Author Topic: One gun two loads (Read 547 times)

aulrich · « **on:** September 20, 2004, 09:48:25 AM »

For Coyotes this year I am thinking about running two loads in my 243 win a low power load for close range full power for all else. I am running a break open so the swapping of round should not be too much (I hope) of a problem.

So what I am thinking is for both loads I would use the Sierra 60 gr HP The full steam load would be near max of h4895 (~ 42 gr giving ~3700 fps) the light load could go down as far as 25.2 (60% max as per hodgdon documentation).

I would sight in with the full power load then tune the low power load to give a reasonable point of impact (which could be the tricky part). According to Hodgdon the 60% load should produce a load that is 1500 - 2100, I am thinking that 2500 (70% - 75% as a swag) should be about perfect, as it would be fast enough to expand out to about 150 but not too much pelt damaging energy.

Does this seem do-able

Duffy · « **Reply #1 on:** September 20, 2004, 05:41:55 PM »

It should be, I just ran a few numbers and for instance if you zeroed the faster load at 200yards it would be around .3 high at 100 while the slower load would be about 2" high at 100. Now these aren't written in stone I just threw a few # together and ran it. Should be able to make your comparisons with the ballistic tables in the back of the reloading manual. I did a similar load for my friends 3006, 180g and 150g have same poi.

Gregory · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2004, 02:08:46 PM »

When I first tried handgunning for deer I'd take my handgun in a shoulder holster and have my 30/06 rifle in my lap. The idea was to use the handgun for the close range shots. In reality, I had a buck come in too close (10 yds) and for fear of spooking him trying to extract the handgun from the holster, I just trew up the ole 30/06 and let him have it.

My point in this story is, in your case, I'd just load the high power load and take those coyotes at any range. Save the low power load for target practice. When push comes to shove, you will not want to risk switching loads for that close range coyote for fear of spooking him.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2004, 10:18:40 PM »

Gregory's advice sounds good here.
Any extra movement can give you away quickly. A decoy might draw attention away from yourself but is still alot to get away with.

A third factor here would be multible yotes. You might end up trying to load the call into the rifle while juggling two different loadings.

aulrich · « **Reply #4 on:** September 22, 2004, 06:34:15 AM »

Gregory

I'll probably run it opposite of you I would I would start with the low power load, especially early in the season assuming that I will be able to get them in under 200 yards likely 100 yards or less. So I am not as worried about getting busted from 200+ yards. Latter in the season or in a spot a stalk situation I would likely have the higher power load in.

And as for getting loads mixed up in the heat of action I'll have to work that out. definitely color coded primers and maybe different brands of brass. I'll probably have only high p loads in the ammo sling on the stock and the low P load in a pocket. This because the low p loads would be used in a calling setup where quick access is not required.

I am halfway thinking that if the low p loads give me 200 -250 yards I may not even carry the high p loads untill later in the season when the dogs are more cautious

Mac11700 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 22, 2004, 07:50:17 AM »

I'm more inclined to the 1 load mutiple yardages...as long as you know your actual yardage and point blank maximum range for your intended kill zone,and stay in it...you can save a-lot of hassle with the different loads..and just hold dead center and squeeze......makes things so much simpler...

Mac

james · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2004, 09:04:11 AM »

For some reason reloaders like to experiment... self included. I can't help with your 7 mag but I worked up loads in my 6.5 X 55 Encore that has the same approximate poi at 100 yd. I used 95 gr Vmax and Varget for the light loads and 140 and 150 gr. spire points with 4198 for the heavy loads. My 11 year old daughter knows to use the bullets with the red tips as she doesn't like recoil. I plink at armadillos, yotes and other vermin with the 95 grainers while sitting on a deer stand without a muzzle blast to scare deer away. Accuracy falls off prettty quick w/ the light bullets but the heavier bullets are stabilzed better in the 1 in 8 twist barrel and are four times as accurate at 300 yd.
I hope you find loads that work in your gun.
James

aulrich · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2004, 10:18:05 AM »

Just to report back the reduced loads (26-30 gr of h4895) were all over the map and the point of aim is 8" lower than the full load. So the experiment failed. But the full steam loads seem to give a goo result.