sniper
11-01-2013, 01:36 PM
Several questions:
I am reaching the last of my supply of 2400, which I find is a very good powder, used in my preferred 10.5-11.6gr. range, which is what the bushings for my Hornady-Pacific Pistol measure bushings will throw. Satisfactory, some unburned grains of powder, not a problem. But, I am thinking about trying something else.
Woops! Slight break here, but the pup had found someting gross to roll in, and the Spousal Unit insisted we give him a bath! :mrgreen:
I also use Unique and Universal powders, which for all practical purposes, seem to be about equivalent, and Trail Boss, which is turning out to be a delightful powder behind 158gr commercial cast boolits!cool:
In my manuals, Power Pistol seems to be close to the top of the list for utility, as does Herco in my Speer #10 manual, and they both seem to be bulky enough to meet my need for a powder that will be readily observable in the case of a double charge. But, Herco doesn't get much attention nowadays.
My goals for reloading, using 357 Magnum brass and standard primers with 125-158 gr. plated boolits, 150-165 gr. cast, and 125-135-140gr, "J" word projectiles are;
For years, my standard load was 150-158gr. cast SWC and 5.5 gr. Unique for a chronographed 860fps from a 4" barrel, which I really like.
Cast boolits...150-165gr. ~ .38 Spl +P. or 38-44 velocity levels.
Plated:125 and 158gr...2 levels...900-1000fps, and ~1200fps
"J" word... 125 gr. Speer Gold Dot or Remington Golden Saber JHP:~38 Spl. +P and Medium level Magnim loads of ~1200fps.
Speer Short Barrel 135gr Gold Dot ~ 1000fps
140 gr. JHP ~1000fps
I'm not finding a lot of info for my stated goals, so I resort to the old formula of a lesser cartridge (.38 Spl.) max load +1.05 or 1.10 as a starting point.
What do you think: Will either Power Pistol or Herco be a good match for my goals, or are they similar enough to Unique and Universal that I should just stick with 2400? Or...can anyone suggest another powder that should be easily obtainable, once the "shortages" end?
Thanks
I am reaching the last of my supply of 2400, which I find is a very good powder, used in my preferred 10.5-11.6gr. range, which is what the bushings for my Hornady-Pacific Pistol measure bushings will throw. Satisfactory, some unburned grains of powder, not a problem. But, I am thinking about trying something else.
Woops! Slight break here, but the pup had found someting gross to roll in, and the Spousal Unit insisted we give him a bath! :mrgreen:
I also use Unique and Universal powders, which for all practical purposes, seem to be about equivalent, and Trail Boss, which is turning out to be a delightful powder behind 158gr commercial cast boolits!cool:
In my manuals, Power Pistol seems to be close to the top of the list for utility, as does Herco in my Speer #10 manual, and they both seem to be bulky enough to meet my need for a powder that will be readily observable in the case of a double charge. But, Herco doesn't get much attention nowadays.
My goals for reloading, using 357 Magnum brass and standard primers with 125-158 gr. plated boolits, 150-165 gr. cast, and 125-135-140gr, "J" word projectiles are;
For years, my standard load was 150-158gr. cast SWC and 5.5 gr. Unique for a chronographed 860fps from a 4" barrel, which I really like.
Cast boolits...150-165gr. ~ .38 Spl +P. or 38-44 velocity levels.
Plated:125 and 158gr...2 levels...900-1000fps, and ~1200fps
"J" word... 125 gr. Speer Gold Dot or Remington Golden Saber JHP:~38 Spl. +P and Medium level Magnim loads of ~1200fps.
Speer Short Barrel 135gr Gold Dot ~ 1000fps
140 gr. JHP ~1000fps
I'm not finding a lot of info for my stated goals, so I resort to the old formula of a lesser cartridge (.38 Spl.) max load +1.05 or 1.10 as a starting point.
What do you think: Will either Power Pistol or Herco be a good match for my goals, or are they similar enough to Unique and Universal that I should just stick with 2400? Or...can anyone suggest another powder that should be easily obtainable, once the "shortages" end?
Thanks