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Post by strider on Apr 22, 2016 12:17:40 GMT -5
Just tried out my Hankins Apex conversion for the first time the other day. I'm very impressed and very happy with its performance. I was shooting 200gr xtp and sst with harvester blue sabots with H4198 charges of 55, 56, and 57 grains. The 56 gr loads seemed to shoot the best- very mild recoil and good MOA groups at 100 and 200 yards.
I was wondering if anyone shot this load and had the chance to cronograph it. Oh, btw, drop between 100 and 200 yards was about 4 3/4".
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Post by backwoods on Apr 22, 2016 15:37:45 GMT -5
I use the same load out of my Encore conversion and get 2450 to 2500 fps.
200gr SST blue sabot and 56 great H4198.
Tried charges from 54 to 60 and 56 was the best for me..
Good luck and good shooting.
Backwoods
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Post by strider on Apr 22, 2016 16:09:50 GMT -5
Thanks Backwoods, 2450 was the vel. I put into hornady's ballistic calculator. The .40 cal. sst is very impressive ballistically! I'm anxious to try it out on game.
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Post by backwoods on Apr 23, 2016 5:31:04 GMT -5
Yes it is impressive, you should be equally impressed on game. It will surprise you what that little bullet can do.
Last hunting season was my first with a smokeless, and I don't think I can ever go back to black powder or substitutes.
Between my hunting partner and I we harvested four deer last year with that bullet and we're real happy with the results.
We hunt central and western Va, so shots are not that long and deer are not that big, but it works good for us.
Good luck
Backwoods
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Post by Yankee Bill on Apr 23, 2016 7:37:42 GMT -5
Just tried out my Hankins Apex conversion for the first time the other day. I'm very impressed and very happy with its performance. I was shooting 200gr xtp and sst with harvester blue sabots with H4198 charges of 55, 56, and 57 grains. The 56 gr loads seemed to shoot the best- very mild recoil and good MOA groups at 100 and 200 yards. I was wondering if anyone shot this load and had the chance to cronograph it. Oh, btw, drop between 100 and 200 yards was about 4 3/4". Congrats strider, glad to see the gun is working out well for you.
I had the same experience with the Apex Jeff converted for me, and I couldn't be happier. hanksmessageboard.freeforums.net/thread/934/woods-assassin-finally-gets-range
I can't weigh in on the velocity of your load as I've only shot mine with N-110 so far, but with all the H4198 shooters we have here I'm sure someone will be able to give you some feedback.
Probably not much help, but just for reference, using the same bullets and sabots as you with 32 gr. of N-110 gives me approx. 2200-2300 fps with my Apex Conversion.
Good luck with your gun .... you're gonna love it!
YB
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Post by Yankee Bill on Apr 23, 2016 7:40:57 GMT -5
I use the same load out of my Encore conversion and get 2450 to 2500 fps. 200gr SST blue sabot and 56 great H4198. Tried charges from 54 to 60 and 56 was the best for me.. Good luck and good shooting. Backwoods Looks like I was typing as backwoods was posting. See, that didn't take long 
YB
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Post by Yankee Bill on Apr 23, 2016 7:50:42 GMT -5
Yes it is impressive, you should be equally impressed on game. It will surprise you what that little bullet can do. Last hunting season was my first with a smokeless, and I don't think I can ever go back to black powder or substitutes. Between my hunting partner and I we harvested four deer last year with that bullet and we're real happy with the results. We hunt central and western Va, so shots are not that long and deer are not that big, but it works good for us. Good luck Backwoods Hi backwoods,
Good to see another Virginian here .... Welcome
What counties do you hunt? I hunt in Franklin and Henry counties, Martinsville / Axton areas mostly.
This will be my first year using 200 SST's in a .45 SML as well (been using a .50 SML for a long time though) and I'm excited to try them on deer.
YB
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Post by backwoods on Apr 23, 2016 8:10:09 GMT -5
Well, I hunt a little all over the place..lol
I live in Botetourt, hunt in Franklin and Floyd Co mostly.
Last season hunted a little in Pulaski co, that wasn't to bad.
I'm originally from Dickenson co, on the KY border so I hunt down there some as well.
Like I said just all over..
Maybe we will run into each other sometime.
