160 Gr Hornady

[Kerz]

Anyone loading 160 FTX Hornady bullets. I've done some preliminary loads but not yet zeroed in. Your thoughts?
Vic

[psteinmayer]

I've never used them, but I'd be very interested to hear how they perform Vic! I've used Hornady 165 gr SP spitzers before, and they performed pretty good. With my Krags, I have to crimp spitzers or they'll telescope during feeding. Not all Krags experience this though.

[madsenshooter]

Are you using the one for the 30-30 or the one for the .308 Marlin Express?

[Kerz]

The 30-30 bullets. Just something I had on the shelf. They are running at ~2225 (actually 2238, 2225, 2205 sets of 5 shots each) FPS= 41.5 IMR4350, in a Graft case, WLR, at 2.98 OAL.

I'll recheck them across my Magneto Speed (these were Chrony numbers) and check some groups once my rifle gets back from gunsmith. Having a feed issue with all loads, including new. Cases drag and shave brass upon entering the chamber. New barrel.
Vic

[Kerz]

Well, early results are in! Had to go to my all original 1898 to do the testing. Thus, not a new Criterion barrel so the chronograph numbers appear to show the difference. Anyway, Tuesday was a very nice day.
The original barreled gun indicates 2073 fps with 41.5 IMR4350, 160 gr Hornady FTX (30-30 bullet). The new barreled gun was approx. 150 fps second faster, but the shoulder was set back significantly further because of chambering issues.

I need (should've) load more rounds to determine 200 yd performance. The following pic shows a three shot group at 100 yds.

[madsenshooter]

Scope or iron? When those bullets first came out, a Lt Col friend of mine thought they'd be just the ticket, a spitzer that'd take some of the jump to the rifling out. He never got around to playing with them though.

[Kerz]

Just a std iron-sighted 1898. Of course, this was only three shots but still looks to have some real potential. Too, I'd be damn lucky to repeat that group. Ha!
I loaded 45 rounds yesterday with the 160 FTX. Next weeks weather is looking pretty good. Plan to get some 200 yd results.
Vic

[Kerz]

Update on that 160 gr Hornady FTX load. Back at the range today, 100 yds. Just too muddy to get to the 200 yd range.
Four of the 5 shots were 1/2 MOA. Five shots = 1.2 Max MOA. An interesting indicator of performance is the Mean result.
Std 1898, though I did use the aperture sight today. This load seems amazingly good. My 220 and 150 gr loads were much larger groups.

[madsenshooter]

I'd like to try those in my 30 Remington 141!