Testing loads in my 45-75

larryo_1 · March 26, 2008, 11:06:04 AM

Well I said that I would get back when I did the rest of my test runs so here I am. This morning, I ran out the last 4 loads and here are the results. All bullets were from Buf Arms and cast at 20:1. I do have my new mold from Hoch Custom molds and it casts a nice 350 grain with a 20:1 alloy at a cast 0.459. Anyway here is that data: Weather was with a high overcast, a lite breeze, temp a balmy +26, Used my PACT prof series chrono set at 6 feet from muzzle. All these were fired at 25 yards as I was too damn lazy to scurry down the other 25 yards and it was a tad bit nippy.

Batch #1: 72.0 grains of Swiss 1½ BP, CCI large rifle primers, cases were fire-formed 348's
1. 1429.1 fps, 2. 1414.9 fps, 3. 1421.5 fps, 4. 1422.0 fps, 5. 1422.2 fps
Avg= 1422.0 fps, High= 1429.1 fps, Low= 1414.9 fps, SD= 5.0 fps, CV= 0.35%
Needless to say, I was impressed with the uniformity of this powder/bullet, etc.

Batch #2: 27.0 grains of 4198, CCI large rifle primers, cases were fire-formed 348's
1. 1268.6 fps, 2. 1266.7 fps, 3. 1270.0 fps, 4. 1266.7 fps, 5. 1257.8 fps
Avg= 1266.0 fps, High= 1270.0 fps, Low= 1257* fps, SD= 4.7 fps, CV= 0.4%

Batch #3: 27.0 grains of 5744, CCI large rifle primers, cases were fire-formed 348's
1. 1389.1 fps, 2. 1368.9 fps, 3. 1383.8 fps, 4. 1364.6 fps, 5. 1374.4 fps
Avg= 1376.2 fps, High= 13891. fps, Low= 1364.6 fps, SD=10.2 fps, CV=0.7%

Batch #4: 22.0 grains of 2400, CCI large rifle primers, cases were fire-formed 348's
1.0 1318.0 fps, 2. 1251.8 fps, 3. 1275.6 fps, 4. 1244.6 fps, 5. 1290.1 fps
Avg= 1276.0 fps, High= 1318.0 fps, Low= 1244.6 fps, SD=29.7 fps, CV=2.3%
Must say, here, that although this load has the worst stats, it shot the tightest group.

Also, in closing, do what you want with this data, I had fun even though it was a tad bit on the nippy side this morning.
From here on out, I will just go out to 50 and 100 and try out the 2400 and the Swiss BP. There was very little residue, in the barrel, after firing that BP. I am impressed with that stuff.

Grizzly Adams · March 28, 2008, 06:06:05 PM

Thanks for posting your data, Larryo. Numbers sure looks good on the Swiss. How much compression are you using with the Swiss?

john boy · March 28, 2008, 08:56:05 PM

Larry ... thanks for sharing. Darn good information!
When the weather turns nicer, presume more of us will be testing loads. Be really nice to build a Sticky data base of recipes for the 45-75 ... hugh, hugh, Grizzly? Maybe one Sticky for each of the calibers

larryo_1 · March 29, 2008, 10:20:58 AM

Grizzley:
I can't really say what the compression was. I just poured and stuffed but can sure find out quick enough and pass it on. I have loaded up 10 more rounds of that Swiss to try out farther on out. Since I got all the chrono data I wanted now--ITS TIME TO PLAY!! Oh yes, one other thing. I used that Lee factory crimp die on all that I tested. It worked as it should have and didn't seem to affect anything..

larryo_1 · March 29, 2008, 03:16:12 PM

Grizzley:

Done what you asked for. Did a comparison between the R-P 348 cases and the Starline 50-90 cases with 72.0 grains of Swiss 1½ and in the R-P case I got 0.216" of compression and in the 50-90 case I got 0.283" of compression. Not really all that different. By the way, the 5 shots that I fired with this load, I had a fly on the front sight and had a flyer but the rest cut a clover-leaf. Just thought to pass that on.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · March 30, 2008, 02:21:36 AM

Fly on the front sight! The dog ate my homework! Things are great in Alibi Alley.

Grizzly Adams · March 30, 2008, 01:03:10 PM

Quote from: larryo_1 on March 29, 2008, 03:16:12 PM
Grizzley:

Done what you asked for. Did a comparison between the R-P 348 cases and the Starline 50-90 cases with 72.0 grains of Swiss 1½ and in the R-P case I got 0.216" of compression and in the 50-90 case I got 0.283" of compression. Not really all that different. By the way, the 5 shots that I fired with this load, I had a fly on the front sight and had a flyer but the rest cut a clover-leaf. Just thought to pass that on.

Larryo, thank you for taking to time to get those numbers for me.

Interesting. I have used Swiss 1.5 in my Sharps, and I got really hard fouling when using 0.205+/- compression. Some of the boys on the S Sharps web site report good results with 0/ little compression of Swiss. Seemed to help with the Sharps. One the other hand, the relative humidity here in New Mexico is pretty low, and that may be the most important factor!

Gotta remember that "fly on the front sight" for next time I get my butt handed to me at the next long range match!

larryo_1 · March 30, 2008, 04:59:16 PM

Hey Grizz:

Did I also mention that I had very little fouling with that load? Of course it was only 5 shots, Got 10 more ready to go at 50 yards this time so we will see about that fouling. I think that load is a good one and the stats are great for me anyway.