SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

O.K. guys if your maximum hunting ranges were say 125-150 yards tops ,and you had found a load that shot a 200 grain Shockwave into 1-1/4 inches with 85 grains 777 at 100 yards,or a load that put a 260 grain Dead Center into 3 inches at 100 yards with 120 grains 777 which would you choose and why??

Now i know that shooting a three inch group is more that adequate for these ranges i stated,but i am sort of an accuracy nut and for some reason i just can't figure out what to do.

Iguess what i a getting around to is i want to know what you guys with a lot of muzzy exp. would do and why.thanks to all:D

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

For target shooting I would always opt for the least amount of charge to get the highest and best constancy of accuracy. What's the point of increased recoil if you are target shooting?

For hunting, I'll always leave some accuracy on the table for increased velocity and kinetic ballistics. But to a point.

My testing example from an Omega locked in a bench rest shooting at 100 yards:
Hornady 300gr SST + 120gr BM3 = 2.2" (not sure the velocity, but well over 2K fps)
Hornady 300gr SST + 105gr BM3 = 1.3" (likely close to 2K fps)
Hornady 300gr SST + 90gr BM3 = 1.1" (likely close to 2K fps)

I hunted with the 120gr BM'3 load.

Of the two loads you mentioned, the biggest difference I see is with the longer range accuracy, I would think that by 150 yards, the Dead Center 260+120gr T7 would be approaching if not already into excessive accuracy loss (4-5+" grouping).

If you want 150yard groups, perhaps you will need to work up loads that optimize with both power and accuracy in that range.

;)

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

Both of those loads would work at the distances you want to shoot. I personally would go for the most accurate, even though it is less powder. All too often people believe that they have to push these projectiles at max speeds to make them a good hunting load. Your shot placement is most important.

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

That makes sense guys,i am just a bit scepticle of the power of the shockwave load.i was very happy with the groups i got with that but i plan on taking shoulder shots this coming season am not sure if it would be enough velocity with 85 grains t7 to expand that bullet.any thoughts?

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

260 grain

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

So what is your take upon a 245 grain conical driven by 60 grains of black, from a .58 caliber barrel, would it have enough energy?

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

Hello newman1,
I have to agree with 1950kid.
260xtp



KEEP ON ROOTING!!!

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

Shot placement is everything regardless of what you use.

You don't really need blistering velocities when shooting ML's because on average you are shooting much heavier projectiles.

So either load combo mentioned at the start of this thread would work fine for whitetail.

You only need about 400-500 foot pounds of energy minimum for Whitetail deer with good shot placement.

Regarding the question about the 245 Conical /60grBP/ & .58 cal, without doing the math, I would think that would give you around the minimum energy needed for whitetail. But I would be concerned with effective accuracy and energy out to 100 yards.
I would consider this too light for 58 as it's not even the weight of a 58 roundball (284gr).

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

Why? Believe me - that shockwave behind 85g of T7 will drop a good many species on a direct shoulder hit at 100 yds. The damage that those projectiles can cause are astounding.

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: Tahquamenon


My testing example from an Omega locked in a bench rest shooting at 100 yards:
Hornady 300gr SST + 120gr BM3 = 2.2" (not sure the velocity, but well over 2K fps)
Hornady 300gr SST + 105gr BM3 = 1.3" (likely close to 2K fps)
Hornady 300gr SST + 90gr BM3 = 1.1" (likely close to 2K fps)

For anyone reading these results please be advised that the 120gr. load with a 300gr. bullet is what I would consider MAXIMUM REASONABLE load. I do not know anyone including the guys at Magkor that shoot more than 120gr. of Black Mag'3 and that is usually with lighter bullets than 300gr. My 300gr. bullets with 100gr. of Black Mag'3 clocked just over 2000 fps when used with the 209 primer. I dropped back to 90gr. for hunting elk and shot a 300gr. SST completely through at 100yards.

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

Good point MLKeith!

120gr should be considered Maximum with Black Mag'3 so long as your rifle is rated for magnum or 150gr BP charges. Same goes for 777 really although I know a few folks that are shooting with 125gr 777 loads.

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

I would have to agree with taq. for target shooting why kill yourself
with all the extra recoil? As for hunting it figures this way for me
projectile placement because of hours of practice = dead animal.
I currenly shoot a 45cal and clamped in at local range, 3-777 pellets
195gr. aero-tip powerbelt looks like 2600. But by dropping back to
2-50gr. 777 same bullet still over 2k. All I can say is read, read &
read somemore, then practice practice practice........!:D:D:D:D

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

For the most part I'll take accuracy especially when your talking a difference like in your case. However when you say shoulder shots are what you want to take, then it factors in a bit more. I would personally lean to some more load development before hard fast choosing. The Shockwave with 85gr should get it done but I don't know as I have never used anything smaller than 240 on game in my 50 cal. I will tell you 250 SST(or Shockwave) will as I took a large bodied buck through the shoulder and exited clean with no further steps last fall, that was with 100 gr of T7 loose....but a hunting partner took buck through a shoulder shot using 250gr SST with 100 gr pellet T7 with similar results.

I am not an expert by no means, just a hunter. I always look to find the best for my hunting needs be it energy, trajectory, accuracy, setting forth personal limits and many cases all of the above to ensure my main reason for blowing smoke is a smile at the end of the season!

Best of luck

RE: SURVEY:ACCURACY VERSUS KENETIC ENERGY
 

I would go with the 85 grains. Is more than adequate to do the job. Remember that this load is roughly equivalent to 97 grains of BP or pyrodex loose powder. Should do well on any whitetail/mule deer alive.

I would definately go with the lighter load.