Heavy Lead in the .45 GM/TC Renegade (Range Session #3)
 

Will the 1:30 twist of a .45 caliber Green Mountain barrel stabilize a long heavy 465 grain/.451 lead bullet?



Somewhat to my surprise, YES IT WILL.

Might they be accurate?

It would seem so.

Here are the test results.

75 Grains GOEX FFFg @ 50 Yards.



85 Grains GOEX FFFg @ 50 Yards.

Van, good shooting and glad the bullets are working out for you. I'm looking forward to see how they perform for you at 75 and 100yds.

The only problem I see for you is deciding on which bullet you want to use for hunting?? GRIN

Ed

Very good shooting there.... and that load will flatten anything it hits.

That's a nice dilemma to have. Maybe I should use the 350 for for the first deer, then switch over to the 465 for the next one. (If I don't use them all up on the range first.) :D In truth, I'll probably be using a .54 ball out of the Swamp Dragon to start the season.

The 350's will certainly do the job on our little piney woods whitetails. I doubt I'll ever hunt Elk, Moose, or bear. But those 465's would sure do the job on any of those critters.

Van, I believe you will find the 465gr more accurate at longer ranges. At least that is what I found with my White's.

yeah extend that range and see what they will do. I have a GM 1:30 for my Hawken. I may have to buy this mould and try them out myself.
nice shooting friend.

What make mold is that? I can't find a 465 gr .451" mold. Could it possibly have been a .458" mold and sized to .451"?

I'm curious about the use of a wad.

I've always just loaded on top of the powder and had good results. What am I missing?

Josmund, the wad is intended to serve two purposes; (1) to provide a better gas seal between the bullet and powder charge, and (2) to protect the base of the bullet from flame cutting/damage/melting, which is supposed to improve accuracy and prevent leading of the barrel.

Bronko, I hope to extend the range with these bullets next weekend. I intend to sight in for zero at 100 yards and take it out to 75, 100, 125 and 150 yards, and see how well it matches this ballistics chart below. If I get groups under four inches at 150 yards I'll be looking for a mold also. I also want to try it in the 1:28 twist .50 caliber GM/LRH barrel with Harvester sabots.

Look at the energy that big leads holds, even at long distances.