Winchester Black Talon 250gr. 44 Mag. bullet load data

440turner · Oct 30, 2010

I recently came across a few 250 gr. Black Talon bullets and was wondering if anyone had any load data or what the optimal velocity I should try to push this bullet? I will be using this for deer hunting and will be shooting it out of my 629, I have 2400, IMR4227, 296, Bullseye, and Unique, CCI mag. and reg. Federal match mag and reg mag.Does anyone have any real life use or data for these? From the base of the bullet to the beginning of the cannelure it is .390 and the cannelure is .055 wide with the bullet .7550, do these deminsions stack up with other 250 gr bullets?

440turner · Oct 31, 2010

I really like the properties of IMR4227, in that it is next to impossible to overcharge and impossible to double charge. It is also good for changing temperatures here in Michigan, I use 23.0 gns for my 240gn GDHP,s #4455 and they love it. Winchester must have sold these Black Talon bullets as reloading components because I have factory paperwork with the rounds I bought, and it has a lot # and part number as well as the qty. of 20 per pack and are virgin bullets that have not been pulled from loaded ammo.

Skip Sackett · Oct 31, 2010

440,
I don't have any data for those exact bullets and the lack of them on the market may be the reason there have been few replies, no one else has any experience with them either.

At any rate, I have two bullets here that I can measure and give you a little help with your quest.

Hornady 240gr XTP and Sierra 240gr JHC power jacket (8610).

The XTP measures: bullet OAL is .703". From base to canalure .340" with the canalure is .050" wide.

The Sierra measures like your Talon except for OAL; that measures .740".

Now, if it were me, I would see if I could find some data for the Sierra and go from the bottom of that data for the Talon. Just me though.

Also, I would use W296/H110 to drive them. Of the powders you mention I have had the most experience with it. Mainly because I like the way it meters over the other magnum powders you have on hand. Just me though.

Hope this helps. If worse comes to worse, call Hodgdon or Alliant and ask them for a load. I'm sure with the measurements you have provided here, they will be able to get you pretty close.

Have fun, be safe!

440turner · Oct 31, 2010

I know that the components were available to the public in the early 90's, I thought someone that has been reloading for awhile might remember having dealt with them back in the day. I never thought about contacting a powder mfg. company and just asking them, that may be my best bet, thanks for the reply. I do have lots of diff. bullets to compare them to, although after dealing with the new Hornady lever-evolution ammo and its relatively smaller powder charge compared with similar weight bullets im a bit cautious about filling them with a hefty load of a like bullet.

yellowf4 · Nov 2, 2010

I was given several hundred of these by our rep many years ago and concure with the 4227 and H110 powder. I have a 6.5" 629 classic that loves 23.2gr of H110 and 23.4 of 4227. Both shoot 1/2" at 25yds. I can't find the velocity data for the load but it was shot at 4800' elevation in 80 degrees with Nevada no humidity conditions.

440turner · Nov 2, 2010

thanks for the reply, I have been using 23.0 grns of 4227 and 296 with the 240gr speer GDHP's and the XTP's and they shoot great, so im not suprised to hear your load data. Did you use magnum primers with the 4227? I used the standard (non-magnum primers) in my last batch and found lots of unburnt powder on my shooting bench. A member here said he stepped up to the magnum primers (cci350's instead of the 300's) and that solved his unburnt powder issues.

yellowf4 · Nov 2, 2010

Oops, guess I forgot a farily important component detail, didn't I? Sorry, am a window licker at best most days!

I used Winchester cases with Winchester Large Magnum Pistol primers. OAL is 1.600" and I did find the velocity was avg 1463fps. I use mag primers in all 44 loads, even specials. If you are new to loading, buy yourself a chronograph and load ammo with standard and with mag primers and see how it affects both accuracy and velocity. You should also use mag with full cases as the hotter primers ensure consistant ignition and will (as you found) burn all the powder.

I never did anything other than play with the load so don't have details on how it does for hunting/defense but I have used 40S&W black talon in self defense on 2 human targets and as a result, carry nothing but the Ranger (new name and color, same bullet & performance) loads in all self defense guns now.

I hope some of this helps,

rburg · Nov 2, 2010

Are you sure they're 250 gr? The loaded black Talons I have (factory loads) were all 240 gr. I'm not doubting you, I just haven't seen that weight in 44s. Have you actually weighed them on scale, just to be sure?

440turner · Nov 2, 2010

I actually weighed them and they were 251grns, I have a factory tag that also states 250 grn.

Winchester Black Talon 250gr. 44 Mag. bullet load data

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