Need advice on strange POA

[mugsie]

Help. I'm loading 44 magnum. Loaded 240g LRNFP over 13.3g's of AA#5 shot out of a Ruger Redhawk. When shooting this load, the strike point is approximately 4-6 inches higher than POA. I tried removing the rear sight, filed it down somewhat and it helped a little but not much. Then I tried a factory load Remington 180g SJSP. The strike point was low of the target and I was able to adjust the sights to be dead on at 25 yards. Switching back to the 240 with #5, the strike point is still high. Aughhh :banghead:

What could be causing a heavier bullet to rise up so much? Need I change the powder (it's what I had and use for my .357)? The Speer and Accurate manuals all give formulas for #5 so I thought it would work. Anyone had similar problems? Why can'l I shoot 240g and hit the target? I would appreciate any help, suggestions or advice. Thanks....

 

[Owen]

Heavier bullets will tend to strike higher at at typical handgun ranges, because of the increase in muzzle flip while the bullet is still in the barrel.

You can try a lighter bullet. Changing the powder won't much difference.

 

[bakert]

You need a taller front sight for the heavier bullets.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Go to lighter bullets or hae a gunsmith install a higher front sight. Don't file down your rear sight any more unless you can replace it and I would if you have.

 

[mugsie]

Let's see if I understand this

OK guys - you're saying that since the bullet is heavier, the recoil is greater. OK so far - now because of the heavier recoil the bullet is still in the barrel while it's moving upwards, consequently at the time it leaves the barrel I'm pointed approx 5 inches or so higher and the POI reflects this? So in order to duplicate "factory" loads, since I'm using a 180g factory bullet, if I were to go to - say - a 200g LSWC, the POI should be somewhere very close to the factory load - yes?

The sights are fine for 180g, in fact they could stand to be raised a little, but for the 240g I guess I will need a slightly higher front sight. Since it's a Redhawk and they just push in, does anyone make a higher sight? When I'm shooting the 240g load I could simple slip in the pre-adjusted sight and I'll be fine.

I'll try some 200g loads later this week and see what happens. They should impact very close to the factory loads. Incidently, when shooting factory out of my 357, the groups were much wider and by hand loading I was able to tighten them considerably. When using the 44 magnum, the factory groups are already extremly tight and I would be pleased to duplicate them in handloads!

thanks for the good input people.

 

[RecoilRob]

Looking at the AA website, they show 12.6-14.0 range with 240's for 1235-1400fps. Your 13.3 is right in the middle and is WAY fast for a lead bullet. If it is hard cast, gas checked and properly lubed, you could be just fine at that velocity.

If they are plain base and not really, really hard...you might be driving them a bit too fast. Might suggest a similar load with a jacketed bullet and compare the POI.

Stranger things have happened and overdriven lead bullets can do weird things.

 

[Bullet]

You might try these –

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=334505

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=331961

They come in 3 heights .310 .332 .390. Also 2 colors. I put the .332 on my GP100. The .390 might work for you.