45 Cal GMB LRH Bullet Test
07-24-2008, 02:18 PM
#1
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,762
45 Cal GMB LRH Bullet Test
OK guys - Semisane was gracious enough to send me some of his resized bullets in 340 gr and 405 gr.
Reference the pic below:
All shots were taken at 50 yds using 70 gr of Pyrodex P.
The top target was a 6 shot group with the 405 gr bullets. I shot 6 because I thought the lowest bullet in the group was a flyer but apparently not as my 6 shot cut the hole. This bullet shows significant potential provided I had enough to try different charges. These were snug going down the tube but not terribly hard to seat.
The middle target was with the 340 gr slugs. As you can see there are 4 shots just left of the bull. Then there is one about 3" lower and 1" left (circled w/arrow). Also with these bullet, if you look to the right of the top bull you can see the perfect profile of the 340 grainer. These bullets were extremely loose going down and was actually surprised with the 4 so close together.
The bottom target was shot with Harvester EZ Load sabots and Nosler 150 gr .40 cal bullets. A nice 5 shot group. The target to the right of that one is the same load. The 2 to the upper right of the bull and in the bull were the first 3 of the group following a sight change from the previous group. The 2 at almost 12:00 were after a final sight adjustment.
Being that I am going to use this rifle primarily as a fall turkey rifle, I think I will stick with the 150 gr Noslers. I may however have to persuade Semi to send me some more of the 405s so I can play with them a bit. (I will pay you for them this time Semi).
Reference the pic below:
All shots were taken at 50 yds using 70 gr of Pyrodex P.
The top target was a 6 shot group with the 405 gr bullets. I shot 6 because I thought the lowest bullet in the group was a flyer but apparently not as my 6 shot cut the hole. This bullet shows significant potential provided I had enough to try different charges. These were snug going down the tube but not terribly hard to seat.
The middle target was with the 340 gr slugs. As you can see there are 4 shots just left of the bull. Then there is one about 3" lower and 1" left (circled w/arrow). Also with these bullet, if you look to the right of the top bull you can see the perfect profile of the 340 grainer. These bullets were extremely loose going down and was actually surprised with the 4 so close together.
The bottom target was shot with Harvester EZ Load sabots and Nosler 150 gr .40 cal bullets. A nice 5 shot group. The target to the right of that one is the same load. The 2 to the upper right of the bull and in the bull were the first 3 of the group following a sight change from the previous group. The 2 at almost 12:00 were after a final sight adjustment.
Being that I am going to use this rifle primarily as a fall turkey rifle, I think I will stick with the 150 gr Noslers. I may however have to persuade Semi to send me some more of the 405s so I can play with them a bit. (I will pay you for them this time Semi).
07-24-2008, 04:26 PM
#2
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
Posts: 10,918
RE: 45 Cal GMB LRH Bullet Test
Strange that the 405s were tighter in the bore than the 340s. They were all from the same lot of lead and sized through the same .451 die.
What did you lube them with?
I was sure hoping to see tighter groups than that. Hard to tell size on that target.Are those two-inch black dots?
What did you lube them with?
I was sure hoping to see tighter groups than that. Hard to tell size on that target.Are those two-inch black dots?
07-24-2008, 04:39 PM
#3
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 21,193
RE: 45 Cal GMB LRH Bullet Test
Well the rifle is new also.. so there is no telling what might happen with the bullets down the road. That bottom group is a nice looking group, but might be alittle much for a turkey..
07-24-2008, 05:14 PM
#4
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,762
RE: 45 Cal GMB LRH Bullet Test
Semi, I was lubing them with Dave's recipe of beeswax, castor oil, & murphy's oil soap.
I was thinking the same thing. I shot the 430s first and was thinking to myself there should be no problem loading them at.452". Maybe its because the 405s have a much longer bearing surface than the 430s. But really the 430s you could seat with only your index finger and thumb on the ramrod.
BTW those were 3" dots.
Group size: 405s - 2.8"; 340s - 2.6" wo flyers (13.8" with all 6 shots); 150s - 1.30" & 1.8"
I was thinking the same thing. I shot the 430s first and was thinking to myself there should be no problem loading them at.452". Maybe its because the 405s have a much longer bearing surface than the 430s. But really the 430s you could seat with only your index finger and thumb on the ramrod.
BTW those were 3" dots.
Group size: 405s - 2.8"; 340s - 2.6" wo flyers (13.8" with all 6 shots); 150s - 1.30" & 1.8"
07-24-2008, 07:43 PM
#5
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,762
RE: 45 Cal GMB LRH Bullet Test
Can't explain the difference in group size between the 340s and 405s or thedifference in easeof loading. I just checked the diameter of the remaining 4 each I have using a micrometer I just got calibrated and all 8 bullets measure in at .4506" - .4508". And why that one 340 gr bullet keyholed way off the bull is a mystery.
07-24-2008, 08:23 PM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,762
RE: 45 Cal GMB LRH Bullet Test
Under - yeah - its a 1:28. I wouldn't want them any smaller. I think I may just head on down to the gun shop tomorrow and order a sizing kit in .451" and some 405 gr bullets.
I think with a little more playing with charges and maybe some felt wads, I can get them to shoot pretty good. If not, I can always fall back on the saboted .40 cal bullets. I'm not sure if those little pills would be reliable for deer. I'm pretty sure the 405 would have plenty of juice even for bigger game. Heck, there was enough bison that fell to this bullet.
I think with a little more playing with charges and maybe some felt wads, I can get them to shoot pretty good. If not, I can always fall back on the saboted .40 cal bullets. I'm not sure if those little pills would be reliable for deer. I'm pretty sure the 405 would have plenty of juice even for bigger game. Heck, there was enough bison that fell to this bullet.
07-24-2008, 09:08 PM
#8
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 203
RE: 45 Cal GMB LRH Bullet Test
I have this same barrel, haven't tried it yet. was wondering how one of those R.E.A.L bullets would fly out of this tight twist barrel. I always thought the LRH Barrels were only for saboted bullets. Thanks, Steve
07-24-2008, 09:53 PM
#9
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
Posts: 10,918
RE: 45 Cal GMB LRH Bullet Test
I thought the.45 GM LRH barrel was 1 in 28, but the label on the box mine came in says it's a 1 in 30" twist. I haven't tried tocheck it though.