Loads for 20/28 in 357 and 45?

[schloss]

I'm looking for starting loads in 357, 45 colt and 45 acp. I've found a little bit of information at a few other websites, but not as much as I'd like.

Share what you've got, or pm me with links if you can't post them here.

We've got a serious powder and ammo shortage up here, so I'm just looking for something to shoot. I won't be trying to bring out crazy velocities. Just something that's fun to shoot, maybe something that would be useful for caribou or blacktail.

Planning to use cast bullets. Have not chosen a weight yet. I'll be shooting through a GP-100 and NM blackhawks, with short barrels (4, 4-5/8, 5-1/2).

 

[Nowata]

Loadswap.com has lot's of stuff, from mild to wild.

 

[schloss]

Hadn't seen loadswap.com before. Thanks for the link. I dug around for a while, but didn't come up with anything for 20/28. Could be in there, will have to keep looking.

 

[WESHOOT2]

What is "20/28"?

 

[greenmtnguy]

I'm thinking that it is the somewhat newer powder from Alliant for smaller gauge shotgun shells (20, 28 gauge).
Maybe it is similar to LilGun?

I've never used it before nor do I know anyone who does in my area.

 

[Cholo]

What is "20/28"?

It's an Alliant Powder. I did have to look it up though :wink:

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Yep, Shotgun Powder. I could find no load data for use in handgun cartridges.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/20_28.aspx

 

[schloss]

It's very close to Unique. Intended for use in 20 and 28 gauge shotguns.

Alliant is supposedly not testing it in handguns at this time. I fortunately was just able to pick up a pound of Lil Gun and a pound of no.9 just a few minutes ago, so will be using them until I can collect enough information to start doing anything with 20/28. There's a good chance that I'll just be saving it for some 20ga work. I know people are using it in handguns, just don't want to if I don't have to. I'm sorry. My reloading and shooting is an addiction. I need help.

We were getting no powder up here for months at a time. The ammo shelves are still empty, and I haven't found anyone that can ship powder up here. Tough times for those of us that need to re-stock on components. Still haven't been able to locate any primers or 22lr ammo.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Accurate's data for AA9 is superb.
AA9 in 357 Magnum can be superb.

 

[96/44]

I called Alliant a while back asking the same question. The tech there told me they had hoped to market 20/28 for handguns, but they got strange pressure spikes at low temperatures during their testing.

 

[308 Scout]

I've done quite a bit of testing of 20/28. It's very, very similar in burning rate to Unique, meters much better as its flakes are a little smaller than those of Unique, and is cleaner burning. I absolutely love the powder and it will probably replace Unique on my loading bench.

Here are some loads from my .44 Special that I posted on another forum:

Powder........Charge............Bullet............ ..Velocity......... Extreme Spread

20/28________ 6.5______260 gr. SWC (a)_____892__________Unknown (2.7% vel. difference)
Unique________6.5______260 gr. SWC (a)_____868__________Unknown

20/28_________7.5______260 gr. SWC (a)_____981____________24 (2.5% vel. difference)
Unique________7.5______260 gr. SWC (a)_____957____________20

20/28_________6.5______260 gr. SWC (b)_____863____________28 (3% vel. difference)
Unique________6.5______260 gr. SWC (b)_____837____________44

20/28_________7.5______260 gr. SWC (b)_____946____________30 (3% vel. difference)
Unique________7.5______260 gr. SWC (b)_____919____________57

20/28_________8.0______260 gr. SWC (b)_____994____________58 (2.7% vel. difference)
Unique________8.0______260 gr. SWC (b)_____967_____________25

Bullets: (a)- NOE 429421 .430" ACWW; (b) RCBS 44-250KT .430" ACWW Both lubed with Ceresin Scarlet.

A single load I tested in my Colt Gov't Model, Series 70 45 ACP. The bullet was from a SAECO #130 mould, of ACWW. Weighed 200 grs., sized ,.452", and lubed with a homemade soft lube.

Powder.........Charge............ Bullet.......... Velocity.......Extreme Spread

20/28_________6.5_______200 gr. SWC_____1020____________46 (VERY accurate load) (1.1% vel. difference)
Unique________6.5_______200 gr. SWC_____1009____________45

I also tested 20/28 in a .38 Special and again it gave velocities very similar to Unique. I hope to post those load results one day.

The bent of my post was to try "non" standard powders in handgun cartridges so I also tried Alliant e3. It's very fast burning powder, even more so than Bullseye, so it would work with light loads. This time out of my Uberti 4 3/4" .44 Special:


Powder........Charge............ Bullet..........Velocity

Red Dot_______4.0______ 170 gr. RNFP_____612 (12.8% vel. difference)
e3___________ 4.0______ 170 gr. RNFP_____702

Red Dot_______4.7______ 250 gr. SWC______689 (A little over 9% vel. difference)
e 3___________4.7______ 250 gr. SWC______764

Bullseye_______5.5_______250 gr. SWC______810 (6.625% vel. difference)
e 3___________5.5_______250 gr. SWC______864

I also picked up a pound of Alliant Pro Reach. It's very close to Blue Dot on the burn rate chart, so I'd hoped it be an alternative to Blue Dot. WRONG! It's probably much closer in burn rate to Herco although I haven't had time to do any direct comparison. I tested it in a .357 Magnum and with identical charges of Blue Dot and Pro Reach, the latter gave MUCH higher velocities.

308S

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

Here's a thread with some .357 chrony data comparing 20/28 to Unique:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?97667-Alliant-20-28-in-pistols

 

[schloss]

Good information. I will be saving it for a rainy day. I can get by for now.

Would be good if someone out there could test for actual pressure. Might be out of luck for now, but I'll keep it in mind.

 

[Rclark]

Thanks for posting this info.... I see 20/28 on shelf (one of the few these days), but didn't have any data for my revolver calibers.... Another powder to try .

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

I bought a pound of 20/28 to play w/ before the current "crunch" came along, but haven't gotten it out yet. It seems somewhat more limited even for 20 ga. loads than I expected, so dunno if it will prove as versatile as some of the "old timers" like Unique. That may be one of the reasons it's still available on a lot of shelves? Hope you guys have good luck using it in "off label" recipes!

Rick C