I'm about to try some heavy bullets in my K-Hornet. I can probably extrapolate some loads using some of my powders, but I thought I'd check to see if anyone else has loaded any 60gr cast gc bullets in their K, or regular Hornet?
I've got several powders to choose from, but I'm leaning toward AA1680 for some reason. I also have AA 9, Lil Gun, 2400, 296, 4227, Unique... yada yada..
I'm thinking they won't stabilize, but I figured it was worth a try. (because it's THERE, of course).
Any thoughts? Suggestions?

What is the rifling twist rate on your K-Hornet barrel? That information will greatly help in predicting bullet stabilization of your 60 grain load.

__________________
Marshall
Romans 1:16



Beartooth: A Bullet Worth Waiting For!

Well, I don't remember for sure. It's a Bullberry barrel on a contender carbine... I THINK it is 1-14. I looked on his website, but couldn't find any of his standard rates of twist.
I get good groups with the 50gr TNT bullet, but haven't gone any heavier than that. I've just got a hundred of these 60g cast bullets, and am curious about what I can do with them.

You'll need to push them pretty hard. AA 1680 is a good choice, as you'll get velocity without spiking pressures too quickly. Also, make sure when you seat the bullets that they engage the rifling in the throat when a round is chambered. Cast bullets in fixed chamber guns prefer to be firmly touching the lands when they are launched for best accuracy and stabilization.

Interesting project. Keep us posted on your progress.

__________________
Marshall
Romans 1:16



Beartooth: A Bullet Worth Waiting For!

well I used 1680 for most of my jacketed loads until I started using Lil Gun. I still use it for some loads, but I don't get quite the velocity from it that I do the LG. I has been amazingly consistent and easy to measure, so I thought I'd go with it.
I just have to figure the charge weight.. thanks for the comments. I'll definitely keep you guys posted on what happens.

Went to the range today. Tried the first of my heavy bullet loads. I had decided to start with AA1680, but couldn't find any kind of recorded starting loads.
I loaded a few, using the old tried and true WAG process. I started with 8.0gr, and loaded some with 9.0, and some with 10.0.
After loading those, I found an article by Paco Kelly, about loading the Hornet with cast. He used 680, and got great results at about 13.5 gr. This is probably where I'll get as this project goes on.
8.0gr with the 60gr bullet gave about 1500fps, but pretty erratic.
9.0gr averaged around 1750fps, and grouped slightly better.
10.0gr started showing some promise, at about 2000fps. A 5 shot group at 100yds was about 3". While this is certainly not great, it's a start. I think groups will (hopefully) get tighter as the load gets more consistent, which seems to be happening as I increase it.
The good news is that my Contender carbine stabilized the 60gr bullet perfectly, apparently. There were no oblong holes at any velocity.

the saga continues....