Velocity Question

[cattleskinner]

I wanted to know if any of you that has a ballistics calculator would do some number crunching for me.  I'm using a 240gr. Hornady XTP in front of 12.1 gr. of Longshot lit by a CCI Large Pistol Mag. primer in a Federal case.  It' being shot out of a Magnum Research Lone Eagle 44 mag. with a 14" barrel.  I wanted to know how fast it is moving out of the barrel. It should be around 1300 fps. according to Hodgden's free phamplet if I were to use a Nosler JHP of the same weight.  They used a 8.275" barrel in their tests.  It shoots good w/o any pressure signs, and less recoil than the white box winchester ammo.  I also wanted to know what your opinions are as to energy, range, and deer dropping ability.  I've used a muzzleloader for the past 4 years, but this is the first year to use a handgun on deer.  Thanks in advance for the help guys.

~~~Cattleskinner

[myronman3]

manuels are not a reliable way to calculate velocity.  EVERY gun is different.  if you took five guns the same as yours and fired the exact same ammo, you will get five different velocities.   i hate to say it but the only way to know is to fire it over a chronograph.

[Lone Star]

A 12.1 grain load of Longshot looks to be pretty mild - Hodgdons lists 11.8 grains as max with a 325-grain cast bullet.  Regardless of velocity or powder, a load with less powder weight will usually produce less recoil, so that comment is expected.  The only way to know the muzzle velocity for certain is to use a chronograph.

[cbagman]

:-D Right on with every gun is different.. I proved that to myself by firing the same loads thru the chrono using a 6.5 in S&W Classic and a 6 in S&W Full lug 629.. The 6 in one was considerably faster..Cylinder gap is a fwe thou closer.. Read the books but shoot the gun over a chrono..Takes the guess work out.. :wink:  from cbagman

[cattleskinner]

Thanks to all that posted.  I realize that in order to find the true speed of the rounds, I need to use a chronograph, I just don't know of anyone that has one, that's my predicament.  I guess what my original intent was to see if you guys thought that 1300 or so fps was possible, and since it has a closed breech, and a longer barrel than was used in their testing, to find out how much you thought that the velocity would increase from your own experience.  I plan on limiting my shots to 75yds or less, as that's all the further I have been able to keep consistant groupings in a vital area sized target, and I'm sure that at that speed, and that bullet that I should have plenty of energy to humanely drop a deer.  What's your opinions guys?

~~~Cattleskinner

[Dand]

Drop by your local range(s?) and serious gun shops and ask around.  Surely you'll find someone willing to run a few rounds over their chrono. Shooting a batch of 5 rounds should give you a good ballpark idea of your velocity and uniformity.

Don't be surprised if the owner insists on doing the shooting himself - to avoid possibly shooting the screens or whole chrono depending on model.

I've done this for a few folks here in our town.   Good luck.

[WD45]

A 240 grain bullet running at 1300 fps will kill deer no problem. Even at 1200 FPS it will kill deer fine at the distance you are talking.  Dont get to hung up on how fast it goes. It is the end result that counts. If you are unsure , get some wet newspaper/phone books that will add up to a couple feet thick at least and see what your load does at different distances. Put a piece of plywood in the mix to simulate bone. That I have found to give you more info than a chrony ever will.

[Gregory]

I wouldn't hesitate to use my 44 Special with 240 gr bullets at 1000 fps to hunt deer at 50-75 yds.  As long as you can hit them in the vitals, you'll do just fine.

[myronman3]

with a closed breech design you should post better velocities than a revolver would.   still, it is impossible to know exactly where you are at without using a chrono.   it really doesnt matter, though, so long as you can put it where you want it and stay within your abilities you will be fine.