.44 Mag 180 gr. load testing with BBS Carbine.
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2020 5:44 pm
Was very impressed with the "pumpkin blasting" Underwood Ammo 180 gr. XTP load results using the BBS carbine Friday so decided to
develop my own load using same XTP 180 gr. bullet.
After researching data I decided on a load using 24.5 gr. of Alliant 2400 powder. Have used this powder with heavy .45 Colt and .44 Mag loads
before.
So I got down to my range this afternoon to verify the speed of those hot Underwood 180 loads and was surprised to see 2000 FPS
out of my Henry 16 inch barreled carbine. No wonder those little pumpkins exploded!
I then ran my loads across the chrony and was VERY happy to see 1948-1986 FPS out of mine. Just for grins I shoot a few thru my Ruger
SBH with 7.5 barrel and got 1520's and a nice booming report too!
Max load according to my Hornady load data is 26.6 gr. so well within safe limits. I also weighed a complete Underwood round and got and average
of 323 gr. compared to my loaded round of 320 gr. I'm using same Hornady 180 gr. bullet and Starline brass. Primers I don't know the Underwood weight. They might be using a few more grains of X powder.
I then noticed my shots going to the left from 50 yds. and thought that was a bit off. Then I notice the front sight of my Henry is way off to the right but as you look at the muzzle it is off left.
So I corrected that and got much more centered. Looked to me maybe my loads a bit tighter in group than the Underwood Ammo but that could be just me. Anyway very happy with my load results and will load up some more. These should work very well for small critter loads and self defense load in a revolver or rifle. For large 4 legged beast stick with 240-250 gr. loadings.
develop my own load using same XTP 180 gr. bullet.
After researching data I decided on a load using 24.5 gr. of Alliant 2400 powder. Have used this powder with heavy .45 Colt and .44 Mag loads
before.
So I got down to my range this afternoon to verify the speed of those hot Underwood 180 loads and was surprised to see 2000 FPS
out of my Henry 16 inch barreled carbine. No wonder those little pumpkins exploded!
I then ran my loads across the chrony and was VERY happy to see 1948-1986 FPS out of mine. Just for grins I shoot a few thru my Ruger
SBH with 7.5 barrel and got 1520's and a nice booming report too!
Max load according to my Hornady load data is 26.6 gr. so well within safe limits. I also weighed a complete Underwood round and got and average
of 323 gr. compared to my loaded round of 320 gr. I'm using same Hornady 180 gr. bullet and Starline brass. Primers I don't know the Underwood weight. They might be using a few more grains of X powder.
I then noticed my shots going to the left from 50 yds. and thought that was a bit off. Then I notice the front sight of my Henry is way off to the right but as you look at the muzzle it is off left.
So I corrected that and got much more centered. Looked to me maybe my loads a bit tighter in group than the Underwood Ammo but that could be just me. Anyway very happy with my load results and will load up some more. These should work very well for small critter loads and self defense load in a revolver or rifle. For large 4 legged beast stick with 240-250 gr. loadings.