New 475 Linebaugh - Load Devel/Chrono Results.

[paul105]

Continuation of "Way to Much Inactivity Here" thread in Freedom Arms Section above.

Here's the results of different loads thru my recently acquired FA757, 475 Linebaugh.
Barrel:  6" magnaported (2 ports, not 4)


Cases:  Starline
Primers:  WLP
Chrono:  5 paces from chrono.
Temp: As indicated below.

Bullet                         Gr/Powder                        Temp                         FPS - Avg, ES 325 gr  Horn JHP-XTP                          Factory Factory         81 Deg F, 3 Shots      1278 Avg fps ,13 ES fps 325 gr  Horn JHP-XTP                   17.9 (#25) Blue Dot           80 Deg F, 5 Shots           1178 Avg fps ,47 ES fps    400 gr  Horn JHP-XTP                          Factory Factory         81 Deg F, 5 Shots      1228 Avg fps ,61 ES fps    400 gr  Horn JHP-XTP                   22.0 (#15 + #16) VV N110      71 Deg F, 5 Shots      1201 Avg fps ,51 ES fps    400 gr  Horn JHP-XTP                     19.7 (#26) VV N110            75 Deg F, 5 Shots          1072 Avg fps ,41 ES fps    410 gr  Cast Perfom WFNGC         22.0 (#12 + #13) Lil'Gun      86 Deg F, 4 Shots      1247 Avg fps ,33 ES fps    410 gr  Cast Perfom WFNGC         11.5 (#23) Unique         71 Deg F, 5 Shots        1069 Avg fps ,14 ES fps    410 gr  Cast Perfom WFNGC         17.7 (#22) A2400         86 Deg F, 4 Shots       1053 Avg fps ,26 ES fps    410 gr  Cast Perfom WFNGC         10.0 (#22) Unique         86 Deg F, 4 Shots       1029 Avg fps ,4 ES fps    410 gr  Cast Perfom WFNGC         9.0 (#14) HP-38                  86 Deg F, 4 Shots         928 Avg fps ,18 ES fps

Observations:

I don't know why the 11.5gr of Unique load is only 40 fps faster than the 10.0gr load.  Speer's supplemental loading data shows 11.5gr as a starting load with the 400gr Gold Dot at  987 fps from a 6" FA.  Could be partially due to the higher temp with the 10.0gr load, I don't plan on using unique, but if I did, I'd certainly use the 10.0 gr load.

The 2400 load shot incredibly well for me -- 3 shots in 1 1/4" at 25 yards, and 3 shots at just a hair under 2" at 50 yards -- (total six shot composite was 2") -- these were shot offhand.  I don't shoot that well, and couldn't do this on demand (maybe not ever again).  Anyway, its a reasonably pleasant shooting load, and I will explore it further.   

This gun feels like it wants to shoot.  I've shot 116 rounds thru it so far.  Haven't shot any from the bench, just offhand.

The 410gr at 1,250fps is plenty for anything I will ever use this gun for.


I have several different bullet weights/designs on order from Montana Bullet Works -- I'll be trying these as soon as I get them, and will finalized loads at that time.

FWIW,

Paul

[Silvertp]

Paul...thanks for the loading information.  I am just about to start handloading for my FA .475 .  To date I have been shooting factory ammo, mostly to get the brass, but also to see what shoots best in it if I ever have to buy factory ammo in the future. 

I love my Freedom Arms...

Silvertp

[kennisondan]

Paul : how would you describe the recoil comparatively : lots of folks will start with factory and then go to reoads, or start with reloads and want to start below factory and then work up to factory equivalent ..

[paul105]

DK,

There is a formula to calculate comparative recoil (Recoil Energy in Ft Lbs).  You can get your
results here  http://handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp

Here are some examples: 

300gr .454 at 1,600 from 6” FA Model 83 approx       39 Ft Lbs

300gr .454 at 1,500 from 6” FA Model 83 approx       34 Ft Lbs

400gr .475 at 1,250 from 6” FA Model 83 approx       36 Ft Lbs

400gr .475 at 1,228 from 6” FA Model 83 approx       34 Ft Lbs (Factory)

400gr .475 at 1,050 from 6” FA Model 83 approx       25 Ft Lbs

400gr .475 at 930 from 6” FA Model 83 approx          16 Ft Lbs

325gr .455 at 1,278 from 6” FA Model 83 approx       28 Ft Lbs (Factory)

250gr .44M at 1,400 from 7 ½” Ruger SBH approx     22 Ft Lbs

Remember, these are calculated values.  Perceived recoil will be different.  I find the 400gr factory equivalent load in the 475 to have less recoil than the .454 300gr at 1,500 fps.  This is basically from the same gun.  It may be that the magnaporting on the .475 helps.  The combination of muzzle flip and gun slippage (resulting in knuckle busting and web of hand jamming) are the most distracting for me.  I think the ports on the .475 reduces muzzle flip just enough to stop the knuckle busting and web jamming.  Also, I think the the recoil of the .475 isn’t as “fast” as that of the .454.

