I have zeroed my 45 Long Colt Henry with 230gr hand cast pistol bullets and it is very accurate. When I switch to high power loads with the same weight Hornady leveroultion jacketed bullet it shoots 4 to 5 inches lower at 25 yds. It still shoots good groups only a lot lower. Any theorys on why?

I would say it might be longer dwell time in the barrel due to the jacket composition as well as different pressures due to the longer time in the barrel, and different powder charges. I believe the jacket material causes more friction in plain words. But I'm just guessing.

Steve E........

I would think that with a much higher muzzel velocity that the dwell time in the barrel would be reduced.

Have you checked Bullet diameter’s between both types of loads???

quote:

Originally posted by psj12:
I would think that with a much higher muzzel velocity that the dwell time in the barrel would be reduced.

my thought also. they seem to shoot lower at 25 yards with faster loads.

It makes perfectly good sense that faster loads should shoot lower with the same sight setting...the muzzle of the barrel hasn't recoiled as high when the bullets leave it.

At long range, things will reverse and the faster loads will shoot higher because the trajectory fall is steeper in the low velocity loads.

but up close, lower impact is very typical for faster moving bullets.

I agree but is 4 to 5 inches difference at 25 yards Odd? I could accept that difference at longer ranges.

Want to see a big one--- try remington green box in 45/70 at 405 grain bullet weight at 1180fps vs a remington 405 hand loaded at 2000 fps. Way lower at short range if you don't adjust sights!!

The greater the pressure, the greater the barrel distortion. Pretty common occurrence with lever gun barrels that are broach cut, stamped, and banded to mag tubes.

I finally got it zeroed in using new Skinner sights. These are good looking replacement rear peeps for the Henry. Being a peep it helps my old eyes also. I bought the standard height sight but found it was too short so I ordered a taller rear peep post and it is right on the money now. the skinner sights use the existing front sight.