revpilot

After reading T.Bridges article about excellent accuracy and using the load above, i decided to give it a try. I contacted the people at Western powders about using over a 300gr bullet with blackhorn 209 and this is what i got back:

Bob,

When the warning about using bullets over 300 grains was written, we hadn't had a chance to test them yet. Since that time we have completed our testing but haven't had a chance to change the warning. The only bullet that we recommend a reduced charge for was the 444 grain Power Belt. For everything else you can load up to 120 grains by volume.

I hope this clears things up.



Best regards,
Keith Anderson
Western Powders Ballistic Lab

I went and got some 325g FTX (.458). My gun is sighted in using 250gr Barnes TEZ with 90gr BH209, and a harvester short black sabot dead on at 100yds. I loaded the 325gr FTX with a harvester crush rib sabot. I read in the article about it being a tight fit, and it definitely was, and i was using a range rod.

I shot 5 shots and they were 5" inches high and 1" to the right of bullseye, and all three shots inside 2" I know it could get better for sure, because i definitely been shooting 90gr to long !!
It kicked a little harder than my hunting load. Theres not doubt its an accurate load, but i wouldnt want to load a follow up in the field, but i guess not to many animals are gonna walk away after gettting hit with that load.........Im gonna shoot some more maybe this week.

Screwbolts

IMHO I don't think there is an animal that could stand your 90 grV load with the 325 FTX. Has this load been unsatisfactory for you? the 120 grV charge is putting more stress on all your componants including you by recoil. 90GrV should produse 1700+ FPS with the 325FTX it does with my 330 gr Hard cast. Will the Bullet stand the impact speed would be my question.

revpilot

Nope , just messing around, the 325g ftx are cheap to shoot compared to the barnes.