by jmbod » Thu Mar 18, 2021 6:28 pm
fast forward to March 18th 2021, and the FTX 250 is still the most common for commercial Hornaday loading , although federal sells a 300 grainer as their standard. I will make a few separate points:
1. Complaints on the performance of the 250 FTX are circulating, then a year of so ago Hornaday introduced the 245 grain interlock for the Bushmaster: it has the exposed lead tip with a bc of approx 1.65, less than the ftx. I have not looked into reviews on its performance. I killed one deer, a pass through at about 100 (250 ftx), quarter size exit; Impossible to critique the opinions on bullet criticisms due to non bullet variables that may cause problems.
2. Before during and after the Presidential Election gun sales and ammunition sales have apparently mushroomed, causing the ammo shortage and gun shortage. 9mm fmjs selling for 44.95, most calibers of loaded ammo couldnt be found. Same for powders, most on line places are out of stock on everything. Long guns if u can find one had a third mark up around this writing.
3. Hoarding mode. With powders and components unpredictable, many reloaders are sort of conserving their stock to make sure they have enough for the fall 2021 hunting seasons, not knowing when shortages will ease.
4. A few friends have been caught empty handed in the shortage--all out of rounds. Now the requests have trickled in about reloads. I will wait this out and see if availability improves, otherwise I may help them out, although reloaders are cautioned to review their skill level and tolerances of the 450 to make sure they can produce a consistent, chamberable round. Test chambering loaded round esp in Single shots and semi-autos are important, verify before loading a batch. U want cartridge to eject easily, as in unloading a live round at the end of the day. A caliper is critical to get case mouth tolerances to spec.so mouth headspaces correctly, or if too small may cause light primer strikes. No need to max load, keep within specs for powder and bullet oal, case mouth, optional crimping.
5. I realize the authoritative types may flame me for loading for others, for me listing proper caveats of handling reloads and risks before they commit is the way to go,, friends can walk if they choose, no offense taken.
6. Reflecting on my slug hunting--short range--days and moving to a NEF single 20 g sabot was a big sea change, but the 450 has been an improvement: great hunting experience.