Took my new optima pistol to the range yesterday. I shot 48 bullets 6 at 60 gr weighed BH209 just to get used to shooting it. 3 each with 44 cal 240 gr xtp with smooth green sabots from 60 to 66 gr weighed BH209 increasing by 1 gr. I did the same with 250 gr 45 cal xtp. The groups weren't good at all shooting at 50 yards (4-5") until I hit 64 grains at which point they tightened up to 1.5 to 2". I cleaned the breech plug every 3 shots and ran 1 dry patch down the barrel. The rest I brought didn't work well for me at all during the first 6 shots so I used my backpack and a rolled up blanket for all load testing. I was quite surprised at how the groups tightened up so dramatically at 64 grains compared to 60-63.
I only have another pound of BH209 and decided to make the switch to 777 for the range, and save the BH209 for hunting incase the price and availability don't get better. Anyone have a good starting load of 777 behind the 240 and 250 gr xtp? I figured I'd start off at about 68 gr weighed and work up to 75 gr. I do have a good supply of crushed rib black and green sabots, but in my rifles the smooth ones seem to shoot just a bit better. Should I try the crushed rib's with the 777? Should I be swabbing between shots or every few shots? Any other suggestions to try out? I don't have any low power primers, only winchester full strength 209's, hopefully this won't hurt my results.
The gun is really fun to shoot, and while there is no question if it went off or not, the recoil is very manageable, not nearly as bad as my 500 mag. The worst part was the walk through 3' of snow to get to the targets, otherwise I wish I'd have brought more powder. I ordered 4# of 777 FF from midsouth, I can't wait to start burning it up. Hopefully it will get delivered next week, that should give me time to figure out a better rest.
I only have another pound of BH209 and decided to make the switch to 777 for the range, and save the BH209 for hunting incase the price and availability don't get better. Anyone have a good starting load of 777 behind the 240 and 250 gr xtp? I figured I'd start off at about 68 gr weighed and work up to 75 gr. I do have a good supply of crushed rib black and green sabots, but in my rifles the smooth ones seem to shoot just a bit better. Should I try the crushed rib's with the 777? Should I be swabbing between shots or every few shots? Any other suggestions to try out? I don't have any low power primers, only winchester full strength 209's, hopefully this won't hurt my results.
The gun is really fun to shoot, and while there is no question if it went off or not, the recoil is very manageable, not nearly as bad as my 500 mag. The worst part was the walk through 3' of snow to get to the targets, otherwise I wish I'd have brought more powder. I ordered 4# of 777 FF from midsouth, I can't wait to start burning it up. Hopefully it will get delivered next week, that should give me time to figure out a better rest.