring gun back and shoot again?