Skeeter Skelton

salvadore · August 15, 2008, 12:35 PM

Does anyone have a clue as to what pressure Skeeter's load of 13.5 gr. of 2400 in a .38 special case topped by a 358156 bullet is?

Stumper · August 15, 2008, 02:51 PM

A clue? Yes. That charge under a358439 was Elmer keiths 38/44 loading that led to the .357 Magnum. it was tested at 42k CUP. Skeeter's load was a bit lighter in weight but is still a .357 pressure level load. I have little doubt that it produced somewhere between 30k and 42K psi.-Prabably toward the lower end as measured by electronic methods.

salvadore · August 15, 2008, 04:41 PM

Thanks Stumper, I figured close to the 40,000 cup range, mine are about 160 gr., I dont know what the 358439 weighs (hollow point version of 358429?).

res45 · August 16, 2008, 01:32 AM

http://www.lasc.us/FryxellSkeetersBullets.htm

http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=21

salvadore · August 16, 2008, 12:12 PM

Thanks Res45, I have been to both of those sites, and I believe the Kieth load would have been with a 170gr. 358429. It's been a while since I have read his stuff, but don't recall him being a cast hollow point guy. It surprises me that 2400 would be faster burning than previous just for litigous reasons. Currently I load winchester +P nickel brass with the 358156 over 13.5 grains of 2400 and put them in my model 60 3" as a fairly inadequate but convenient bear gun. Primers look like my .357 125gr. full house loads, flat, but not FLATTT.

Stumper · August 16, 2008, 01:51 PM

Salvadore, Pardon my mental lapse- I did indeed mean the 358429. Keith often refered to this as a 173 grain bullet so I assume that is what his mould and preffered alloy threw. In my mould with a soft "range scrap" alloy I get 175 grains. Lyman calls it a 168 grain bullet. In any event Skeeter's bullet was probably12-15 grains lighter than Elmer's but had a similar seating depth in the case due to the different design.

salvadore · August 16, 2008, 10:20 PM

Stumper, I crimp in the first groove a la skeeter and dont think it is as deep as the 358429, but I get your point. This kind of information (pressures, or suspected pressures), use to be available 30 years ago, but seems to have disappeared due to litigation. Thanks again for the information.

August 15, 2008, 12:35 PM	#1
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Skeeter Skelton Does anyone have a clue as to what pressure Skeeter's load of 13.5 gr. of 2400 in a .38 special case topped by a 358156 bullet is?

August 15, 2008, 02:51 PM	#2
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 438	A clue? Yes. That charge under a358439 was Elmer keiths 38/44 loading that led to the .357 Magnum. it was tested at 42k CUP. Skeeter's load was a bit lighter in weight but is still a .357 pressure level load. I have little doubt that it produced somewhere between 30k and 42K psi.-Prabably toward the lower end as measured by electronic methods. __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

August 16, 2008, 01:32 AM	#4
res45 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 753	http://www.lasc.us/FryxellSkeetersBullets.htm http://www.handloads.com/articles/default.asp?id=21 __________________ The Reloaders Network discord Channel https://discord.gg/Nafuzht

August 16, 2008, 01:51 PM	#6
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 438	Salvadore, Pardon my mental lapse- I did indeed mean the 358429. Keith often refered to this as a 173 grain bullet so I assume that is what his mould and preffered alloy threw. In my mould with a soft "range scrap" alloy I get 175 grains. Lyman calls it a 168 grain bullet. In any event Skeeter's bullet was probably12-15 grains lighter than Elmer's but had a similar seating depth in the case due to the different design. __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

August 15, 2008, 04:41 PM	#3
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Thanks Stumper, I figured close to the 40,000 cup range, mine are about 160 gr., I dont know what the 358439 weighs (hollow point version of 358429?).

August 16, 2008, 12:12 PM	#5
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Thanks Res45, I have been to both of those sites, and I believe the Kieth load would have been with a 170gr. 358429. It's been a while since I have read his stuff, but don't recall him being a cast hollow point guy. It surprises me that 2400 would be faster burning than previous just for litigous reasons. Currently I load winchester +P nickel brass with the 358156 over 13.5 grains of 2400 and put them in my model 60 3" as a fairly inadequate but convenient bear gun. Primers look like my .357 125gr. full house loads, flat, but not FLATTT.

August 16, 2008, 10:20 PM	#7
salvadore Junior member Join Date: January 1, 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 2,282	Stumper, I crimp in the first groove a la skeeter and dont think it is as deep as the 358429, but I get your point. This kind of information (pressures, or suspected pressures), use to be available 30 years ago, but seems to have disappeared due to litigation. Thanks again for the information.