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August 29, 2013, 03:19 PM | #1 |
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good low/mid range loads for plated bullets
I've been looking for low/mid loads for 357 with berrys plated 158gr rn. I've been using blue dot cuz it's what i have on hand. I'm heading to a gun show this wknd to see about getting faster powders. Also, this "faster" powder will be used on other calibers 9, 45acp once the right gun fits my hand "just" right. I have always used jacketed bullets so i have BD & 300-mp on hand, but these push plated a little fast. Downloading BD to 8.5gr puts them in @ 1075fps, which is ok but, it's downloaded and i feel it's got erratic qualities.
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August 29, 2013, 06:52 PM | #2 |
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700x works for nice midrange loads....not too dirty either.
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August 29, 2013, 08:07 PM | #3 |
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5.4 grains of Titegroup is a nice easy load for that bullet. Good luck finding powder.
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August 29, 2013, 10:22 PM | #4 |
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In the "fast" range, I use Bullseye, Win 231, & AA2 (from fast to slower). They're all good powders but have their own personality.
Bullseye is fast fast fast. It is strictly a target load powder and is used by most in 38 Spl wadcutters and the like at least 90% of the time. I am no exception. Winchester 231 seems to perform quite well in 45 ACP applications. My primary target round is 5.0g w/ 200g LSWC. And I have many jacketed loadings that use W231 in 45 as well. I also use 231 a lot with 38 semi-wadcutters - 158g, LSWC; 4.0g. I use it a lot in 9mm too. But it's most comfortable in the 45 auto, I think. It doesn't seem to like 357 Mag for some reason. I get pressure problems on the low end of the manuals' recommendations - so I just stopped loading it for 357. I have the least experience with AA2, but it seems to do really nice with 357 Mag. Surprisingly, 8.0g w/ 125g JHP yields about 1100 fps through a 3" bbl, and does so with minimal flash. I use it for other stuff too; and will continue to experiment with it. One thing I noticed about AA2 - and this is difficult to describe - but it seems to be more forgiving than B'eye and 231. Its little bit of extra "slowness" seems to make it where it's a lot less likely to pressure spike. AA2 is a good powder. I like it a lot so far. And it meters better than ANY powder I've ever used - hands down.
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August 29, 2013, 10:31 PM | #5 |
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With 158's, you might want to consider "medium" speed powders. The two I use is HS-6 and AA5. They bear no resemblance to each-other.
HS-6 is great powder but it needs to be loaded up higher in the pressure range, or it burns dirty. Real dirty. I use it for 45 ACP a lot for high-performance rounds, but it took some time tweaking the recipes to get the loads to burn clean. But those clean loads also yield some rockin' rounds. AA5 is much cleaner and versatile. And since you're loading 357, if you find some, grab it. Good stuff. You can load lead 158's as (realistically) hot as you'll ever need them. Meters really well too - second only to it's faster brother, AA2.
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August 29, 2013, 10:42 PM | #6 |
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True Blue www.ramshot.com
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August 29, 2013, 10:47 PM | #7 |
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(I keep chiming in with separate posts because I'm at work lol)
Yes, Blue Dot is finicky. For a slow powder, it's prone to pressure spikes and can react counter-intuitively. I can't believe 30 years ago, when I first started loading, I cut my teeth with Blue Dot - and didn't blow up any of my guns. Just lucky, I guess. Anyway, if loaded properly, I'm sure BD good powder - great, in some applications, actually. I didn't mean to knock it, but I'll stick with Power Pistol, thank you :-) When you find a new powder, let us know what you got. If you have a specific powder, I'm sure many will share load data for it.
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August 30, 2013, 12:56 AM | #8 |
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Your prolly right about not finding powder. I've got fingers crossed that i come up with something. Wouldn't mama just love it "if" i came home with a new noise maker?
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August 30, 2013, 01:18 AM | #9 | |
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Quote:
My pet load with 158 grain plated bullets is 6.5 grains of SR-4756 and a magnum primer. Should be right around 950-1,000 fps. HS-6 works well, but is very dirty. SR-4756 is super clean. No greasy residue on the gun and no unburned powder. Meters well too. My old favorite was Universal, but I don't think you're going to find that. |
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August 30, 2013, 02:43 AM | #10 |
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CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.
I use SR 7625 for 158 grain lead mid range loads, I use it at up to MAX 6.7 grains of powder under a 158 grain lead bullet. If I want the same bullet with more power I switch to a H110 or WC 820 recipe.
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August 30, 2013, 05:36 AM | #11 |
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Hodgdon Universal (try a start of 5.2g under that plated 158g).
Works well in 9x19 and 45 ACP, too.
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August 31, 2013, 03:39 PM | #12 |
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got back from the gun show........I scored some unique & power pistol. Prolly found it cuz when the doors opened @ 9am, I was already walking with it bagged by 9:10. In those 10 mins, I heard more of the "i have this.... got it for that $"...etc. While trying these newly acquired propellents, will it make a big difference if I use std primer vs mag primer? Remember these are berrys plated 158gr RN, so sub-1200fps.
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August 31, 2013, 04:34 PM | #13 |
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Stick with standard primers if you have them, magnums are needed for hard-to-ignite powders like H110. But if you have no standard primers, it's OK to use magnum primers.
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September 1, 2013, 06:55 AM | #14 |
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Both Unique and Power Pistol will work with either type primer for your intended loads.
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September 1, 2013, 07:40 AM | #15 |
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Thanks for your inputs guys.
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September 1, 2013, 04:54 PM | #16 |
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Asked this question before. Since Berry's or Rainier plated bullets have no crimping groove do you use a taper crimp die with them?
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September 1, 2013, 05:31 PM | #17 |
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My understanding is a taper crimp is not for a bullet with a crimp groove. A taper crimp's purpose is to remove the case flare typically needed for plated bullets. Only bullets with a groove require a roll crimp.
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September 1, 2013, 05:36 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
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September 1, 2013, 06:39 PM | #19 |
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I finally broke down & got a bullet puller. I fitted an EMPTY cartridge w/bullet seated and crimped, then pulled it to check the crimp. Glad to see a 'light' ring around the plating and not 'cut thru' like i've read others have done. I did load up a few test rounds with both unique and power pistol. I only chronoed them to check velocity (good light plinker speed). Now to load up a couple cylinder fulls to watch the 'grouping'. Another great reason to bring the kids shooting
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September 1, 2013, 08:55 PM | #20 | |
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Quote:
Recovered bullets show a crease in the plating at the crimp, but I've never seen any peeling or cutting. |
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