Dual Loads

[Michael J. Spangler]

Hi guys.

I was just reading an article on "Dual Loads" in varmint hunter.
I hadn't heard of them before this point. The idea is that you load one set of cartridges to be spot on at say 400 yards. Then you load a second less potent cartridge to shoot to the same point of aim for say 100 or 150 yards. Thus covering yourself with a little hold over or under for just about any scenario you could fine while our predator hunting.
I thought that was pretty cool. I thought it would be awesome to do something similar with my 1894C in 357/38. It seems that pistol caliber carbines would lend themselves to this. Especially ones that offer a combo of Special and Magnum cartridges in one platform.
I figured it would be cool to have a nice 357 load that I know I can shoot well at to any distance that the bullet is capable of killing at and at the same time have some 38s with wadcutter loads for picking off small snack sized animals say 50 yards or less.

Has anyone run a pistol cartridge carbine like this? I figured if anyone has it would be a member on this forum.

Thanks!

[Artful]

Not run my 357/38 loads but have done my Savage 99 358 WCF - be prepared to do a lot of playing around as it takes time to find the right powder/boolit combination.

[FromTheWoods]

I'm sure I'm a forum member, but I went the other way from "Dual Loads." .38WCF '73 and Ruger Buckeye .38-40/10mm. Shoot the same load out of them. The load performs well in both, and no need to adjust sights or carry two different cartridges.

The dual load idea is good for those who want to play with it, though I don't see that I would ever use it. I have other rifles that will shoot accurately to 400 yards, but rarely shoot past 300 with them. Without trying to reach out so far, it's rather unnecessary for me to fiddle with different cartridges. Point of aim isn't going to differ much from 50-300 yards to warrant a dual load. Plus, (and I'm kidding) I usually give the coyotes a running start until they are at 50 yards, then if I miss (never!), I won't have to switch out cartridges when they pass 250 yards!

I hope others who do use the dual load method will chime in for you.

[358 Win]

I run my 1894C and my 4" S&W 19-4 with dual loads and don't have to change sight settings. My walk about load uses the Lyman 358477 bullet which weighs 154 grains with my allow of ACWW + 2% tin. Using a very mild charge of Bullseye the velocity is 1000fps from the 19-4 and 1200 from the 1894C. Super mild and accurate. Groups 1" left of dead center in both the carbine and handgun.

My "lets get serious" load employs the gas checked Lyman 358156 bullet weighing 164 grains fully dressed with the above alloy. With a very stout charge of ACC#9 I get 1368 fps from the 19-4 and 1800 fps with the carbine. This load actually groups tighter in both weapons but right to point of aim.

I've fired thousands upon thousands of the above loads. Even the 358477 load will dispatch anything that needs dispatching. My 1894C is a 1979 vintage which I bought brand new and my 19-4 is from the second quarter of 1980 which I purchased used from a guy at work for relatively little dinero as he could not hit a target with it. The sights were sending bullets 1' left and 2' low.

358 Win

[marshall623]

I use Dual loads in IHMSA comp. For examp. In the T/C 223. for 1/2 scale I use a light charge of 4759 under a 55gr. Horn or Sierra these are center hold on the 50M chick. and pigs at 100M , then I switch up to 20.5 gr. of IMR4198 under the same bullet for hold on the leg body junction on the turk. at 150M and center hold on 200M rams. Not much elev. change in 223 but the light load helps to not damage the 50M targets . I use the same system with Boolits in the 7-30 Waters and 7 TCU.

[JSnover]

Don't know much about dual loads for that purpose but I did read an interesting piece by Venturino about "Lay-down Loads." From standing to prone the point of impact shifts because your body absorbs recoil differently. A different load eliminates the need to adjust windage at a given distance.