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Old 07-02-2018, 10:57 PM
Eddietruett Eddietruett is offline
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Default More Range Results with GT Bullets

First let me state I have no affiliation with GT Bullets. I mostly shoot HyTek Coated Cast and probably will continue just for the cleaner shooting coated bullets. I've never been real impressed with the "regular" cast bullets off the shelf. Either lack of accuracy or leading problems. I do the average shooter thing, buy and try. I've never slugged a barrel which I know if the best way, but trying out new things is part of the fun of loading. Since I found the GT Bullets, I've been intrigued with them. Mainly I think because they are so pretty. The castings look as good or better than any I've seen. I also like they will sell 100 packs which make testing affordable and you don't wind up with a bunch that don't perform as you want. I posted some of these results recently so forgive me for some of the repeats.
All were .38/.357
The .38's were all shot in a 3" Model 65 and since its hotter than hades here, I only used Universal for .38 and 2400 for .357 using pet charges that worked well in other brands. For the .38's I used some water jugs to check expansion and penetration, I guess sort of a SD load. The .357's I was mainly interested in accuracy.
Velocity was not checked by chronograph. It was too hot to set up. Velocity is sort of a guess based on previous velocities I've got with other cast bullets.

.38 Test All loaded with 5.0gr Universal
130gr around 1000fps. Good penetration (recovered in 5th jug with little to no expansion). I think due to thicker walls and small cavity. Accuracy was worse of the 3 .38 loads

140gr. around 900-950 fps. Good penetration (recovered in 4th jug. Expanded to around .580). Thinner Walls with larger cavity. Accuracy was very good at least for me shooting offhand.

160 gr around 900 fps. Almost duplicated the 140gr. (recovered in 4th jug but dimpled backside. Almost made it through. Expansion around .575
I would think the 140 and 160gr would make very good FBI type loads.

.357 Mag All with Model 686 8 3/8" with Red Dot Sight off Caldwell rest.

175gr Keith Style loaded with 12.0gr 2400 around 1250fps. Fantastic accuracy. At least for me. Able to keep in one ragged hole at around 20 yards and was able to hit a 6" Plate at 80 yards every time I did my job. Could hit the 4" over 50%. No sign of leading after 30 rounds. This was a winner in my book. Would make a great bear or hog load

190gr FP loaded with 10.0gr 2400. Guessing maybe 1000fps.
Accuracy was almost as good as the 175gr. Of course had more drop and only had 25 loaded. Once I got the drop figured out, it was easy to keep on 6" plate. Didn't see much data for the 190gr listed with any of the powders I had on hand. Would like to push it a little harder and see if I can get it up around 1200fps.

What did I learn? Mainly that trying new bullets and loads never gets old. If every time I went to the range it was with the same bullet and load, I'd get bored in a hurry. I love to read when members post new bullets, powder and loads they try and the results.
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Old 07-03-2018, 02:26 AM
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BLUEDOT37 BLUEDOT37 is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddietruett View Post
I mostly shoot HyTek Coated Cast and probably will continue just for the cleaner shooting coated bullets. I've never been real impressed with the "regular" cast bullets off the shelf.... Since I found the GT Bullets, I've been intrigued with them.

What did I learn? Mainly that trying new bullets and loads never gets old. If every time I went to the range it was with the same bullet and load, I'd get bored in a hurry. I love to read when members post new bullets, powder and loads they try and the results.
I thought you were implying these bullets are HyTek Coated too but I see that they are not. Don't see any on their website. Glad you're happy with them.

I'm constantly trying new bullet/powder combinations to find what shoots the best too. Like you say, less boring.

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Old 07-03-2018, 12:09 PM
1sailor 1sailor is offline
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I would like to try some of GT's bullets but I've become pretty spoiled by the Hy-Tek bullets. They seem like a small outfit but I hope they eventually do offer coated bullets.
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