I have 2 loads for my Ackley, a 500 grn X at 2100 fps and a 450 grn X at 2385. Both shoot good which would you use?

Thanks
Mike

Mike are these the reloader 15 loads? Winchester cases?

Both loads are using Remington cases. The 450 X is 90.5 grains of Reloader 15, 91 grns was a little hot.

Mike

Use the 450 grain bullet @ 23xx fps - I use a 460 grain gas checked hard cast with 96.5 grains of WW748, chronies @ 2375 fps for a fun plinking load - KMule

Hi Mike,
Try the 450X with WW 748. I think that WW748 is one of the best powders for the 450 Ackley. It gives top velocities and is temperature stable. My 602 would shoot the 500 grain Hornady at 2380 fps and shoot one inch groups. That was with 97 grains of WW 748 and Winchester brass.
Take care,
Dave

Which load would be more effective on game?

Mike

Hi Mike,
I think your 450 X bullet load would be more reliable because of your initial velocity.The 500X at 2100 fps will have a remaining velocity of 1953 at 100 yards. The 450 will have a remaining velocity of 2179 at the same distance. Both will have the sectional density to do the job but personally I think the bullet expansion would be better with the 450 at the higher velocity.
Take care,
Dave

Mike,

You might like to have a look at our data for this cartridge on the Reloading Pages.

Hodgdon H335 and VVN 135 are also good powders for this cartridge.

I cannot help feeling you might wish to try some of these powders to gain a bit more velocity with your 500 grain bullet - which I would recommend in this caliber rather than a lighter bullet for hunting.

The 450 grain "X" monolithic is tailormade for the .458 Lott / Ackley / Watts. The energy difference in favor of the 450 is substantial. As 470 Mbogo suggests, any slight gain in "SD" with the 500 is more than off-set by the higher velocities of the 450. IMO, there is nothing to be gained in selecting the 500 "X", for this casing. I suggest molycoating your bullets and trying faster powders such as WW748 & RL-7 powder.

500 @ 2,100 = 4,897 FPE
450 @ 2,385 = 5,685 FPE

[ 09-21-2003, 23:32: Message edited by: Nickudu ]