Anyone using the Hornady 240gr conical?

[Zzmudd58]

Just curious if anyone has tried out the 240gr conical from Hornady. Was thinking of trying a lighter slug for a little flatter trajectory. I currently shoot the 320gr maxi ball.

 

[dragnetbill]

I don't believe that you will acheive your goal; if you are talking about Hornady's .50 "ball-et" conical, it is shaped like a round ball up front and is designed for twist rate of 1/66". It would probably give you similar performance to a round ball.
That having been said, I have not tried them and am willing to be shown to be wrong.

 

[amcmullen]

I don't believe that you will acheive your goal; if you are talking about Hornady's .50 "ball-et" conical, it is shaped like a round ball up front and is designed for twist rate of 1/66". It would probably give you similar performance to a round ball.
That having been said, I have not tried them and am willing to be shown to be wrong.

Agree, I've tried them. They were not as accurate as my roundball load. That said,, they were getting 2-3 inch groups at 50yds (bench rest) They'll definitely be flatter than the heavier conical.

 

[Zzmudd58]

I think I might give them a shot! I use the maxi for hunting and am happy with the groupings out to 80yrds. Was just wanting to see about paper punching out to 150 or 200. Just to see what it's (im) capable of. 7" plate is my target. Honestly, I've never used a PRB as I've always been happy with the maxi's. I will be trying them also just to see how they work out.

 

[PastorB]

I've used them for years, or pretty much so, as I have a lifetime stash of Buffalo Ball-ets that are identical to the Hornady Conical. They shoot great in my guns, hitting the same POI as PRB's in my rifles. I like them, easy to load and a little more downrange punch then a round ball, not that I feel that is necessary. Velocity wise, they are a little slower than a round ball, and a little faster than a heavy conical. Don't know how much change in trajectory you will see, they start off faster, but because of their light weight, they also slow down quicker. I have actually shot them over a chrono at 100 yards, and whatever fps advantage they have over a heavier conical is negated at longer range. I do like the lighter recoil over a heavy conical however.

 

[amcmullen]

I think I might give them a shot! I use the maxi for hunting and am happy with the groupings out to 80yrds. Was just wanting to see about paper punching out to 150 or 200. Just to see what it's (im) capable of. 7" plate is my target. Honestly, I've never used a PRB as I've always been happy with the maxi's. I will be trying them also just to see how they work out.

Can't go wrong giving them a shot! I wouldn't hesitate using them hunting, I just like the accuracy I've gotten with prb's now that I have a great load. If you like to tinker then playing with patch thicknesses can be fun.

Now that I said that out loud, I think someone on here does the same thing with conicals using cigarette paper...that might be interesting at 150-200

 

[amcmullen]

Can't go wrong giving them a shot! I wouldn't hesitate using them hunting, I just like the accuracy I've gotten with prb's now that I have a great load. If you like to tinker then playing with patch thicknesses can be fun.

Now that I said that out loud, I think someone on here does the same thing with conicals using cigarette paper...that might be interesting at 150-200

Not posting this to brag, but to show that round balls can be pretty accurate. This was at 100yds with a patched round ball. This wasn't even my best load combination. Someone left a brand new 24" target at the 100yard range and I said "why not". The bullseye is 3"

 

[longcruise]

Just curious if anyone has tried out the 240gr conical from Hornady. Was thinking of trying a lighter slug for a little flatter trajectory. I currently shoot the 320gr maxi ball.

Probably won't see much difference trajectory wise. Accuracy? Who knows? Probably worth the journey no matter the results.

I have some unused so far for grand kids to use to upgrade 50 cal to elk rifles if they are so inclined. (Meets local regs)