WTK 800X .357 158 SWC data

[smkummer]

Looking for a load that will give about 1150 FPS with the lee cast bullet. The older IMR booklet shows very light data compaired to the Speer No. 11. For instance IMR stops at about 8.5 grains and the Speer book goes to a max of 11.9 with a jacketed bullet. Big difference! Anyone have a chronograph or proven load? thanks

[BerdanIII]

There's a load table for 800-X in one of the Handloader's Digests; I know there are some LSWC loads in there and will pull them out. I've shot jacketed loads out of the table and they were very good.

[BerdanIII]

From: Handloaders' Digest, 10th Ed., Loading for Maximum PIR (Power Index Rating)
.38 Special
Bullet - Powder charge - 2.5" Vel / PIR - 4" Vel / PIR - 6" Vel / PIR - 8 3/8" Vel / PIR
158-gr LRN - 5.7 - 847 / 70 - 873 / 75 - 895 / 78 - 909 / 80
158-gr LSWC - 5.8 - 851 / 80 - 880 / 86 - 900 / 90 - 915 / 93
158-gr LSWC HP - 5.8 - 848 / 93 - 877 / 100 - 898 / 105 - 916 / 109
110-gr JHP - 7.2 - 940 / 80 - 1001 / 91 - 1075 / 105 - 1150 / 120
125-gr JHP - 6.8 - 872 / 78 - 915 / 86 - 973 / 97 - 1028 / 109
(Expanded at all velocities)
125-gr JHP - 6.8 - 875 / 59 - 910 / 64 - 970 / 73 - 1025 / 81
(Different brand of bullet, did not expand)

.357 Magnum
158-gr LSWC - 8.9 - 1128 / 141 - 1147 / 146 - 1191 / 185 - 1212 / 192

PIR 55-94: Marginal for self-defense
PIR 95-150: Ideal for self-defense
PIR 151-200: Usually effective even with only fairly-placed hits, difficult to control

The author used the Hornady 158-LSWC HP for his loads.

I have used the two jacketed loads above and the accuracy was excellent, even at 50 yards.

[runfiverun]

imr runs all their data to the low end of the pressure spectrum.
i have seen them go so far as to use 4895 in the 44 mag in leverguns.
look at the pressures.
i currently use 7 grs of herco in my 357 loads and it's a pretty fast load.
but i do use 800-x in my 44 mag and like it over unique.
i'd give the 8 grs a try remember 800-x is a big flaked powder and don't meter too well.

[smkummer]

The starting load in the Speer no. 11 showed 10.9 grains so we are going to pull the 10 we loaded and go with 8.9 to be safe. If we are getting 1190 out of 6 in. python, then thats all we would want with hard cast lead bullets anyway. When we chonograph, I will post results here.

[pmeisel]

I have never tried 800X, I am primarily a Unique/2400 guy. For those who have used it, do you like it better than either of these and why?

[smkummer]

Myself personally, Unique is giving me about 1150 FPS with a cast bullet and about 7.5 grains powder. (Python 6 in. barrel) so that is what I am using. A buddy has a couple of pounds of 800X and is wanting more velocity than 700X out of his python. I would rather use these medium speed pistol powders to maybe save wear on the forcing cone of the barrel. I believe slow powders such as H110 and 2400 create high temps ( due to longer burn time) at the forcing cone and may accelerate wear for longer sessions of shooting. I maybe wrong but if a faster powder gives me what I want velocity wise (about 1100 FPS) then its more economical to use.

[runfiverun]

h-110 actually burns fairly cool.
the slower powders take longer to come to peak pressure then just stay there longer.
the fast powders go to pressure right now then fade.
i like 800-x more than unique in some applications like 44 mag and in my leverguns for the slightly longer burn it gives.
it also seems to be a bit cleaner.
i use 2400 more in my 45 colt right now.
if i had to just pick one of the bunch i'd take herco.
then step back to 2400 for the heavier boolits.
you are looking at burn rates right in order here in the357, 44 and 45 colt. it seems to go unique,herco,800-x then 2400. one right after the other
and charges would follow the same 6,7,8 then @11 grs to get about the same velocity,
in a 357.
steel,bluedot,sr 4756 and aa9 would be right in between the 800-x and 2400.

[smkummer]

Average 1240 FPS out of a 6 1/2 in. blackhawk and 6 in. python. Comfortable out of the python. 8.9 grains of 800X. We are going to back down for leading concerns and more comfortable shooting out of the blackhawk and a 4 in. barreled Colt Lawman. Velocity spreads of about 50 FPS on a 30 F day.

[9.3X62AL]

800-X worked well in 38 Special and 357 Mag for me--once ya got it into the case. My RCBS measure and it DID NOT get along. I used Lee powder spoons to load about 300 rounds, all told--and used the rest of the 800-X for field-level shotshells. The stuff metered wonderfully through a MEC 600 Jr. It's a good powder for 12 gauge 3-3/4 dram X 1-1/4 oz loads, as is Herco.