Powder Test Results - Advice?

[doc540]

recap: trying to find a heavier bullet for metal silhouettes that's as accurate as the Rem factory .38 +P 125gr SJC HP's.

Even factoring in my limited shooting skills and a low-budget rest, it doesn't appear to me that either of these two powders will work well with 158gr SWC's.

Back to the drawing board, I guess.

Setup

I'm open to any and all feedback.

 

[mattsbox99]

I found best accuracy with Alliant Herco, but if you want to keep working with Unique, I would keep working up. Sierra says the best accuracy was at 5.7 grains of Unique.

 

[doc540]

I found best accuracy with Alliant Herco, but if you want to keep working with Unique, I would keep working up. Sierra says the best accuracy was at 5.7 grains of Unique.

Is that a .38 +P or .357 load at 5.7 gr of Unique?

 

[okie44]

+P What bullet are you using, flat base, bevel base,hardness? Getting any leading?

 

[doc540]

+P What bullet are you using, flat base, bevel base,hardness? Getting any leading?

Missouri Bullets, bevel base, Brinell 12.

No barrel leading, just a little in the forcing cone.

After each range session regardless of ammo, I use the Lewis Lead kit, IOSSO bore paste, and Hoppe's #9.

 

[mattsbox99]

I would say +P, its listed in Sierra's 38 Special data and they don't have any notes on it being high pressure.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Have you thought about XTP bullets. They shoot very accurate for me and are reasonably priced.

 

[doc540]

Have you thought about XTP bullets. They shoot very accurate for me and are reasonably priced.

Yes, but I was trying to make what I had work since the bullets and powder came highly recommended by many reloaders.

 

[Rclark]

I don't shoot loads in .38 special cases, only .357 cases loaded 'down' to .38 special +P power. That said, looking at my load table for .357, I did not mark any loads using Unique or W231 as 'accurate'. Some loads using Red Dot, Universal, Bullseye, Green Dot, Blue Dot, 2400, and IMR 4227 are marked as 'accurate' under a 158g SWC. A Green Dot load is marked as very accurate at around 1071fps out of a 6 1/2" barrel.... YMMV of course but that has been my experience. You might just have to 'work up' a load that works in your gun. The heavier bullet will shoot higher of course than the 125s...

 

[Lee Martin]

Not sure how your gun will do but my 38's like 3.2 of Green Dot with a 160 - 170 grain quality case bullet.

 

[Cheesewhiz]

I don't reload .38's for myself but I help with a couple of guys that do. HP-38/231 is a great powder for short range .38 w/HBWC, not sure how it is at longer ranges. I would think a slower powder with that heavier bullet would be something to try. Power Pistol or AA#5 would be some of the ones I would look at. Not sure how much an over crimp would effect a .38 in a revolver but you could look at that also.

I do find this an interesting thread, so hang in there.

 

[okie44]

I have a Blackhawk that likes 158 gr bevel base with Clays Universal at +p levels. I also have a little Rossi .357 that shoots the 125 gr really good, but does not like the 158 gr cast at all. If your leading is limited to the forcing cone, I would say that the bullet is sealing good. Trimming cases all the same length? Good consistant crimp?

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

A buddy shot silhouettes for a while w/ a 686 (.357 Mag) using a Keith style bullet from a Lyman mold, straight wheel weights, being pushed by 2400. That powder CAN take a bit of testing to find the "sweet spot" but once you're there, it works great. His bullets ran about 162-165 gr, so you might find that's a powder to explore.

Rick C

 

[doc540]

Loaded some mild .357's last night. Speer 158 gr JSP's over 7.0 and 7.3 Unique

Hope to test them today.

Might must be the ticket.

 

[Cheesewhiz]

Wideners has a special on .357 125gr JSP, these are IMI (Israel). $62 for 500.

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100000344

IMI makes some very nice stuff.

 

[doc540]

Good news

The Speer 158 gr JSP's over 7.0 and 7.3 Unique did the deed.

Grouped well and seemed to have enough powder to knock down the rams.

Now I'll reload the same powder under the 158 gr SWC's and see how the 686 shoots'em.

Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[pbslinger]

I think you are bullet testing more than powder testing. Lead bullets are more complex to load than jacketed.

 

[doc540]

I think you are bullet testing more than powder testing. Lead bullets are more complex to load than jacketed.

Thanks

After loading a couple of more expensive jacketed bullets from Speer, I would have to agree with you.

They seem easier to load and group better.

But....many experienced reloaders are telling me that a cast SWC can be reloaded (using a formula I have yet to find) to shoot as accurately as jacketed bullets.

So, I'll keep trying.

 

[Snake45]

I think you are bullet testing more than powder testing. Lead bullets are more complex to load than jacketed.

I agree. I don't think you're going to solve your accuracy problems with different powders behind those cast 158s. Apparently your gun just doesn't like that bullet for whatever reason. In your spot, at this point I'd move on to other bullets. Even a different brand of cast 158s might well shoot better for you.

 

[doc540]

I think you are bullet testing more than powder testing. Lead bullets are more complex to load than jacketed.

I agree. I don't think you're going to solve your accuracy problems with different powders behind those cast 158s. Apparently your gun just doesn't like that bullet for whatever reason. In your spot, at this point I'd move on to other bullets. Even a different brand of cast 158s might well shoot better for you.

fair enough

I friend just have me a couple dozen of his cast 240's for my .44 loads, and I'll load them up as soon as my new brass gets there.

 

[David Bradshaw]

Hornady .357 158 XTP, or Sierra 158 JHC or JSP; 12 gr./2400; .357 mag case; mag primer. Ignore cannelure. Seat deep enough to crimp on beginning of ogive. Mild load, should be accurate at 100 yards.
David Bradshaw

 

[doc540]

Hornady .357 158 XTP, or Sierra 158 JHC or JSP; 12 gr./2400; .357 mag case; mag primer. Ignore cannelure. Seat deep enough to crimp on beginning of ogive. Mild load, should be accurate at 100 yards.
David Bradshaw

Yep, those are good bullets but much more expensive than cast from what I can tell.

Any good deals on them right now?

 

[David Bradshaw]

doc540.... try same load arrangement with cast 173 SWC; or, cast 158 over 12 or 13 gr./2400. Have a feeling they will fly straight.
David Bradshaw

 

[doc540]

Thanks
Any suggestions for Unique and 158 SWC cast?

I don't have any 2400, dang it.

 

[Rclark]

Any suggestions for Unique and 158 SWC cast?

Just checked my tables and while I don't have the loads marked as 'notable', 6.0g (1082fps) and 6.5g (1152fps) seemed like good loads from memory.