low powder charge

swabjocky · November 25, 2001, 03:32 PM

i have asked about low powder charges before.i load 3.5 grs of bullseye in a 38 special 105 gr lead swc.that is a small amount of powder,yet it works great.i dont know speed.i use a model 14 smith target pistol.

Blarneystone · November 25, 2001, 05:11 PM

what have you asked about low powder charges in the past that concerns you? I'd say if it works great then, cool no problem then. Go with what works.

I, myself was throwing VERY low powder charges using the lee dippers, so I shot a bunch of squibs that got caught in the barrel. So that's about the only drawback I'd see for low loads. I've heard some people complain about blowback, but I haven't seen too much of that.

C.R.Sam · November 25, 2001, 05:49 PM

Sounds like a decent mid range target load to me. If your gun likes it, run with it.

Sam

Ben Shepherd · November 26, 2001, 04:18 PM

Swabjocky, I think I know what you're getting at:

That looks like an awfully small amount of powder sitting in the shell. I was concerened about this as well(7.0 grs of unique looks awfully small in a 44 mag case). Here's what I found out:

Bullseye is one of, if not THE fastest burning powder out there. So a small amount builds A LOT of pressure really quickly. PRESSURE is what pushes the bullet.

So: If 3.5gr of bullseye builds the same pressure in the 38 case as 10gr of powder X, the end result is the same, only the method of getting there differs.

Make sense?

Freedom in theSkies · November 26, 2001, 11:39 PM

Sounds a bit warm. Are you leading the barrel at all?

swabjocky · November 27, 2001, 12:52 PM

THANKS GUYS.THAT ANSWERED MY QUESTION.I DONT GET LEADING BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS LEFT BREAKFREE IN THE BARREL AFTER CLEANING.IT SEEMS TO COAT THE BARREL INSIDE AND DOES NOT LEAD.I SHOOT WHEELWEIGHTS AS IS WITH NOTHING ADDED.

SWAB

November 25, 2001, 03:32 PM	#1
swabjocky Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2001 Location: upstate sc Posts: 384	low powder charge i have asked about low powder charges before.i load 3.5 grs of bullseye in a 38 special 105 gr lead swc.that is a small amount of powder,yet it works great.i dont know speed.i use a model 14 smith target pistol.

November 26, 2001, 04:18 PM	#4
Ben Shepherd Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2001 Location: Utah Posts: 1,462	Swabjocky, I think I know what you're getting at: That looks like an awfully small amount of powder sitting in the shell. I was concerened about this as well(7.0 grs of unique looks awfully small in a 44 mag case). Here's what I found out: Bullseye is one of, if not THE fastest burning powder out there. So a small amount builds A LOT of pressure really quickly. PRESSURE is what pushes the bullet. So: If 3.5gr of bullseye builds the same pressure in the 38 case as 10gr of powder X, the end result is the same, only the method of getting there differs. Make sense? __________________ From my cold dead hands......... NRA certified rifle, pistol and shotgun instructor. Hunter education instructor

November 26, 2001, 11:39 PM	#5
Freedom in theSkies Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2001 Location: The "Nice Dictatorship" of Canada Posts: 250	Sounds a bit warm. Are you leading the barrel at all? __________________ Live in peace... But defend it...Embrace it... But never take it for granted...

November 27, 2001, 12:52 PM	#6
swabjocky Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2001 Location: upstate sc Posts: 384	LOW POWDER CHARGES THANKS GUYS.THAT ANSWERED MY QUESTION.I DONT GET LEADING BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS LEFT BREAKFREE IN THE BARREL AFTER CLEANING.IT SEEMS TO COAT THE BARREL INSIDE AND DOES NOT LEAD.I SHOOT WHEELWEIGHTS AS IS WITH NOTHING ADDED. SWAB

November 25, 2001, 05:11 PM	#2
Blarneystone Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2001 Posts: 152	what have you asked about low powder charges in the past that concerns you? I'd say if it works great then, cool no problem then. Go with what works. I, myself was throwing VERY low powder charges using the lee dippers, so I shot a bunch of squibs that got caught in the barrel. So that's about the only drawback I'd see for low loads. I've heard some people complain about blowback, but I haven't seen too much of that.

November 25, 2001, 05:49 PM	#3
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Sounds like a decent mid range target load to me. If your gun likes it, run with it. Sam