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What do you do when every load shoots great...

Posted: 10 Apr 2018 12:09
by ethang
Finally got free time to play with some 296. I jumped right into the book max load of 16.7(yes I know) and used regular WSP primers ( yes I also know) and my normal Zero 158 JSP.

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Decent standard deviation

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Extreme spread was high but my first shot was only 1659, the next 4 were all over 1700.

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The temp was in the high 30's, no ignition issues at all, primers look good,

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First 5 at 75 yards

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Next 5 the flyer was my first shot and I called it.

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little different soot lines than normal, but this is with brand new cases.
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I have not found a load that shoots poorly in this rifle and most are about neck and neck. I have my normal load(max of Lil'gun) that shoots every bit this well, just didn't like the barrel heat it produces. I might try this 296 load bumped a bit over book max and try some small rifle primers just to see if there is any improvement.

Going to try some of the 180 lead loads I got from GasGuzzler and then maybe call it a day and just shoot.

+guns

Ethan

Re: What do you do when every load shoots great...

Posted: 10 Apr 2018 14:22
by Arroyoshark
Excellent results !

Noted you are in Michigan, where you have some cold months. I had been hunting with .44 revolver with near max. loading of 296/H110, with mag primers, and recorded good velocity results in warmer weather. Hunting in November at 10,000 ft was a different story. I did get my elk, but the loads displayed quite diminished recoil and performance. As much as 296/H110, a double base powder, is touted as a high performance powder for magnum handguns, it is susceptible to temperature swings.

I went looking for another powder to use for November hunting. Not too many single based handgun powders are out there these days, but I've tried old Alliant 2400, tho a double base powder, seems to perform better in the cold of November. There may be newer marketed powders that are designed to perform well in cold weather as well.

Just a heads up.

Re: What do you do when every load shoots great...

Posted: 10 Apr 2018 18:46
by GasGuzzler
That's about how much 296 I use with 162's. Next to 2400 in my Blackhawk it's my favorite for 162's. Every load I try shoots good in my R92 and my NMBH.

Re: What do you do when every load shoots great...

Posted: 11 Apr 2018 20:02
by ethang
while I was inspecting my brass before reloading for more testing I noticed some of the bulging at the case head that has been documented here before. I have not had this with either the factory Federal loads, or the Lil'gun loads. So now this adds another area I need to track and evaluate. Maybe the Lil'gun loads, though hotter in the barrel, are better due to the lower pressures...

Re: What do you do when every load shoots great...

Posted: 20 Apr 2018 15:20
by Archer
I've been pretty happy with 2400 loaded in .44 Mag.
I haven't loaded a lot of .357 YET but I'm getting ready to put together some with H110.

As has been noted there can be a large variation with ambient temp and extra cold weather just sucks the heat of reaction out of the system. Extra hot can make a good medium weather load go too hot as well.

Re: What do you do when every load shoots great...

Posted: 10 Jul 2018 08:34
by Santa Lee
Same here! I use Tite group and IMR 4227 and have never had that problem. I tried Trail Boss and now am having bulging of my cases! With this powder it should not happen.
ethang wrote:while I was inspecting my brass before reloading for more testing I noticed some of the bulging at the case head that has been documented here before. I have not had this with either the factory Federal loads, or the Lil'gun loads. So now this adds another area I need to track and evaluate. Maybe the Lil'gun loads, though hotter in the barrel, are better due to the lower pressures...

Re: What do you do when every load shoots great...

Posted: 12 Jul 2018 14:22
by mikld
I read this thread a couple days ago and figgered I'd just pass. But I thought "what if a new reloader read this?". Starting out a new load with the maximum load is very poor reloading practice and saying "I know..." makes it no better. :evil:

For any newer reloaders following this thread; do not start any loads at or above the manual suggestions. You may get away with it, but eventually it will turn on you and bite you in your %@*&$...

Re: What do you do when every load shoots great...

Posted: 12 Jul 2018 16:44
by ethang
mikld wrote:I read this thread a couple days ago and figgered I'd just pass. But I thought "what if a new reloader read this?". Starting out a new load with the maximum load is very poor reloading practice and saying "I know..." makes it no better. :evil:

For any newer reloaders following this thread; do not start any loads at or above the manual suggestions. You may get away with it, but eventually it will turn on you and bite you in your %@*&$...
Well as Jim Wilson likes to say, Bless your heart.

Re: What do you do when every load shoots great...

Posted: 12 Jul 2018 19:46
by TinMan
To answer the original question..........enjoy it.

Re: What do you do when every load shoots great...

Posted: 02 Aug 2018 17:24
by Handloader109
Do you guys load for the 92 with rifle primers or pistol primers? I've used both in some of my 9mm loads when I couldn't get pistol primers and didn't see any difference. What about Pistol in rifle? Just dumb loader question.