sniper
07-04-2014, 02:25 PM
Miscellaneous ramblings...
Have a good 4th of July! :smile:
Last night, for the second time in more than 40 years of reloading: I installed a primer upside down! :shock: I discovered it during the final inspection. Hoo Boy! It pays to check, then check again, and one more time doesn't cost a thing!
Lately I have been researching loads for my 357 Mag., with the wish to choose 3 or 4 loads as "go-to" for all my shooting. I find I have reached the stage where experimentation is not as fun as shooting any more!
What I would like to have, when the dust clears, is several loads that will produce velocities of 950-1,000 fps for my 150- 162 gr cast boolits, as well as A .38 +P or better equivalent load for 125 gr plated, 125 gr JHP, and the Remington Golden Saber 125gr., and Speer 135gr. JHP boolits.
For higher velocities, and the j-word boolits, I would like to match the present Remington GS 357 mag. load of about 1200 FPS, With both the Golden Saber and Speer 135 gr. products, but, as I enjoy shooting what I term "Hot .38-Mild Magnum" loads, at about 950-1,000 fps, those will be the majority of what I will load.
I use standard primers, even with 2400, and 357 brass in my 4" 586. BUT! I've just seen the new model 66 S&W introduced earlier this year. Oh, Boy, I WANT! Have wanted one for at least 20 years! Maybe this time... :smile:
Anyway, for cast Boolits from 150-165 gr., a rather mild load of 2400; 10.5 gr., maybe increasing to 11.5. I tried several dozen of Skeeter's 13.5gr. "medium" load and was surprised at the bark and bellow.
Since then, I have replaced the grips with Hogue's synthetic monogrip, and was surprised at the seeming reduction of recoil, better accuracy, and general comfort of shooting. Have others experienced this? The only negative is they are ummmm...utilitarian-looking! Perhaps they fit my hand better.
For years, my standard load for 150-158 cast IPSC and general shooting was 5.5gr. Unique, which chrono'ed 860 fps from my 4" barrel. To get it more to the famed Miami/Dade/FBI/RCMP_load velocities, I will raise it to 5.8gr, (Which is what my powder measure bushings will throw.)That should raise the velocity to about the 950-1,000 fps., I hope.
Hodgdon's Universal...I don't know why I bought it, but it seems to be a good powder, and 5.2-5.8 gr. seems to be a good range for the desired velocities.
I have a friend who is determined to get me using AA #5 powder, which I know nothing about. A good choice?
In the absence of loads at the level I am researching, I use .38 +P data from my manuals, and add 10% for the increased case volume, which is still less than beginning 357 Magnum loads, and has proved completely safe...so far!
What do you think? any recommended loads for the desired velocities, and boolits?
Thanx
Have a good 4th of July! :smile:
Last night, for the second time in more than 40 years of reloading: I installed a primer upside down! :shock: I discovered it during the final inspection. Hoo Boy! It pays to check, then check again, and one more time doesn't cost a thing!
Lately I have been researching loads for my 357 Mag., with the wish to choose 3 or 4 loads as "go-to" for all my shooting. I find I have reached the stage where experimentation is not as fun as shooting any more!
What I would like to have, when the dust clears, is several loads that will produce velocities of 950-1,000 fps for my 150- 162 gr cast boolits, as well as A .38 +P or better equivalent load for 125 gr plated, 125 gr JHP, and the Remington Golden Saber 125gr., and Speer 135gr. JHP boolits.
For higher velocities, and the j-word boolits, I would like to match the present Remington GS 357 mag. load of about 1200 FPS, With both the Golden Saber and Speer 135 gr. products, but, as I enjoy shooting what I term "Hot .38-Mild Magnum" loads, at about 950-1,000 fps, those will be the majority of what I will load.
I use standard primers, even with 2400, and 357 brass in my 4" 586. BUT! I've just seen the new model 66 S&W introduced earlier this year. Oh, Boy, I WANT! Have wanted one for at least 20 years! Maybe this time... :smile:
Anyway, for cast Boolits from 150-165 gr., a rather mild load of 2400; 10.5 gr., maybe increasing to 11.5. I tried several dozen of Skeeter's 13.5gr. "medium" load and was surprised at the bark and bellow.
Since then, I have replaced the grips with Hogue's synthetic monogrip, and was surprised at the seeming reduction of recoil, better accuracy, and general comfort of shooting. Have others experienced this? The only negative is they are ummmm...utilitarian-looking! Perhaps they fit my hand better.
For years, my standard load for 150-158 cast IPSC and general shooting was 5.5gr. Unique, which chrono'ed 860 fps from my 4" barrel. To get it more to the famed Miami/Dade/FBI/RCMP_load velocities, I will raise it to 5.8gr, (Which is what my powder measure bushings will throw.)That should raise the velocity to about the 950-1,000 fps., I hope.
Hodgdon's Universal...I don't know why I bought it, but it seems to be a good powder, and 5.2-5.8 gr. seems to be a good range for the desired velocities.
I have a friend who is determined to get me using AA #5 powder, which I know nothing about. A good choice?
In the absence of loads at the level I am researching, I use .38 +P data from my manuals, and add 10% for the increased case volume, which is still less than beginning 357 Magnum loads, and has proved completely safe...so far!
What do you think? any recommended loads for the desired velocities, and boolits?
Thanx