Range Evaluation 44 Mag 240 Gr H110

[Old Time Hunter]

After loading over 260 rounds of 44 mag ammo, 240 grain jacketed bullets and loading them all with 24.3 grains of H110, I decided to head to the range and test them out in my '94 Trapper, my son's 24 Black Shadow, and my buddy's 94C Marlin.

I used two different bullets, my 240 grain Speer JSP's and my buddies 240 grain Sierra JHC's. Loaded 'em all on my Lee Classic Turret using the Lee Auto Disc dispenser utilizing the 1.57 CC disc cavity. All were loaded to a 1.608 COL (the longest that would cycle in the Marlin) with a solid roll crimp. Used a CCI Large Pistol primer. Should have made 500 of 'em. The results were a bit of a suprise, fired 10 of each out of each rifle:

Winchester Trapper 16" Barrel:

240 Grain Speer JSP's 1804 fps ave. low was 1791 fps and the high was 1820 fps
240 Grain Sierra JHC's 1811 fps ave low of 1788 fps high was 1833 fps

Marlin Model 94 C 20" Barrel:

240 Grain Speer JSP's 1820 fps ave. low of 1801 fps, high was 1834 fps
240 Grain Sierra JHC's 1795 fps ave. low of 1777 fps, high was 1823 fps

Winchester Black Shadow 24" barrel:

240 Grain Speer JSP's 1884 fps ave. low of 1855 fps, high was 1901 fps
240 Grain Sierra JHC's 1870 fps ave. low of 1839 fps, high was 1881 fps

Chronograph was set at 15' (give or take a foot or so), temperature was 40' F. I actually was trying to hit the target and they all were acceptable once dialed in, but did not change targets to gauge individual groups. They all hit a 2' X 2' target at 100 yards. Did get a couple of funny holes on the highest velocity out of the Black Shadow using the Sierra JHC's, I believe that near 1900 fps might be the point in velocity that causes instability on these bullets. I'll have to check that out right after deer hunting.

[AJMD429]

Thanks - good post!

[TedH]

Good report, thanks. Your findings are 'bout the same as what I got from my Marlin. That load of 24.gr. of H110 with a 240 is about as good as it gets.

[CaptainFinn]

I use that load (24 gr H110) under a 240 XTP for my Ruger carbine. One ragged hole at 50 yards and five shots will go iside a 3" shoot-n-c at 100 yards, which is all I am willing to ask of it.

[Buck Elliott]

Try the CCI MAGNUM Pistol Primers, and I think you'll find you get much more consistant ignition -- hence velocities...

The W-296 & H-110 twins seem to work better when lit by the hotter spark-plugs...

Just a thought, gathered from nearly 50 years of loading experience.

Your MMV...