HuntingNet.com Forums - View Single Post - powder testing in the White .451 model 97

12-07-2011 | 01:13 PM

#1

cayugad

Dominant Buck

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 21,193

Likes: 0

From: Wisconsin

powder testing in the White .451 model 97

A lot of White shooters talked about loading only 60 grains of powder when shooting the .451 White rifles. I felt with the 460 grain conical that would be an excellent deer load. BUT I like to test things. I know the rifle is sighted in with 80 grains of Triple Seven 2f powder and the No Excuse 460 grain conical bullet. But I loaded 60 grains of the powder to see if it made a difference where it hit.

I set the target out at what I thought was 50 yards and it turned out to be.. 52 yards. Being to lazy to walk out and move it two yards, I decided that was fine.

I was a little surprised to see shots 1&2 hit that low. I mean sure its 20 grains less then normal, but 50 yards is not all that far. So I kicked the powder charge up to 70 grains.

First off it might surprise you, but that green duct tape on the brown pizza backing was really hard to see back in the shadows of the woods. I was kind of surprised as I thought it would stick out like a sore thumb. Not the case at all. I mean I could see it, but it did not stand out like an orange or blaze orange dot would. Also I never swabbed the bore the entire time of shooting.

The White Model 97 seldom acts up. Maybe if I have shot 25 rounds and it is filthy but today, the caps would not go off on the first strike. Perhaps the fact it was very cold outside, being 24 degrees and windy with six inches of snow on the ground. Still the second strike, the cap went off perfect. That is not common in the summer at all. So when I was loading, I would set the cap, on an empty rifle, pull the trigger, set the cap, then load the rifle. Worked like a charm. But I thought it was worth mentioning.

Anyway the 70 grains of Triple Seven shot a nice group but in reality it is a little low. I was shooting and loading as fast as I could. And for the most part it laid them in there.

Then I went to the load the rifle likes. 80 grains of Triple Seven 2f. While the caps gave me fits, the rifle's accuracy with that load was perfect and normal.

Although I had my cell phone ring while out there. And briefly talked and got rid of the caller.. Well guess what? Even an experienced shooter can mess up. Nope.. still have my ramrod. But I dry holed one. Loaded the bullet without powder. Goes to show.. concentrate on the task at hand. So I had to go in the house and pull that bullet. Which is why shot 15 is not on that target...

It made me laugh when I did that. I have not dry holed one in a long time.

Reply

0