Just acquired a nice CZ550, and looking for some load suggestions.
90.2GR IMR 4350 FED 215 PRIMERS, 2400 fps with any 400 gr bullet. I used Swifts-- Two dead buffalo. jorge
I like 400gr (mostly TSX) and H4831 (100-108 gr) and 215GM primers.
will give you from 2300-2400 fps range.
I heard RL22 is a good powder. For practice, I might try some Hornady RN and then go to TSX or Partitions for hunting.
I use pretty much the same charges for Hornadys.
I haven't used RL22, can't say much about it. You do want to fill the case and 4831/4350 do a decent job of it.
110grs. RL-25. 400gr. Nosler Partition, Norma case and Fed. cap gets 2,595 and 3 shots at an inch. Safe in my CZ...
101 grs. RL-22 and 400 gr. Hornady RN (old style) with B.E.L.L. cases, Fed. cap gets 2,400 and shoots just as well.
Has anyone used the new Nosler Solids?
100.0 Gr IMR 4831 350 Gr Speer Mag Tip 2700 fps from my gun
94.0 Gr IMR 4831 450 Gr Woodleigh Soft Point 2300 fps
I usually use 100 grains if Ramshot Magnum, because it "egulates" with the fixed express sights on my CZ. Muzzsle velocity with most 400-grain bullets is around 2300 fps.
Have shot the Nosler solids at targets but not on game yet. Plans to do that next year in Tanzania. They do well on paper and the design is good, so they should do fine on buffalo.
96grs H4831 lit by a 215 under the 400grs partition,300TSX and 350gr TSX. Mild to shoot and all bullets land in a 2" circle at 100 yards. For hotter loads I like 102.0grs of H4831 lit by a 215 primer under the Hornady solid or Nosler partition. 2450 and 2500fps. Safe in my #1 and shoots 1" groups with the solids landing in the same group with the parttions. reflex264
I used AA3100, 96 gr with both the 400 Mono Solid and 400 A-Frame for 2405 and 2480 respectively from a 24" Ruger. Worked great on Buff, Hippo and Croc.
Lately I've settled on either H4350 or RL19. 88/4350 will duplicate the original load with 410 Woodleighs. And 92/R19 does 2270 with the 450 Woodleigh.
Pete
101 gr H4831 SC and 350 X Bullets (not TSX) with Federal GM215M primers.
I just happened to have the GMs sitting around when I did load development. They give about 2500 FPS average (as chronied on Monday) in 22C temps.
The Speer 350gr might be a good bullet to try. It's reasonably priced.
Here's a "load suggestion", if you're heading for Africa one day, start now by loading your soft points in brass cases and your solids in nickel cases. That way there's little chance of getting them mixed up in the field. Solids, even of the same weight and style from the same manufacturer as your soft-points, need to be worked up separately, (i.e. back off to start). Once you settle on a good load, non-premium bullets worked up to a similar POI make for cheaper practise.
Incidetally, speaking of regulation, I replaced the front sight of my Ruger agnum with a larger white beat from NECG which is much easier to see/aquire. For the same reason I had a line of silver inlaid into my rear standing sight. Quick to pick up and doesn't tarnish.
400gr Barnes Banded solids and 400gr TSX's with enough H4350 to get to 2600fps if you want them to go that fast. I do and have. Recoil is a bit heavy but the load works well. Federal 215's and Norma Brass. In most rifles these two bullets will hit same POI or close enough. For Bears and Moose same same except 350TSX's at 2700. IIRC This took a bit over 100grains of H4350 in my rifle.
For a practice and varmint shooting load I like 40grs of AA5744 under a Barnes 300gr TSX. Great load for using your rifle a lot and retaining your retina's.