Backwoods
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Post by Yankee Bill on Apr 23, 2016 9:00:48 GMT -5
Well, I hunt a little all over the place..lol I live in Botetourt, hunt in Franklin and Floyd Co mostly. Last season hunted a little in Pulaski co, that wasn't to bad. I'm originally from Dickenson co, on the KY border so I hunt down there some as well. Like I said just all over.. Maybe we will run into each other sometime. Backwoods I don't want to keep Jacking this thread so I'm gonna shoot you a PM.
YB
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Post by strider on Apr 24, 2016 8:34:45 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses guys! I have noticed that the 200 gr .40 cal xtp group a little tighter than the SST's (at least at 100 & 200 yds). The base of the xtp seems to be a little flatter and the sst more rounded. Would that make a difference in consistency? Anyone try a veggie wad between powder and sabot?
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Post by Yankee Bill on Apr 24, 2016 9:16:24 GMT -5
Strider,
Your results of the 200 XTP grouping more accurately than the 200 SST are consistent with what many report.
What size groups are you getting now with 200 SST's @ 100 yds.?
Have you tried knurling the SST's?
My Apex prefers SST's not being knurled, but quite a few folks are getting increased accuracy by knurling them for their guns.
I can't comment on using a veggie wad between sabot and powder as I've never done it, but I know others here have, not sure if it was with this particular load though. Hopefully they will be able give you some insight on that.
YB
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Post by strider on Apr 24, 2016 12:26:20 GMT -5
Strider, Your results of the 200 XTP grouping more accurately than the 200 SST are consistent with what many report. What size groups are you getting now with 200 SST's @ 100 yds.? Have you tried knurling the SST's? My Apex prefers SST's not being knurled, but quite a few folks are getting increased accuracy by knurling them for their guns. I can't comment on using a veggie wad between sabot and powder as I've never done it, but I know others here have, not sure if it was with this particular load though. Hopefully they will be able give you some insight on that. YB YB, I've been getting groups averaging around 11/4 with the sst which is a good 1/4 inch more than with the xtp. It may not seem like much, but the reality is that most of the variation comes from one shot going off the mark or flyer. I may try knurling. I haven't yet because they are a fairly tight fit as it is without knurling. But I will give it a try just the same. Thanks. |
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Post by Hank on Apr 24, 2016 12:40:55 GMT -5
We shot my Apex this weekend a few times at the challenge and we chronograph one load of 56 grains IMR 4198 and a 275 grain BE.. The velocity was 2450 something....
I had it sites in dead on at 100 yards and Richard rung the 8 inch steel at 200 yards and shot it free hand...he said all he did was hold a few inches high...
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Post by Yankee Bill on Apr 24, 2016 12:57:07 GMT -5
Provided you are allowing sufficient time for the barrel to cool between shots, and still do not get better results by knurling the SST's, another option would by trying a different powder, if you are not opposed to that.
I've only had my Apex Conversion to the range one time so far as well, and the only powder I've tried with it is N-110. But using 32 gr. of N-110 with your same SST/sabot combo it has the potential for 1 ragged hole groups @ 100 yds. Just some more food for thought.
All guns are different of course, but I'd bet yours has the same potential, it's just a matter of figuring out what it likes.
YB
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Post by strider on Apr 24, 2016 14:16:15 GMT -5
I'm more than happy with the results as they are as 95%+ of my shots while hunting will be under 75 yds. There is only one field I hunt once in a while where I can shoot to 400 yds. I chose to use h4198 because it is supposed to be fairly temp. stable and with Hankins ignition system, I don't have to worry about misfires.
We get wide temperature swings in the fall here in Quebec and Ontario with temps often in the minus teens during late season. So I guess it's just a matter of getting it to shoot at it's full potential. It's a fun challenge!
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Post by Yankee Bill on Apr 24, 2016 18:22:45 GMT -5
I may be mistaken, but I believe N-110 might be even more temp stable than H4198, but don't quote me on that. Richard, or some of the other more seasoned members we have here would be able to tell you for sure though.
But, if you're happy with the results you're already getting with the H4198 as you say, that's all that really matters. Playing around and trying to tweek your load a bit more will be more quality time spent at the range, and icing on the cake if you can tighten your groups up some. Don't see any downside to that.
Good luck, and keep us posted on how things come along.
YB
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Post by strider on Apr 24, 2016 19:27:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the encouragement and support! I'll be sure to let you know if I get things worked out. Hoping to get a buddy with a chronograph come out with me next time. Thanks again!
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