Muzzleflash of 10mm reloads and 357SIG factory loads

jeffreybehr · August 3, 2010, 01:04 AM

Finally got to a good stopping point for this initial phase of my research on muzzleflash (MF). I knew it before, but I know it better now--there's a HUGE difference in the MF of various powders and of various factory loads. I've rearranged the pics with the 10mm reloads first and the 357SIG factory loads last, and in best to worse sequence.

http://jeffreybehr.zenfolio.com/p548446203

I hope this helps someone select a powder or cartridge for Personal Defense that may be used in dark rooms. As a tease, here's the worst powder I tested...

..and here's the best.

The difference among the three 357SIG factory loads is about as great and makes me glad I carry the Speer GDLE cartridge in my Glock 32.

AlaskaMike · August 3, 2010, 10:36 AM

This is good stuff--thanks for posting that.

isanchez2008 · August 3, 2010, 10:53 AM

Great post. I'm curious if using the same powders in a different cartridge would yield similar results.

jeffreybehr · August 3, 2010, 03:40 PM

isan, as the note in my zenfolio gallery indicates, I tested Accurate 7 and 9 in my 357SIG and got the same results I got in the 10.

WESHOOT2 · August 4, 2010, 10:12 AM

I have noticed in testing that the specific launch platform used can have a dramatic affect on 'flash' signature.

Uh-oh.....

(Accurate powders offer lower 'flash'; Vihta choices offer the least 'flash').

Ike666 · August 4, 2010, 03:53 PM

I just got back from a day of testing .357 SIG loads out of doors using AA#9, PowerPistol, & VV N340. While there was significant difference in the felt recoil between the powders, there was no discernible muzzle flash. It was a solid overcast day but not particularly dark and no rain.

I have had the experience of being flashblinded in a shoot house with duty loads (Speer 125 g GDHPs).

August 3, 2010, 01:04 AM	#1
jeffreybehr Member Join Date: March 2, 2009 Posts: 83	Muzzleflash of 10mm reloads and 357SIG factory loads Finally got to a good stopping point for this initial phase of my research on muzzleflash (MF). I knew it before, but I know it better now--there's a HUGE difference in the MF of various powders and of various factory loads. I've rearranged the pics with the 10mm reloads first and the 357SIG factory loads last, and in best to worse sequence. http://jeffreybehr.zenfolio.com/p548446203 I hope this helps someone select a powder or cartridge for Personal Defense that may be used in dark rooms. As a tease, here's the worst powder I tested... ..and here's the best. The difference among the three 357SIG factory loads is about as great and makes me glad I carry the Speer GDLE cartridge in my Glock 32.

August 4, 2010, 10:12 AM	#5
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	crap city I have noticed in testing that the specific launch platform used can have a dramatic affect on 'flash' signature. Uh-oh..... (Accurate powders offer lower 'flash'; Vihta choices offer the least 'flash'). __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

August 3, 2010, 10:36 AM	#2
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 943	This is good stuff--thanks for posting that.

August 3, 2010, 10:53 AM	#3
isanchez2008 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2008 Location: WA Posts: 344	Great post. I'm curious if using the same powders in a different cartridge would yield similar results.

August 3, 2010, 03:40 PM	#4
jeffreybehr Member Join Date: March 2, 2009 Posts: 83	isan, as the note in my zenfolio gallery indicates, I tested Accurate 7 and 9 in my 357SIG and got the same results I got in the 10.

August 4, 2010, 03:53 PM	#6
Ike666 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2009 Location: SW VA Posts: 491	I just got back from a day of testing .357 SIG loads out of doors using AA#9, PowerPistol, & VV N340. While there was significant difference in the felt recoil between the powders, there was no discernible muzzle flash. It was a solid overcast day but not particularly dark and no rain. I have had the experience of being flashblinded in a shoot house with duty loads (Speer 125 g GDHPs).