Just because I don't hotrod the CZ 550 in 458 Lott ... that doesn't make me gay does it?

I went from the "wus" level of 80 grains of RL-15 up to 84 grains with the old-style Hornady FMJ 500 grainer, and 85 grains of RL-15 with the Hornady RNSP 500 grainer. I got such adequate results that I stopped there. I also touched off the old Jack Lott load of 83 grains of IMR 4320 for comparison. 4 rounds of each load along the way.

Barnes Ammo brass, F215 primer, 91 degrees F, 25" barrel. Chrono 15 feet from the muzzle. Iron sights. 50 yard target.

RL-15/FMJ Hornady 500grainer
*************************************************
84.0 grains
ave = 2239 fps, ES = 12 fps, Sd = 5 fps
group = 1 inch

RL-15/RNSP Hornady 500grainer
*************************************************
85.0 grains
ave = 2245 fps, ES = 11 fps, Sd = 5 fps
group = 3/4 inch, center of group within 1/2" of FMJ POI

IMR 4320/FMJ Hornady 500grainer
*************************************************
ave = 2211 fps, ES = 14 fps, Sd = 6 fps
group = 3/4", elevation 1" below RL-15 84.0 grains

This is a small sample, and an old can of IMR 4320, dated 1989, and a year 2000 lot of RL-15: limited statistical significance.

None of the cases showed any pressure signs. No measurable difference in case heads. No ejector marks or brass extrusion. Primers not flattened. Easy as you please all around the bolt action.

The 2400+ fps 350 grain X-Bullet and Hornady RNSP 350 grainer shoot to within 2 to 2.5 inch higher elevation, same windage, and are pleasant light loads for smaller game. That was 80 grains of IMR 3031.

Gary Sitton considered 85.0 grains of RL-15 a maximum load with the 500 grain FMJ Hornady, IIRC.

Even 84.0 grains of RL-15 is compressed, but not at all "hot." It sure is a user friendly powder in this user friendly cartridge.

Sorry, Will, I don't think I will be able to give you a 2400 fps load in a 25" barrel, with RL-15.

I am happy to better the 458 WinMag ballistics in a reliable lower pressure way. Good enough for me. You may call me a "wus," but this "gay" thing is totally unfounded, a concoction of "Pure Evil."

Rats, no RL-15 for the Lott, heh?

I've never met anyone, even electronically, that could shoot 1" groups with open-sights, at least anyone over 30 years of age. Of course, there is Ray that can shoot anything between here and the horizon with open-sights.

Thanks for the effort. 4320 seems to work well enough for what I want. Besides that, I could never bring myself to use any load developed by a guy suspected of being a wuss and gay!!

Speaking of being a wuss, I don't think I could handle all that high-powered shooting in one sitting.

Will

Will,
Those were 3-shot groups, picking the best three holes of the four fired, so some home cooking there, sorry I didn't mention that, but nobody is perfect.

Also, the range was only 50 yards, with the tiny front bead and and one pound set trigger of the DaggaRifle.

For real DaggaWork, a bigger, brighter bead and a non-set trigger of 3.5-4 pounds will be used.

Note that the Swift A-Frame did give a 1/2" lucky group for 3 shots of only three fired in part one of the DaggaSaga ... saving those more expensive bullets for later.

I feel that I can routinely do 1.5 MOA straight, non-home-cooked three shot groups at 100 yards with iron sights, about my limit. Good spectacles help.

My bragging group is the 0.147" three shot center to center with the 416 Rigby and GSC FN 380 grainer at 100 yards. A scope was used there.

Three shot groups are sure a lot easier than five shot groups, and you know what a whimp I am, just can't take the stress of concentrating for five. These are hunting guns anyway: "One shot, meat! Two shot, maybe! Three shot, heap big BS!" So the old injun said.

[ 07-17-2002, 17:33: Message edited by: DaggaRon ]

DaggaRon- I apologize for calling you a Wus, nevertheless, a Lott that ONLY produces approx. 2250fps is not an over-achiever in my book. I susspect that the 25 inch barrel is the culprit. I have a 450 Ackley that has a 26 incher on it and with 86-87 grs of RL-15 and the hornady bullet will be just shy of 2400fps. You have to stoke that thing up more or risk more verbal insults from that Mastermind Pure Evil.

Ya big wuss put some powder in that damn gun....Your just getting started with IMR-4320, that Jack Lott load is a casper milk toast load...Try 84, 85 carefully...thats what David Miller uses, according to Rifle magazine, and several others use 84....I settled on 84 at 2350 FPS in my old 26" gun and went up to 86 but got a definate extractor mark so backed off two grains...that was my hunting load...86 grs. got me 2500 plus and my attention also...Whew!!

Please guys, forgive me, I like low pressure, no strain loads.

I will progress up from the Lott like this if I want more whomp from a .458" bullet:

450 Barnes Supreme: 2300 fps in a 22" barrel

460 Weatherby: Wuss loaded with 500 grainer at 2500 fps or less in a 25" barrel.

And then there are my bigger bores.