500 Range Report with light loads

[Slufoot]

I took the 500 with me today while I was shooting dad's ML. All loads consist of bullets I cast with the Lee 440 grain mold and Hornady Gas Checks were installed. I loaded 5 each with 3 different powders, TrailBoss, Tite Group & Unique. My bullets are seated out to touch the lands and this gives an overall length of 2.259". CCI-200 primers were used in all loads.
5 shots of the TrailBoss load averaged 1110 fps and measured 4 & 3/4" @ 100 yards.
5 shots of the Tite Group load averaged 1199 fps and measured 2 & 15/16" @ 100 yards.
5 shots of the Unique load averaged 1201 fps and measured 2 & 1/2" @ 100 yards.
The Unique load was also the most consistant over the chronograph with an extreme spread of only 11 fps for 5 shots, the high was 1208 and the low 1197.
I have lots more Unique than the other powders so I'm happy!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[gcrank1]

I use a lot of Unique too, a must have for my powder supply. I bet if you can get the speed up with the Trail Boss to that 1200-1250 mark you get similar accuracy to the other two. I eagarly await your next report as I only recently started trials with TB, and it shows promise.

[Shu]

I use Unique in my 45-70.  A 400 grain bullet at 1000 fps grouping a couple inches at 100 yards still equals alot of dead. I would rather shoot alot than 5 times and complain of hurts.

Way to go on your shooting session.

[Slufoot]

gcrank1, I also use alot of Unique and have more #'s of it than any other single powder I own.
I don't think the trailboss will do much more, since I seat my bullets to touch the lands there isn't alot of bullet in the case. I used the method IMR recommends by filling the case to be even with the bottom of the bullet.

Hey Shu, I totally agree! Shoot alot now and have great hunts later.

Point of impact with these 3 loads was quite a bit different, especially to all be within 100 fps of each other.
The Unique load was 1.25" high, Tite Group was 5.25" high and TrailBoss was 8" high. All were shot @100 yards and I measured from point of aim to the center of the group.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[gcrank1]

That recoil impulse from the different powders is probably the reason, though actual velocity influences it too.

[Shu]

Yep, the longer the bullet is in the barrel the more the recoil impulse will effect it. I think Unique is a great all around powder for light loads. I shoot a subsonic 45-70. The biggest game I am going to shoot is a deer. If I don't try to turn this load into a 200 yard shot I am good to go.

I have other rifles I can do the 200 yard + thing. I don't shoot at game animals over 300 with them anyway. The single shot large bore, well there is just something about it that makes me grin will I pull that trigger.

[cwlongshot]

Good report Slufoot!!! I REALLY need to dedicate some range time to my 500!!!

That recoil impulse from the different powders is probably the reason, though actual velocity influences it too.

Yup that's and simply put the bullet is in the barrel longer. Shooting principals really become apparent.

I shoot allot of Bullseye compatetions. Mostly 22RF, some CF and less Air Pistol. With Air Pistol if you don't follow thru, you don't shoot groups!!! That pellet is in the barrel much longer than a 22RF and even more than a 45 @800fps!  

That's the biggest reason we see impacts above or below POI when velocity changes.

CW

[manatee1947]

Hey Slu..... what was your load of Unique ?? I use the same bullet and unique 14 gr, and get 1 1/2 " groups @ 50 yds w/ iron sights at present, but don't have a chrony.

[Slufoot]

Manatee, I sent you a PM. I think I read somewhere on here about not posting load data?

CW, Thanks!

I know about bullet time in the barrel and how it affects POI but the TiteGroup load and the Unique load were basically identical, only 2 fps difference in a 5 shot average, yet the TiteGroup load printed 4" higher than the Unique load?

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[gcrank1]

Its not just the barrel time, which is a result of velocity, but the recoil impulse from the burning rate of the powder. Shotgun powders are on the faster end of the scale and have a much sharper rise in pressures which equates to that fast, hard impulse of recoil. Depending on our 'form; ie, shooting offhand or from the bench, that impulse and the barrel time, not to mention the caliber/projectile weight, etc. does make it 'rocket science'. Its a wonder I can hit anything!

[Slufoot]

Hey gcrank1, I finally see what you're saying. (I need that smiley with the lightbulb over his head)
I haven't thought about the burn rate of the powder initiating the recoil.
Thanks again, gcrank1.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[petemi]

The burn rate and recoil is very interesting.  I put new glass on my .357 Maxi and was dialing it in yesterday.  I was amazed at the POI change with the .38s, mags and maxis.  I'm giving a friend, tonight, a .50 cal. Hawken rifle for Christmas, along with a whole tool box of accessories.  Here in the house, all I had was Goex fffg and ffffg, the 2 f is out in the deer blind, and the same thought has been going around in my head about burn rate and barrel jump.  If I could get to the blind, I'd bring in the FFG, but I can't.

Pete

[gcrank1]

In my experience the effect is not as near pronounced with black powder (except, perhaps, with handguns) as with smokeless, and there the biggest is the shotgun powders, often used for pistol rounds, and the slower burning 'rifle' powders (not that some of those arent used for pistol; ie, 4227). But even within the shotgun powders is differrence, just look at the charge weight of Bullesye to Bluedot to Unique, etc. to get an idea of pressure and/or velocity per grain.

[cwlongshot]

 Pete,
 There is a whole other scenario going on if your comparing open sites to a scope... (I don't know if this is what you did or just swapped scopes.) Generally speaking a scope site 1.5" over the bore, while the open sites are closer to 3/4". If you look at an older ballistic table that shows both scope and open sites you will plainly see the differences this creates.

CW