44Mag Rifle Bullet Selection

I believe standard trim is 1.285 for 44mag. Maybe you got a little stretch in your fired cases and cam fit more in? I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get 27 of enforcer in before it get limited by compression.
 
cbjr said:
I believe standard trim is 1.285 for 44mag. Maybe you got a little stretch in your fired cases and cam fit more in? I'm pretty sure I'll be able to get 27 of enforcer in before it get limited by compression.
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I’ll take another look at compressed fill tonight. When I stopped my Enforcer loads at 26.4grain I didn’t work very hard to fill any more - I didn’t use elevated funnel and I didn’t do any vibrating.

P.S. - It looks like my once fired brass didn’t stretch at all
 
I decided to push my 205 Jackhammer loads further for my N-110, H-110, and Enforcer powders. I’ll redo my last 3 test loads on each powder, and then I’ll push up in 0.2grain increments from there.
I think this will tell me two things.. I’ll get a more complete picture of my load limits, and I’ll learn something about temperature sensitivities because tomorrow will be a much cooler testing day at the range.
I’ll take my N-110 loads to 27.2grains,
I’ll take my H-110 loads to 29.8grains, &
I’ll take my Enforcer loads to 27.2grains
 
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@Frankk, that's kinda bummer on the short brass. With the speed gap between the enforcer and the other 2, my guess is the extra powder will only let you catch up to them at the previous stop. The two 110's will probably stay ahead by about the same amount. H110 is just a really dense powder. Interested to see how your results play out.
Other thoughts: I'm wondering if crimping in the deeper "crimp groove" would allow the case mouth to get a better grip on the bullet, than just going into a shallow pdr? Ramp up the pressure curve before the bullet releases? Just a thought but no good way to prove it. Might have to dig out some of my mixed brass and sacrifice them for science!
 
My view is that all three powders appear to push roughly the same speed. I’ll be sending my new test rounds later today. I made them last night at same length as before for consistency so will be interesting to see if trends continue.
 
So here are my results with hotter loads using the 205 Jackhammer bullets. I matched all parameters from original tests other than powder load amounts.

I still didn’t see any pressure signs on any rounds, but I won’t go any hotter because I am already well beyond published loads.

It’s notable that temperature during original tests was 85degF, but today it’s about 68degF.

Vihtavouri N-110:
26.0grains 2127fps
26.2 2134
26.4 2142
26.6 2155
26.8 2155
27.0 2159
27.2 2172

Hodgdon H-110:
28.8 2162
29.0 2163
29.2 2167
29.4 2178
29.6 2208
29.8 2217

Enforcer:
26.0 2073
26.2 2083
26.4 2109
26.6 2108
26.8 2127
27.0 2149
27.2 2169
 
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Way forward for me will be accuracy tests at 100yards without chrony strapped to my rifle. Specific test loads shall be as follows:
7 rounds N-110 at 26.8grains.
7 rounds H-110 at 29.0grains.
7 rounds Enforcer at 26.5grains.

Hopefully one of these loads will prove accurate enough for my next hog hunt later this month.
 
I sent my accuracy test loads at 100yards yesterday. Turns out the 29.0grains of H-110 gives me about 1MOA groups. The N-110 also did okay but not quite as tight as the H-110. The Enforcer load was sadly all over the place for me (4inch spread) so I won’t be using that one again.

Please note.. I worked up these loads up to be safe for my particular strong action rifle. Please don’t even think of trying them in a pistol.
 
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