I've been trying different loads lately and loaded some of the 190 grain LHPs with 7.5 grains of Unique, the same charge I use when loading the 240 grain SWC. Based on load tables, this load should run in the 900 fps range.
The attached photo is one of these rounds fired from my Charter Boomer. It went through a 8 inch watermelon, leaving a gaping exit wound (it blew out about a 3 inch section of rind and pulp) and penetrated about 1 inch into the clay sand backstop. I'm probably not getting 900 fps, more like a true 800 fps, but recoil and muzzle blast were very controllable, although after 5 rounds, I didn't want to shoot any more of these rounds. Weight retention was 95%.
This will probably be where I stay for my S&W 396 and Boomer. In both my Ruger GP100 and S&W 24-6, I shoot the Skelton loads all day without a hitch. I've been leery of using the 240 grain loads in the 396 and Boomer, but I think the 190 grain LHPs will work fine.
|