The secret of "light" magnums...

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icedog

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So who knows the secret of light magnums, and can share it with those of us who are in the dark? Do they use special powders not available to us commoners? There are not likely many among us who would not like to stay within pressure limits and be able to up the velocities of projectiles from our favorite boom sticks by a few hundred fps.
 
Not only special powders, but also special methods of charging the cases. Ever dump out the powder from a light mag and then try to get it back in the case? Interesting to say the least. Regards, Eagleye.
 
Eagleye said:
Not only special powders, but also special methods of charging the cases. Ever dump out the powder from a light mag and then try to get it back in the case? Interesting to say the least. Regards, Eagleye.
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I would assume that special powder and special methods are behind their heavy mags as well. That said, I wonder why there is no attempt so far to use the special powders and special methods to juice up the WSMs? or are the co.s loading these rounds allready using these methods? Hornady seems to be in the businss as of late of faster is better and had introduce new rounds as well as improved the old.
 
light mags

I have tryed a few powders in my, 7mmwsm 24" Rem 700 custom Hart barrel
wxr,& 4350 not great, accuracy H4831sc, best hunting load Magpro best velocity with least pressure.
 
I remember reading an article on Hornady lighyt mag and Fed Hi-energy. The chronos were not near velocities claimed. Like 90-125 fps less.

I would say the secret is MARKETING.
 
I don't know, but I've been told.... the way they get all of that powder in that case, is by loading the powder and seating the bullet in a vacuum.
 
Jimbo69 said:
I remember reading an article on Hornady lighyt mag and Fed Hi-energy. The chronos were not near velocities claimed. Like 90-125 fps less.

I would say the secret is MARKETING.
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Hey you may be right! Another thought! I have often supected that they have taken advantage of the fact that many standard loads and older magnum loads may been loaded a little light for various reasons and they have seized the oportunity to take up the slack which they marketed as light magnum or high energy etc. I tried some Hornady L Mag in my .280 and even though I didn.t chrono em, they felt like my handlaods, which have quite a bit more snap than factory 280s.
 
Levi Garrett said:
Please be more clear on what your talking about, light magnum, as in rifle?, or reduced charge?, or cartridge design? :confused:
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That's the Hornady Light magnum line of cartridges they are talking aboutn Levi.
243, 308, 30/06 to name a few .
These cartridges are preetty high pressure from what I can figure, and will sometimes lock up a weaker bolt action, break action, pump, etc.
Hornady has a disclaimer on their boxes about using them in these firearms.

Never liked them, tested a box in one of my 308's and although the velocity was higher
( about 30- 75FPS) the groups were AWFULL!!:puke:

I originally bought the stuff to see what all the hype was about, as a few of my friends said it was incredible.
They shoot their deer at about 50-150 yards, do no testing at the range, and are not capable of shooting under 1MOA, so I figured I'd run the stuff through its paces in one of my match rifles and chronograph just to see.

ES was crappy too.....
Cat
 
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30-75fps...............................................................
Wow that's really is gonna gain you much in practical on critter performance.
Did I mention I have some ocean front property in Saskatchewan for sale.
 
Man oh man is this thread full of speculation and outright :bsFlag:
Hornady has successfully kept a very tight lid on the proccess.
Lots of speculation, here's some I've heard:
Vaccumm, spinning cases, vibrators, high velocity drop tubes, compression tampers, special powders, acts of God.
I guess when they are ready, we'll know.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Man oh man is this thread full of speculation and outright :bsFlag:
Hornady has successfully kept a very tight lid on the proccess.
Lots of speculation, here's some I've heard:
Vaccumm, spinning cases, vibrators, high velocity drop tubes, compression tampers, special powders, acts of God.
I guess when they are ready, we'll know.
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Well I can't see any reason the fella would lie, we talked for a long time on guns, and what we like to shoot, and thats what he said(pressure down , velocity up) :redface:
 
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so far the Light Magnum and the High Energy are the only loads that challenge handloading.

I used them both, in 308. I very much like the Federal's 180 NP... As for teh ornady one, even though I enjoy them, the SST being an accurate bullet and all.... I'd have a lot more use for them if they'd come with the Interlock instead.

The loads are definatelly compressed. Try shaking one next to your good ear... The price of the Federals are another matter....
 
I heard these were loaded up in the space station due to gravity issues on Earth (as well as some little known reloading regulations). There were several issues with the powders used and some fumes released by the secret squirrel process. Last update I got, one of the female powder pouring/tamping astronauts was in big trouble for wearing diapers and acting goofy. This was all due to unsafe reloading practices in space... Please stick to standard ammunition for your own good.

Troutseeker
 
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