(sigh...) More load help requested...

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jamesgpobog
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(sigh...) More load help requested...

Post by jamesgpobog »

I posted this at Cast Boolits too, but I'm trying for a large audience...


I'm not going to say how I got to this point, but I've been thinking that it might be better to expose stupidity rather than blow myself up.


Been making loads for the new T/C G2 13", .357MAXIMUM. Please help me find out if I've swerved off into the weeds and need to start looking for a bullet puller on Amazon.


THESE ARE UNPROVEN DEVELOPMENTAL LOADS, DO NOT USE THIS DATA.


Here's the loads, 10 rounds each.


.357 MAXIMUM
Missouri Bullet 140gr TC, Hy-Tek
IHMSA brass, nickel, once fired (?) (from the estate sale of an experienced shooter/reloader)
Unknown primers
9.2 gr Unique



Beartooth 180 gr WLNFPGC
IHMSA brass, nickel, once fired
Unknown primers
7.6 gr Unique



Western Bullet RCBS 35-200-FN GC HP
IHMSA brass, nickel, once fired
Unknown primers
13.5 gr AA#9


All informational feedback will be greatly appreciated.
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Re: (sigh...) More load help requested...

Post by Arroyoshark »

Don't rightly know about your loads, except they appear hot. Given the case capacity of the .357 max., unique might not be my choice for loads in a T/C, particularly not for really hot loads.

I would think it better to consult published reloading manuals for guidance here. Perhaps perusing Steve's Reloading pages, an online compilation of published Lias Data from most published sources. Another resource you might consult is www.handloads.com.
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Re: (sigh...) More load help requested...

Post by Archer »

I suspect RD could run some numbers and folks who have manuals can do some look up.
(I don't typically mind the latter but I suspect my data may not cover these load choices.)

I will say however that unless you are certain about your loads you should NOT shoot them.
We may be able to give you warm fuzzies but unless you are certain then you should at the very least be labeling them as 'suspect for salvage only' and setting a deadline for getting out the bullet puller.

I'll pull out a couple of my manuals and see what they list if anything for the powders in question.
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Re: (sigh...) More load help requested...

Post by Archer »

Accurate #1 manual lists neither of those powders for .357 Maximum.
Speer #12 lists neither of those powders.

three more tomorrow...
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Re: (sigh...) More load help requested...

Post by GasGuzzler »

No way I'm shooting the Unique loads. Not just because I've found no use for Unique but because you need slower powder with greater case fill.
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Re: (sigh...) More load help requested...

Post by jamesgpobog »

First, I am not being obstinate or argumentative, I really want to figure all this out.

Two pages I've looked at seem to be not so freaked about the Unique.

Remember, we are talking about the MAXIMUM, not the Magnum.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthr ... Rifle-Load

http://www.reloadammo.com/357max.htm

For instance, the M.D, Smith page shows a plinking load as 158gr SWC over 7.0gr Unique. Is an 18gr lighter bullet and 2.2gr heavier charge really sending me off into the Red Zone? When I cross check with QL (of which I'm comparing the pressure curves of a published load against what I'm throwing) I see:

357MAX
MD Smith published: 158gr LSWC, 7gr Unique, 39.2% fill, 14089 PSI, 1222 FPS
My hinky load: Poly 140gr TCFP, 9.2 Unique 59% fill, 25137 PSI, 1559 FPS

357MAX
Again, from Smith, 200 gr Sierra RN (jacketed) 10.0 gr. Unique, 64% fill, 37343 PSI , 1,150 FPS
My hinky load.... 180 gr Beartooth WFNGC 7.6 gr. Unique, 43.2% fill, 17978 PSI, 1,225 FPS


For a baseline(?) compare, From Smith:
.357 MAGNUM
158 gr LSWC, 6.8 gr. Unique, 53.2% fill, 19475 PSI , 1,295 FPS, MAX load

So, now on display is my research and thought process. Also, all the QL numbers here are from a 13" barrel.

I think I'd much rather be embarrassed in public than blown up, but per my brain function, I want to know 'why'.
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Re: (sigh...) More load help requested...

Post by jamesgpobog »

BTW, FYI, bullet puller ordered. I would still like dialog though...
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Re: (sigh...) More load help requested...

Post by GasGuzzler »

My comments were based on:

I hate Unique. It's dirty and too fast for long thin brass. It meters poorly. It's easy to double charge and easy to spike pressure wise.

Using a crack when you need somewhere between a pop and boom can be troublesome.

By percentage, a lot is different.

I hate low fill loads. There are much better powders for many reasons that give better FPS with better fill percentage at lower (sometimes) pressures.

One load you listed is nearly double pressure after being changed to your spec.

I don't know if your safe, I'm hoping that's not the question. I know I'd look at H110/W296 and a much higher case fill.
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Re: (sigh...) More load help requested...

Post by jamesgpobog »

"One load you listed is nearly double pressure after being changed to your spec. "

Which one?
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Re: (sigh...) More load help requested...

Post by Archer »

jamesgpobog wrote:"One load you listed is nearly double pressure after being changed to your spec. "

Which one?
The first one unless you've made a typo:
357MAX
MD Smith published: 158gr LSWC, 7gr Unique, 39.2% fill, 14089 PSI, 1222 FPS
My hinky load: Poly 140gr TCFP, 9.2 Unique 59% fill, 25137 PSI, 1559 FPS357MAX
And YES I was checking .357 MAX not Mag loads.

Unlike GasGuzzler I LIKE Unique for .45 ACP and it can be useful for .44 SP level loads out of the .44 Magnum. I DON'T try to use it to pump out heavy loads. I don't mind a little carbon and it meters acceptably out of several measures I've used over the years. I'm not exactly wild about running it through the Dillon. For .357 or .44 magnum loads I prefer H110/296 or 2400.
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