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May 25, 2007, 04:51 PM | #1 |
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red dot vs unique in .357mag
I currently use Unique for my .357mag target loads and was considering using Red Dot. What differences might I expect?
I currently shoot 5gr of Unique behind a 158LRN out of a Ruger GP-100 with a 6" barrel. |
May 25, 2007, 05:37 PM | #2 |
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I load 7.7 gr of Unique behind 158 gr JFP for all-around plinking, and 8.2 gr behind a 158 JHP for hotrodding. I have tried Red Dot but do not think much of it. It works well in hot loads, but does not perform as well as Unique with milder loads. I now use Blue Dot for super-hot max loads in 357 and 44 Mag, and it works very well.
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May 25, 2007, 05:59 PM | #3 |
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With light target loads in my .357 mag. I’ve had the best accuracy with Win 231. I find that Unique burns a lot dirtier too. Another thing I don’t like about unique is that it doesn’t meter through a powder measure anywhere near as consistently as 231, and it’s just not as accurate in my gun either. I haven’t had great success with red dot either, but I’ve only tried a few different loads with it.
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May 25, 2007, 11:30 PM | #4 |
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Red Dot and Unique are flake powders, and some powder measures surely don't like them. I can make some decent loads if I use my Pact High Speed Dispenser and Digital Scale. But it slows down my reloading immensely. I prefer ball type powders with my Lee Auto-Disk.
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May 26, 2007, 02:48 AM | #5 | |
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Quote:
sterno, I have not tried Red Dot, but I have had good results with Bullseye and 158gr LRNFP in .357 mag. with WSP, and AA#5 works well with plated bullets for me with WSP with good accuracy in my 4" Colt Trooper (these are light loads 8.2gr for a 140gr bullet) Sorry if this was " No help what so ever " |
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May 26, 2007, 09:17 AM | #6 |
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No, it deos help!
Now I have some more powders to try out... |
May 27, 2007, 12:20 AM | #7 |
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I use 6.1 gr. of red dot with 140gr jhp in my cattleman for years and I have always liked the load. I guess everybody has a favorite load. Use what works best for you.
John
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May 29, 2007, 11:24 PM | #8 |
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I 've used both and recently changed to Lil Gun for all my magnum loads. The load density/pressure/velocity numbers on Hodgon's site looked very good and the loads I have chrono'd are very close to their claims.
http://www.hodgdon.com/
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May 31, 2007, 10:39 PM | #9 |
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I have some older Hodgdon data 2002 stuff, there test barrel length is 10" whats up with that Are these guys trying to make there powder look better by using a 10" non vented test barrel give me a break.
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June 1, 2007, 05:56 PM | #10 |
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Check out this web page by Winchester, 10" barrel there too. How many 10" 357 magnums are out there?
Winchester 357 Magnum load data
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June 1, 2007, 06:12 PM | #11 |
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Stargazer and jibjab-
Exactly! Now you know why people with chronographs laugh at loading manual velocities.
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June 1, 2007, 10:31 PM | #12 |
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I'm currently loading 7 grains of Unique behind a 158 grain Rainier FP and according to my chrono, I am getting 1030-1078fps, out of my Taurus Tracker 4" barrel. This is a great target load, mild report, accurate, and Unique is burning clean in my gun.
I chrono'd some hot 357 loads last week, 158 grain JSP with 16.6 grains of 296. Advertised velocity is 1610 fps. According to my chrono, I got 1277 fps. Its nowhere near advertised velocity. My 125 grain JSP's with 9.6 grains of Unique, advertised velocity is 1585fps, I got 1350-1400 fps. These are loads as listed in my Lee Modern Reloading second edition. |
June 2, 2007, 10:18 AM | #13 |
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For "target loads" to shoot in a .357, try 148 HBWC, 2.8 Bullseye and .38 special cases.
Load your .357 cases with H110 at near max.
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