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Down South
06-09-2008, 11:14 AM
I’m using WW with about 2% tin added for my alloy. I cast a few hundred 158 Gr RF boolits a few weeks ago. I water dropped the boolits and they show to be about 22 BHN with my Saeco tester.
I was going to test some of the loads a few days ago but the wife wanted to take a nap. My pistol range is only about 100 yards from my house so I had a better idea. Grab a few targets, jump on the ATV and go find a good place back in the woods behind the house to do a little plinking.
I found a small thorn tree to mount my targets to. (I hate thorn trees) Anyway after working the little nuisance tree over pretty well, I was able to recover a few of my boolits. What surprised me was that my boolits were not upset at all other than where other boolits had hit some of them. They looked like new other than the rifling marks on them. I didn’t chronograph this load but I guesstimate it at around 1100fps. I had backed my powder charge down one full grain that was producing 1325fps.
My question is, are my boolits too hard? Would it be better to just air cool my alloy? I will be bringing my velocity back up to around 1300fps as soon as a new powder I’ve ordered comes in (Alliant 2400). I’m not getting any leading with the current load.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t95/iamdudley_2007/Guns/SS850312.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t95/iamdudley_2007/Guns/SS850314.jpg
Ricochet
06-09-2008, 11:20 AM
I'm going to take a wild guess that you're shooting a .357, not a 375 Magnum.

Sounds like you're getting good results with what you've got. I don't see any urgent need to change a thing.
Down South
06-09-2008, 11:51 AM
Oops, Typo. Yup it's a 357. I fixed it. Thanks for the reply.
454PB
06-09-2008, 01:07 PM
The only reason I can think of would be if you wanted them to expand for hunting purposes. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
leftiye
06-09-2008, 02:43 PM
You didn't say whether or not you liked the groups. If they shoot well enough, and you aren't interested in expansion, then they're not too hard.
Down South
06-09-2008, 03:55 PM
You didn't say whether or not you liked the groups. If they shoot well enough, and you aren't interested in expansion, then they're not too hard.

The groups are OK at best. I need to tighten them up some. My groups are about 4.5" @ 25 Yards. My revolver is a Ruger GP 100 6" stainless. I'm going to try some of the same boolits that are air cooled instead of water dropped. I have a few hundred of the air cooled lubed and sized already. I just loaded 50 test rounds. Late this afternoon when it cools down a little I'll try them out.
I think a powder change is what I need most right now.
runfiverun
06-09-2008, 09:07 PM
i am pushing ww+2% to 1600 fps inmy 45colt and 44 mag 92 rifles. with 24" bbls.
with plain base boolits. no problems. i am only running my 357 to 1100 so far
as that is all i need for what i use the rifle for.
but this same load outta two revolvers with 6"bbl's shoots 1 1/2 groups at 25-30 yds.
and no leading.
HeavyMetal
06-09-2008, 09:39 PM
You didn't mention the powder your currently using. Is it also 2400?

Never been a big fan of 2400. Do use a lot of IMR 4227, WW296 and H-110 in magnum loads.

In this case I don't think it's the boolit I think you just need to find a load. I'll suggest the 4227 you can load it down and get some reasonable accuracy from it.
Junior1942
06-10-2008, 07:37 AM
At 1100 fps, you could use pure lead. There's certainly no need to add tin or to water cool your ww alloy.
Down South
06-10-2008, 10:24 AM
You didn't mention the powder your currently using. Is it also 2400?

Never been a big fan of 2400. Do use a lot of IMR 4227, WW296 and H-110 in magnum loads.

In this case I don't think it's the boolit I think you just need to find a load. I'll suggest the 4227 you can load it down and get some reasonable accuracy from it.


No, I was using WSF. I was experimenting with it for loads for the 357. The reason for buying 2400 is that it was recommended from several folks that use in their 357's. I’ve still got a lot of work to do finding load the revolver likes.
Meatco1
06-10-2008, 11:35 AM
Hello:

I've had terrific results using both (Hercules) 2400, and H-110 on all my Mag pistol calibers. That goes for both cast & jacketed loads.

I have quite a stock of Hercules powders, so haven't tried the new 2400 yet. Other than being a bit dirty, it's quite consistent with heavy loads.

Richard
GP100man
06-11-2008, 12:07 AM
it`s hard to meter but most of my rugers love herco, i have a redhawk that almost demands it!!!

GP100man:cbpour:
LAcaster
06-19-2008, 06:03 PM
I shoot a med- hard GC 158156 in front of 6.0grs of Unique and get excelent results out of my 6in Ruger 3 screw they shoot better than I do most of the time