300gr. shoot super high in S&W PC V-Comp 5"?

[kingston]

Can anyone explain why 300+ grain bullets shoot much higher than 240gr out of my 44Mag? All are factory loads.

 

[Bryan Litz Ballistics]

My guess is it has to do with the barrel/gun motion during recoil before the bullet leaves.

One possible scenario; imagine the barrel recoiling up as the bullet travels down the barrel. If the 300 grain bullet is slower, it takes longer to get out the barrel, and the barrel will be rotated to a higher angle by the time it's released.

Or it's something else ;D

-Bryan

 

[swd]

One of the best big bore pistol smiths in the country is a very good friend. That phenomenon is very common in heavy recoiling pistols. He calls it transitional recoil and Bryan is correct, the muzzle is pointing higher before the bullet makes it out of the barrel.

 

[kingston]

Thank you both. I'm glad to learn that there's an explanation.

Thanks again!

 

[GotRDid]

...and conversely, 200 and 180 gr bullets at higher velocity for similar pressures will strike lower with same sight settings as your 240gr zero.
That was the hardest thing to try to convey to Cadets I taught during Firearms week at the Academy.
GotRDid.

 

[Chandra 45]

My 500 S&W with the 8 3/8" sighted in at 50 yds. using the 350 gr. XTP is dead on. When we load up the 700 gr. hardcast the impact strikes anywhere from 6" to 8" higher depending on the shooter. The 350 gr. XTP chronographs at 1650 fps nominal and the 700 gr. at 1179 fps. Our company has been loading for the 500 S&W since 2004 and the heavy slugs (at lower velocities) always react this way. When shooting the Colt Single Action Army in Colt 45 rather than file the front sight going to a heavy slug (285 grs.) always tuned it right to where we wanted it at 50 yds. All of the previous posts are right on the money.