Well Pa. gun season for whitetails opens Monday Nov 28.I been doing a lot of range time with my 629 Classic.It's a 6.5" topped with a Bushnell Holosight.Here's where I slipped.Have it sighted dead on at 50yards using commercial reloads 240gr.at 1250fps.The whole time thinking in my ammo box were a couple of boxes of Hornady XTP 240 gr.rated at what I believed to be 1270fps.Real close so I thought point of impact
would be close to identical.Well as it turns out the Hornady I have in my ammo box is 200gr.at 1500fps.Add to that there is only one box.Anyone know how much difference this will make.
the area I am hunting is probably going to allow a max of a 50yd shot.I called a couple local shops for the 240gr XTP but they don't have any.I think senility might be sneaking up on me.Am I concerned over nothing?Thanks for thoughts and opinions.

Every gun is a law unto itself regarding POI vs POA with different loads.

You won't know for sure until you fire a few and see.

__________________
Stu

From my experience the 200gr load if at factory pressure can hit 3-5 inches lower. Too many variables to say for sure though.

Nope, Stu had it right. Ya gotta shoot a few and see.

Larry

I'd stick with the 240gr. Unless you have knowledge of penetration of the lighter slug, its lower sectional density might compromise its performance on a shot other than a broadside presentation. Just food for thought. Don

Well, I know my 6.5" 629 Classic shoots lower with lighter weight slugs....My guess is you will be high with the heavier slugs.

Check this thread out... 629-6 Classic, lighter bullets lower, heavier higher????

Where in Pennsylvania are you located? I'm near Carlisle and have several boxes of Hornady 240-grain JHP XTP factory loads. I would be glad to give you a box if you replace it later.

For what it's worth, I shoot handloads of 240-grain Precision Cast lead semi-wadcutters over 5.0 grains of Hodgdon's TiteGroup for practice and target shooting - believe it or not, they shoot to the exact same POI as the Hornady 240s at 25 yards.

I also have several boxes of the 180-grain version of the Hornady XTP load. They shoot a little flatter than the 240s and their recoil is eye-widening. The 240s kick hard but the 180s are downright violent by comparison.

Ed - (717) 512-0250

.....Shoot'em....

I dont claim to be scientific, but for some reason I belive in bullet weights for what the guns and cartridges were designed for.

All I use is 200-210 loads for whitetails with excellent results (handloads however) If you use the 200 gns and your gun is sighted for 240's it would be in your best intersted to either buy more of the 240's your gun was sighted for, or sight in your gun for the 200 gn.

Well you guys helped me decide to do another range trip.I'm going to shoot some of the 200gr and see where we're at.Iknew that was going to be the way to go but needed to hear it from smarter guys than me.Thanks for the advice and AveragEd,I really appreciate your offer.Good to know there's good people out there like you who would help someone they've never met.Happy Thanksgiving