Fine tuning a 327 load

[Kevin]

Ok right now I have gotten a nice 357 load it seems to be pretty accurate.

I'm having trouble with the 327 load though. It just seems to be all over the target. It isn't grouping the best.

How do I "fine tune" the load to be more accurate? The load is: small pistol mag primer. (CCI 550) and 10 grain.s of H110 with an 85 grain bullet.

Do I just change one variable at a time?

As I said the accuracy is close, however in 6 shots there will be a 5 inch spread generally in the black at 25 yards (SP101 with a 3 inch barrel. I guess I just feel it could be better.

 

[Kevin]

The spread might be closer to 7 or 8 inches, I haven't measured.

But also in general what is the best method to improve accuracy through handloading.

 

[Cheesewhiz]

I've never loaded .327 but I have done some .32 H&R for friends. If you are looking for an accuracy load, I would go with a faster powder like 231 for that shorter barrel. WSF might be the ticket or even some Autocomp for a bit more velocity along with very nice accuracy and those are both very complete clean burners as a bonus.

Added note: have you slugged the barrel?

 

[contender]

Only work with one change at a time.
The easiest is the powder. Select a powder, load from mild to wild, & find the best load. Try a different powder,, again,,, from mild to wild, & find the best. Then a simple switch of primers using the selected loads can help. Lastly, a change of bullets may make the difference. Use the original powder charges as a starting place. (Start 10% under & work up.)

 

[Kevin]

Thanks. Those are both some good places to start.

What would slugging the barrel tell me? I do have some different powder to try and also so.e 100 grain bullets. Perhaps a hotter load too.

 

[eric conrad]

Kevin, lots of loads here. Take a look.
www.reloadammo.com
Eric

 

[VA Shooter]

231and Green Dot are my go to powders in my GP 100 327 115 gr home cast boolit

 

[Cheesewhiz]

Thanks. Those are both some good places to start.

What would slugging the barrel tell me? I do have some different powder to try and also so.e 100 grain bullets. Perhaps a hotter load too.

If for some reason you can't get any load to work, no matter how hard you try, it could be a mechanical issue. Most barrels made on modern machinery these days are consistent in their bores but it does pop up as a possible issue if all else fails.

 

[Kevin]

Well, it looks like I should go to the gun store and try some new powder. I do know this one little gunshop, out of the way stocked with all sorts of powder. Of course the last time I was there, I left and promptly got a ticket from the local police guarding the stop sign...

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Have you tried any factory ammo and had any luck with that? I very often shoot some Federal to get an idea what to expect when reloading because they have spent considerable time and money developing their loads for the majority of guns out there. ...and besides I like their brass.

 

[dougader]

You really don't want to load too light with a ball/spherical powder like H110/W296. IMO, you need to increase that load to seek better accuracy.

That said, I do believe you'll see better accuracy with that 85 grain bullet and a medium burn rate powder like Unique, Universal, WSF, Silhouette, Power Pistol, etc.

With your 100 grain bullets you can load the same med burn rate powders, but also the H110. Check the max loads and reduce no more than 10% with this powder. Speer suggests using small rifle primers if you go to max pressure loads (45,000 psi) in the 327 Federal.

http://www.speer-bullets.com/pdf/327_Federal_100gr3990_DataFile_Final.pdf

http://www.speer-bullets.com/pdf/327_Federal_Magnum_GDHP_115gr_3988_DataFile.pdf

 

[Kevin]

Jimbo:
You know, I did try some factory ammo, it does shoot a little better. The box was Federal 85 grain. I'll try some 100 grain bullets. I'm going to the range tomorrow, so I'll make a conscience effort to pay more attention to the various factors.