.357 Powder Test Results 2

[doc540]

I'll do a cylinder check of the flyers, hopefully, tomorrow.

50 yd steel silhouette project

Today's results with both Unique and Win231.

It appears the Win231 is most accurate when pushed to +6 grains.

Hope this helps someone.

The half-asked rest:

Unique Powder at 50 yds

Win231 at 50 yds

 

[mattsbox99]

I think I'd go .1 grain at a time from 5.5 to 6.0 with the W231. Hodgdon says 5.0 grains is giving 1100+ FPS and that is faster than I would push a lead bullet for target work.

 

[GP100man]

What boolit ya using ???

 

[doc540]

Missouri Bullets 158 grn SWC
Brinell 12

thanks

 

[doc540]

Moved in to 25yds for the cylinder test. 4.5" target

Also shot a few at 50yds with 6.4gr of Win231.

Most important thing I've learned about reload accuracy with the Model 686:
158gr LSWC's like to be pushed more than they like powder puff loads.

APPEARS to me that none of the cylinders are way out of whack.

What does the test tell you?

 

[john123456]

ive been trying to come up with a 231 load 158gr lswc for the 8 3/8 s&w 27-2 ive tried 5.0 with wsp primerand 6.4 with a wspm primer. they both made nice groups at 25 yards but for some reason at 50 the 6.4 still held a nice group but the 5.0 spread all over the place like 6-7 inch groups . so for me the above 6 has worked better also it held about 2 at 50 . doubt this was all that helpful but just sharing

 

[doc540]

ive been trying to come up with a 231 load 158gr lswc for the 8 3/8 s&w 27-2 ive tried 5.0 with wsp primerand 6.4 with a wspm primer. they both made nice groups at 25 yards but for some reason at 50 the 6.4 still held a nice group but the 5.0 spread all over the place like 6-7 inch groups . so for me the above 6 has worked better also it held about 2 at 50 . doubt this was all that helpful but just sharing

Thanks for the input, really.

6.0 has given me my best 50yd groups to date with 158 SWC's.

Got some new Starline .357 brass, so I'm going to carefully load some more 6.0 Win231 and test it at 50 with the 158 SWC's.

Stay tuned!

 

[doc540]

Reloaded with my new, Starline brass.

I think my load is set for silhouette matches at 50yds.

Now it's up to me to shoot more accurately.

4.5" target from a rest:

 

[GP100man]

Doc ,looks as if ya have your problem solved .

I get my best shooting from new Starline brass & mid range pressures also.

I feel ya flyers in the first test (since ya changed brass) could`ve been from the work hardened brass distorting the base of the 12 bhn boolits . If ya have any left from the previous loadings pull a boolit & mic it , then try 1 from the new brass to compare .

While I like 231 it`s too fast for serious mag loadings & I understand your going for a power factor.
For lead I`m slowly weaning off the fast burners & going to mid speed powders such as H-6 or clays UNIVERSAL.

Anyways ,ya got 231 workin for ya load ,be sure to inspect the bases of the boolits & that the lube groove is full.

Happy Shooting & Be Safe !!

Mery Christmas !!

GP