I am the new owner of a 1979 Ruger 44 Carbine which is almost as new and works flawlessly. I will use it for wild boar hunting and I intend on using the Hornady 265-gr FP bullets as these are a perfect diet for the target. I also have a spare box of Hdy 225-gr FTX rounds, which should also work for the intended purpose (I wouldn't be shooting farther than about 25-50 yards at most, when carrying the carbine).
I have reloaded several charges of H110 following the Hornady 9th edition handbook (which uses a Ruger carbine for the 44 Mag "Rifle" section) and, using the same components, I get the exact same results in terms of muzzle velocity as the manual, so I guess my rounds are on the ball from that point of view, nothing's wrong. I got up to the listed maximum load of 23.2 grs H110 (with WLP primers, a good crimp and a 1.610 COL) without any signs of excessive pressure, with perfect feeding ejection, etc. A 22.0 grs charge gave about 1,600 fps Vo, a 23.0 charge about 1,700 fps Vo.
However, my concern is the Hornady manual is the only one reputable source showing a max load of 23.2 grs of H110 with that bullet. Other manuals and the Hodgdon site usually stop at 21.0 – 21.5 grains, for the same Hdy bullet or 270-grs. bullets. The WLP primer used by the Hornady lab, based on scientific tests done here in Italy, is substantially equivalent (pressure and force) to the LP magnum primers by CCI and Others, so I don't think that's a reason for the higher loads.
So I am asking for the advice of those here who have experience with loading for the Ruger carbine with similar loads.
Specifically, while maybe not "excessive" pressure-wise, are the cited 23.2 H110/265gr FP bullet loads too hard on the carbine in the long run? I would not want to end up with a broken trigger housing or other part, since getting spares for the carbine is almost impossible here in Italy.
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.
Cheers
I have reloaded several charges of H110 following the Hornady 9th edition handbook (which uses a Ruger carbine for the 44 Mag "Rifle" section) and, using the same components, I get the exact same results in terms of muzzle velocity as the manual, so I guess my rounds are on the ball from that point of view, nothing's wrong. I got up to the listed maximum load of 23.2 grs H110 (with WLP primers, a good crimp and a 1.610 COL) without any signs of excessive pressure, with perfect feeding ejection, etc. A 22.0 grs charge gave about 1,600 fps Vo, a 23.0 charge about 1,700 fps Vo.
However, my concern is the Hornady manual is the only one reputable source showing a max load of 23.2 grs of H110 with that bullet. Other manuals and the Hodgdon site usually stop at 21.0 – 21.5 grains, for the same Hdy bullet or 270-grs. bullets. The WLP primer used by the Hornady lab, based on scientific tests done here in Italy, is substantially equivalent (pressure and force) to the LP magnum primers by CCI and Others, so I don't think that's a reason for the higher loads.
So I am asking for the advice of those here who have experience with loading for the Ruger carbine with similar loads.
Specifically, while maybe not "excessive" pressure-wise, are the cited 23.2 H110/265gr FP bullet loads too hard on the carbine in the long run? I would not want to end up with a broken trigger housing or other part, since getting spares for the carbine is almost impossible here in Italy.
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.
Cheers