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Ammo questions

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2018 8:04 am
by Kujones
Just out of curiosity.....

CCI makes a .22 magnum load that breaks into 3 pieces upon impact. Would this hold together enough to knock down a ram?

Also, what .357 magnums loads are folks using?

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2018 9:29 pm
by frankmako
On the 22 mag ammo I don't think it would hold up good on the rams. That is my area were 22 mag rings rams at two different clubs. The only way to know is to try it.

I use titegroup and a zero 158 hp bullet in my 357 mag rifle.

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 4:01 am
by ppkny
Here's a load I've been using in my 357 Rossi 24"barrel lever gun with good accuracy and knock down.
c-p-t 125gr Rainer Lead Safe RN 12gr IMR4227
r- 150gr Rainer Lead Safe RN 7.5gr Unique
ppkny

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 9:03 am
by Ken Green
I don't think the 22mag round will work. It is designed to break up. It will not transfer enough energy to the ram target to be effective.

I my 357 Henry, I am using 5.5 grains of Power Pistol with a 125 grain Hornady XTP. I also have some 125 grain lead Magnus bullets with the same powder charge that seem to work just as good.

The same 125 grain load in .357 magnum will take down the full size chickens and turkeys, but it is not 100% on the pigs. A 158 grain or 180 grain will work for the pigs. I have a 200 grain Magnus lead bullet with 9.0 grains of 2400 powdet that seems to work on the big rams, but I need to do more testing.

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 11:34 am
by ppkny
kujones,
If you're just getting started in this game save yourself a lot of aggravation:
22LR for SB Lever Action
357 for PC Lever Action
30-30 for Big Bore Lever Action
Trying to shoot PC with a 22 mag is not worth it. You'll be chasing ammo,and lose pigs and rams at some clubs. Trying to shoot big bore with a 357 is also not worth it. Think of trying to get the bullet to do a rainbow curve just to get to the rams. I've tried them all ways, trust me, bring enough gun to do the job and than some.
ppkny

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 12:05 pm
by Ken Green
Ppkny: I just picked up a Winchester model 94 (Centennial 66) 26" octagon barrel in 30-30. I found it in the gun library at Cabela's in Gonzales, La. It is unfired NIB with the cardboard sleeve that goes over the box. I still have to get the front and rear sights.

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 2:44 pm
by Kujones
I've been shooting rimfire silhouette for a couple of years and have put off lever action knowing where it would lead. I fell into my first match last Sunday and am REALLY thinking about it. I didn't think the CCI load would be sufficient for Rams but it's fun to ask.

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 8:36 pm
by Another Dang 9
Everyone trys the .22 Mag route before throwing their hands up in defeat. There is no magic bullet for the .22 mag but have fun trying.

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 9:35 pm
by edgehit
There’s plenty of competitors shooting the 22 mag including national champion and top ranking masters. Buy some CCI TMJ and shoot c-t, and use Hornady Critical defense for rams. YMMV.

I’ve enjoyed more success than frustration with it. Shoots flat, little recoil, accurate, and no reloading.

I’ve never rang a well maintained, regulation abiding ram target. There are people posting who claim they ring a lot. There are clubs, like OKC that can’t be shot with 22 wmr. For those, pack your favorite centerfire PC with a case full of powder and dish out some punishment!

The downside to the cartridge is ammunition consistency from lot to lot. And the stuff completely disappeared from 2008 to 2016.

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 9:54 pm
by CamP
Then for the adventurous, one can reload the 22 mag with 45 grain Hornet bullets for rams.

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 9:07 am
by ppkny
This game, either SB-HP-or Lever gun has always been about eliminating as many variables as possible so the least amount of error is introduced into the final objective...knock down the target. Why not just use the right gun for the right job rather than hope that the animal placement is correct.
ppkny

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 1:25 pm
by edgehit
Ken Green wrote: Wed Dec 26, 2018 9:03 am
....The same 125 grain load in .357 magnum will take down the full size chickens and turkeys, but it is not 100% on the pigs. A 158 grain or 180 grain will work for the pigs.
Ken,
Where are these bad @ss pigs? My diminutive 25-20 takes full size pigs at 100m using 75g every time I’ve tried it.

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 3:34 pm
by Ken Green
edgehit wrote: Thu Dec 27, 2018 1:25 pm
Ken Green wrote: Wed Dec 26, 2018 9:03 am
....The same 125 grain load in .357 magnum will take down the full size chickens and turkeys, but it is not 100% on the pigs. A 158 grain or 180 grain will work for the pigs.
Ken,
Where are these bad @ss pigs? My diminutive 25-20 takes full size pigs at 100m using 75g every time I’ve tried it.
That pig :@) was at the 2018 Louisiana State lever gun match earlier this month in Gonzales, Louisiana. A solid center shoulder hit with a 125 grain lead bullet with 5.5 grains of Power Pistol. It just stood there. I believe it was thinking "is that all you got" :ymdevil:... I had some 200 grain lead magnus bullets loaded with 9.0 grains of 2400 powder (for the rams) that I could have sent. I know it would have went down then.

After that match was over, I went and bought a Winchester 94 in 30-30. I got enough gun now! I will get even with him next year :ymdevil: ..

Re: Ammo questions

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 4:50 pm
by edgehit
Dustin leveled them with chewing gum :-?