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Ben
01-28-2013, 08:28 PM
In an earlier post, I talked about shooting a heavy 250 gr. gas checked .35 cal. bullet in my .357 Mag. Handi Rifle , see original post here :

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?180942-357-Handi-Rifle

I fired 6 rounds today. I forgot that I had fired about 30 rounds of jacketed ammo in the rifle earlier, I was running a bit behind schedule and really didn't have time to clean the bore of copper before going to the range today.

A few people were concerned that the twist in the barrel might not stabilize the heavy, long, 250 gr. bullet. Well, today the loads seemed to shoot just fine !

The 1st two rounds fired were " wild ", once the bore got coated with lube again, the rifle settled down and shot just fine. ( 4 rounds in a ragged hole ) I may be onto something ? ? ?

I was worried about high pressure......Well, it seems that my 13.0 grs. of IMR - 4227 may not be developing enough pressure. It certainly isn't too much powder. I doubt that I can get anymore 4227 in the case, so I may need to move onto a slightly quicker burn rate powder ?

Here is the test target. 6 rounds , NEI 250 gr. G/C cast bullet with .014 " thickness .35 cal. aluminum gas check. CCI - 400 rifle primers, bullets sized .358"

Maybe I need to move onto something quicker like 2400 powder ?

Here is the load :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/002-46_zps108ab23f.jpg

The group below was fired with my Handi Rifle , 357 Mag.
with the load described above. 6 rounds fired at 50 yards from a sand bag rest :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Photo0914_zpseb8de7f7.jpg

You can easily see ( excuse the poor cell phone photo ) that I don't have a pressure problem by looking at the rounded outside edges of the primers :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Photo0913_zps23b37f90.jpg

These sooted cases tell me the 13.0 gr. charge of IMR 4227 isn't building up enough pressure to seal off the cases in the chamber of the rifle :

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Photo0911_zps0e80aa8d.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/Photo0910_zps303f468e.jpg

nekshot
01-28-2013, 08:44 PM
Ben your having more fun than a human being should have! I am impressed.

Ben
01-28-2013, 09:03 PM
Having more fun than the law ought to allow....................

pipehand
01-28-2013, 09:15 PM
Ben, that looks like it makes more sense than the 300 Blackout on that same platform. Any chrono readings on that load?

Mk42gunner
01-28-2013, 10:14 PM
Would that my wild rounds land that close to the rest of the group. The first round hole looks slightly oblong, but that could be because the paper plate target wasn't fully supported.

I agree that the cases look like the round is too low pressure to expand the brass and seal the chamber. Better tpo start with a too loew pressure than a too high pressure loading.

Robert

FergusonTO35
01-28-2013, 10:40 PM
Wow, that's looking good!! I am amazed at the lack of pressure signs. Maybe the compression is causing the powder to burn more slowly?

Ben
01-28-2013, 10:42 PM
And the testing with other powders continues.

Any ideas from the populace ? ?

jmort
01-28-2013, 10:48 PM
Would like to know chronograph results as well.

Ben
01-28-2013, 10:50 PM
Sorry Fellows,

I can understand your interest in the speed of the load but I don't own a chrony.

Ben

Hammerhead
01-29-2013, 04:32 AM
Hows about Lil'Gun?
I don't think you need to drop down to 2400 yet.

Ben
01-29-2013, 10:07 AM
Hammerhead

I wonder if I can even find a can of Lil'Gun with the " Ammo and Component Craze " like it is right now ? ?

Ben

Nrut
01-29-2013, 03:47 PM
Hello Ben,
I have a Browning Low Wall in .357mag and have been collecting data off the net for a few years for heavier bullets..
I haven't got past the RCBS 200gr rifle bullet yet weight wise, but below are links for heavier bullet loads I have yet to try.

See post #20 by linoww:
http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/view_topic.php?id=2148&forum_id=18

Using LittleGun&250gr out of a handgun here:

http://www.handloads.org/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=357+Magnum&Weight=250&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=

http://www.shootersforum.com/handloading-procedures-practices/9051-250gr-lfp-357-magnum.html


I also have in my notes to ask Felix as he often suggests using 4198 and Rl-7 under heavy bullets in the .45 Colt..
BTW I would like to see you anneal that 250gr. bullet or cast it with 50/50 WW/Pb and shoot a deer with it!
If you don't that will force me to do it..
Thinking a soft NOE 358318 HP bullet should work nicely..
Group buy going on that one now folks..:twisted::-D:twisted::-D

Ben
01-29-2013, 07:35 PM
I have a factory HP Lyman 358318.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/PICT0009-7.jpg

Nobade
01-29-2013, 09:46 PM
Ben,
Send me a PM with your details - boolit seating depth, barrel length, and boolit weight. I can run it in Quickload and see what it recommends. I still think Lil' Gun will be the best choice. I expected 4227 to be too slow, but plenty safe. Try magnum rifle primers with it if you have any.

Ben
01-29-2013, 10:10 PM
Nobade, PM sent to you.

Ben

P.S. - -

The IMR - 4227 burned dirty ( probably a product of low pressure and incomplete burn )

Marlin Junky
01-29-2013, 10:41 PM
I had a .357 Handi for a while (with the same off-center primer strike) and .360 DW brass fit it better than .357 brass.

MJ

Ben
01-29-2013, 10:56 PM
.360 DW brass is hard to find right now ( along with just about all other reloading and shooting components )

Artful
01-29-2013, 11:48 PM
And the testing with other powders continues.

Any ideas from the populace ? ?

Try Blue Dot