Top End Loads

While I have only hand loaded for the 44 mag and 454 Casull, I've noticed that to get the tightest groups I have to be near or over (go ahead) max recommended charges. I have no extraction issues at all. Not complaining but just curious to see if it is me or a normal condition. H110 is my preferred powder.

Nature of the beast. It likes a full case.

Using H110, you don't really have much of a choice and with all that fire & brimstone comes a little more "snap", as a bonus. Maybe a different powder might also give you small groups with a lot less recoil.

I noticed that too. I use H110 in my 460, and I agree that you need to load it close to maximum to get good consistency. With the start load recommended by Hornady, the average velocity I chronographed out of my 460 was 1825 fps, but the spread was an unacceptable 225. Once I worked up to within a half grain of the listed maximum, I had an average velocity of 2047 fps with a spread of around 30. At the distances I shoot (<50 yards) and considering I'm relatively new to handgun shooting, I didn't pay any attention to how the accuracy of the two loads compared.

Exactly.

Thanks for the replies so far. It really is enlightening. Starting loads Saturday looked more like a shotgun pattern, 1.5 grains later and it is around 2". Can you say compressed?

The less recoil the load has. The more your grip can come into play affecting the point of impact shot to shot

Yep found that out too, knew it but forgot. That 1.5 grains was an increase not a decrease.

Ive found the harder the recoil the easier it is for me to be accurate for at least several shots bc of that. If i use a low power load ill need to shoot alot and find a really consistent grip and once i do that my less redlined loads get more accurate. I only use h110 or win 296 for max loads and for less powerful i use hs6 or longshot

How do figure this? Just asking, it's not something I thought of with my issues. I'm new to reloading, but not new to my SRH. With full power factory and handloads, I get nice consistent groups. With my midrange loads, I'm all over the place. Played with crimp tension, bullet seating depth, etc.

I am gonna guess it has to do with longer barrel time.

I use a bunch of H110 and I usually find the sweet spot approx. one grain below max.

With some calibers one grain difference in charge weight is the full difference between min and max loads. While it does shoot softer with less powder, H110 performs better with full cases and nearly compressed charges. This has been true with every caliber and bullet weight I have shot.

That's about what I'm seeing. Of course, .5 and 2.5 grains below max work well too. That equates to 1% and 5% below the maximum, respectively. You know, the consistency issue when H110 is loaded light is probably why on the canister's label they recommend reducing the max load by only 3% to start, compared to 10 to 15% with other powders.

Not just talking about H110. The reduced loads are with HS6 n Longshot. I already had to knock bullets back out of the barrel cause of not enough H110. Lol