I don’t know how this will translate to your 4 5/8” gun.

If the the 400gr bullet at 1,050 (2400 load ref above) is as accurate as I think it is, it will be my practice load.  Just loaded up another batch about half an hour ago.

The 325 gr XTPs (or equiv cast) at moderate velocity (say 1,200 fps or less) should give you standard .44 Mag level recoil.  Start cranking the velocity up on the 325 grainers, and you get a.454

Hope some of this helps.

Paul

[kennisondan]

nothing specific to put out : loaded 7.8 gr. Unique and magnum pistol primers in starine brass behind 410 gr. Precision Cast WFNGC and went out to shoot some for plinking and getting aquainted with the  FA. It was great. Low Low recoil; good accuracy; just a pleasure. After working up through some 22 and 45 loads and the handloads; shot some factory hornady 400 gr. loads. for testing the recoil and to get more intimate.
The heavy factory loads were a lot of everything ; the recoil was much more "noticeable" but not difficult to appreciate, as it was such a force to let loose on a few stumps and logs. It was a great experience to see peices of wood fly in to the air and land long after the recoil was dealt with !
I am glad I have shot big bores before, and am shooting my light handloads for the foreseeable future.
The light loads struck smaller logs of eight or so inches and tore chunks out making it easy to see the area struck..
the load was practical accurate for the 65 yards or so and under that I was plinkng at.
Sorry for so non technical a report.. will do better maybe..
Just want to stress how much fun the shooting was and how comfortable and accurate the load was. It could have been a little hotter without any negative effects; but was not lacking anything that I could tell. I would use this on a whitetail anytime with confidence.
dk

[Lloyd Smale]

youd find youd have better luck using std primers with unique in the 475 and probably get a little better accuracy if you bumped up your charge to at least 9 grains or go to a faster burning powder like 231 or hp38 if you want lighter loads then the 9 grains of unique will give.

[paul105]

DK,

Glad you are enjoying the .475.  I had some 325gr Hornadys loaded with 9.0gr HP38 that I let a friend shoot at the range.  He shoots alot, but mostly 40S&W, 32-20, 45ACP, 22s.  He saw me chronographing some 420gr WFNGCs with H110 (see below).  Anyway, he made a comment about the recoil and I offered to let him shoot it with the light 325gr loads.  You could see him tense up on the first one -- he was pleasantly supprised and enjoyed the remaining rounds.  He commented favorably on the mild recoil.  As they say, these can be loaded mild or wild.

I got the chrono out and tested some moderate, and upper moderate level loads.

410gr WFNGC Cast Performance
Starline Cases
Winchester WLP primers
All 4 shots at 5 paces (about 15 feet)

24.0gr H-110 (3x Fired Cases)  Avg 1,263 fps    ES 16 fps at 93 deg F

24.0gr H-110 (New Cases)  Avg 1,255 fps    ES 31 fps at 93 deg F

(Wanted to see if there was any velocity loss with the 3x fired cases -- obviously not, the results were virtually identical, and could be just the opposite the next time).

18.7gr A2400 (3x fired cases)  Avg 1,099 fps   ES 31 fps at 75 deg F.

I shot this target the other day with the 15.5gr Blue Dot, 410gr WFNGCs (1,138 fps) ref above.

Off hand at 50 yards



That's about as good as I can shoot offhand at 50 yards (usually have one or two fliers that will open a group of 10 up a little more than above).  As you can see, the 3" 50yard group mentioned in my first post was (as i figured) just a fluke.

When I get the rest of the bullets I ordered, I'll work up something in the 370 to 400gr (plainbase) at approx 1,100 fps for general practice (actually would work for anything else I might get a shot at).   

I've been shooting 20 to 25 rounds of the 400gr/1,100 fps stuff everytime I go to the range, and leave wanting to shoot some more. I have run about 275 rounds thru the FA so far.

FWIW,

Paul

[paul105]

Looks like my bullet problems are over for the near term.  Checked my email inbox, and it looks like I'll be getting 1,300 bullets next week.  If I find anything noteworthy, I'll post here.

Paul

[Lloyd Smale]

That 400 at 1100 fps load will take care of anything that walks. Thats about the exact level i used to kill hogs and the same level dustin linebaugh uses out of his 475 and hes killed brown bear at almost 200 yards with it.