[Farrier Matt]

Hi folks. Ive always used the 300 gr Hornady XTP in my Winchester. I havent been able to get this bullet for some time, but recently aquired a box of Sierra 300 gr soft points. My Speer manuel lists two loads for 300 gr bullets, one for revolvers and one for rifles. I always used the shorter OAL rifle load with the XTPs. The Sierraa do not have two crimp grooves like the XTPs did, so my question, finally, is are the handgun loads safe for rifles? Im sure they are, but felt it would be safer to get some other opinions. I did load a dummy round with the longer OAL, and it functioned fine in my rifle, ( same over all length as my hard cast load) so I just want to make sure I wont cause a problem from high pressure. I appreciate any opinion you might have.
Matt

 

[unclenick]

The Sierra manual's rifle loads for that bullet all have heavier charges than their handgun loads for it. It's easier to make a rifle to handle pressure than a revolver, so the handguns loads will be gentle for it.

That bullet is designed for 1.735" COL for longer cylinder revolvers like the Ruger and for rifles that work with it. If you are concerned, you can put Magic Marker on your dummy and make sure it isn't jamming into the lands when you chamber it. Probably be OK even if it were, but just in case.

 

[Farrier Matt]

Thanks for the reply. I hate to ask redundant questions, but would rather be safe than sorry. Ill proceed. Thank you.

 

[mattsbox99]

I was thinking the rifle loads were quite a bit hotter than the handgun loads... I know they are in the Nosler and Sierra manuals.

 

[Farrier Matt]

Max in my book is 22.5 gr H110 with 300 gr soft point. OAL 1.750 for handguns.

Max in my book is 20.5 gr H110 with 300 gr XTP. OAL is around 1.600 I think.

I wonder what Quick load would say as to pressure, and how hot I could go with the longer OAL? Id like to get up around 1500 fps with my 16 inch barrel.

 

[mattsbox99]

That should be pretty close... I think I was getting 1550 with a 18.5" barrel on my Deerfield.

Nosler shows 20.5 Grains as max at 1.61" OAL with their 300 grain SP. You should use a good roll crimp with H110 so seat the bullets to wherever the cannellure is your bullet.

 

[Farrier Matt]

The groove in these Sierras put the OAL at 1.730, which functions in my Winchester, so thats where theyre at. How do you like that Deerfield Matt? Ive always liked the idea of them. Seems like a smei auto 44 would be a handy one too, I just wish they carried a few more rounds like the levers.

 

[unclenick]

For the 16" barrel, using the defaults, QuickLOAD thinks 22.5 grains of H110 at 1.750" would give about 34,600 psi and 1550 fps. At 20.5 and 1.610 (SAAMI max) QuickLOAD shows almost 43,000 psi and 1534 fps. Hodgdon's load data agrees that 20.5 grain load is too warm. They list 19.0 grains as maximum for a 300 grain bullet with 1.600" COL, and report 1325 fps out of an 8.275" revolver barrel. QuickLOAD says 19.0 grains would be at just below 34,000 psi and would give 1333 fps out of an 8.275" revolver barrel and about 1450 fps out of a 16" barrel. So Hodgdon and QuickLOAD seem to be in pretty good agreement. If I switch to Hodgdon's rifle loads, they list the exact same loads, but report 1475 fps from a 20" barrel, where QuickLOAD gives 1501 fps in that barrel length. Still reasonably good agreement.

If the Speer loads were developed tested in a revolver, the barrel/cylinder gap could have thrown them off for rifle. That said, the Speer manual sometimes lists some very warm loads, and you want to be wary of some of its maximum data. On another forum a fellow had a Handy Rifle in .243 Win that was popping open every time it fired a load a full grain below Speer's maximum. He was also getting about 200 fps more velocity than Speer claimed at his load level. Working backward from that, I figured he was seeing proof load pressure of around 77,000 psi. He called Speer, but they stood by their data. No doubt it worked in their test gun (why would they make that up?), but it's a lesson in why you don't trust maximum loads developed in a gun other than your own.

 

[mattsbox99]

I really like the Deerfield, its a reliable and accurate gun. You do give up total capacity but you gain fast and easy reloading with the magazine. Its a little wider than a lever gun, but most lever forearms are too skinny for my hands anyway, and I can still shoot prone easily.

 

[TMan]

Hi folks. Ive always used the 300 gr Hornady XTP in my Winchester. I havent been able to get this bullet for some time, but recently aquired a box of Sierra 300 gr soft points. My Speer manuel lists two loads for 300 gr bullets, one for revolvers and one for rifles.
Matt

Matt, The Speer bullet has two crimping grooves. The longer OAL is for the revolver's with enough throat, and rifles that will feed the extra length. Obviously, loads for the longer OAL should NOT be used at the shorter length.

I have a Ruger 77/44 that will not feed the 300gr Sierra when the crimping groove is used in .44Mag brass, but OAL is just fine in .44Spcl brass, or when loaded to an acceptable length, and crimped into the jacket. My best load with W296 is not for public forum display, as it's more than I see in any manual. In my rifle it's fine, in others it might be a problem. Accuracy with the Sierra is very good, and recoil is managable even in a light rifle. But it's close to .30-30 levels.

 

[Farrier Matt]

For the 16" barrel, using the defaults, QuickLOAD thinks 22.5 grains of H110 at 1.750" would give about 34,600 psi and 1550 fps.

Isnt the 44 mag rated to 36000psi?

At 20.5 and 1.610 (SAAMI max) QuickLOAD shows almost 43,000 psi and 1534 fps. Hodgdon's load data agrees that 20.5 grain load is too warm.

I have fired a lot of these out of my Winchester, with no problems or signs of problems, but the 43000 psi seems a little warm. Think Ill stick to the longer OAL.

That said, the Speer manual sometimes lists some very warm loads, and you want to be wary of some of its maximum data.

Ill keep this in mind from now on.

but it's a lesson in why you don't trust maximum loads developed in a gun other than your own.

Yes sir, for sure. Thank you for the time and effort to share your experience, I do appreciate it.