Dumb question about load data

zxcvbob · October 1, 2008, 01:19 AM

I like to load cartridge towards the high end of thier range. I like a lot of recoil -- although the .45 Colt +P makes me flinch if I shoot too many W-296 loads at once, so I gotta be careful with that one. Anyway...

I shoot in a .22 Bullseye pistol league, and I've just started also shooting a .38 Special. My .38 shooting really sucks, although it was a little better tonight. Slow fire is OK, then timed fire opens up a little, then rapid fire falls totally apart.

The loads I was using (125 grain cast bullet, seated long, and 4.5 grains of Green Dot until I ran out, then switched to 4.0 grains of Titegroup) is too hot for me to get back on target quickly. One of my buddies said he could feel the concussion when I shot from 3 lanes over.

I'm not sure if it's really the recoil or the clock that's messin' with me.

If I reduce that dramatically, will shooting from the low end of the load data affect accuracy? My bullets aren't going to start keyholing if I load them down to 600-ish fps instead of 950-ish are they? BTW, I'm casting my own bullets, and I have a 125 grain TC mold and a 158 grain WFN, but I don't have a wadcutter mold.

I don't really like gaming it by shooting pansy loads, but once I get better I can start increasing the powder again.

(See, I told you it was dumb.) Thanks.

SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 · October 1, 2008, 02:54 AM

G'day. As impressive as a big bang might be, if you can't hit the target with hot loads just keep shooting. Others might get a laugh at your expence.

There are three rules to training.Practice, Practice and more Practice.

Gecko10 · October 1, 2008, 06:43 AM

FWIW. I was developing a .38 Spl Cowboy load about 2 months ago. I was using a 125gr RNFP, bullet, Fed primer and Clays. As I approached the low end of the load range my revolvers (5.5" bbl) began to keyhole. Of course the rifle (19" bbl) didn't. Eventually I found the best load for my guns (no keyholing, low recoil, good accuracy) was about 30% above the minimum Clays load.

kraigwy · October 1, 2008, 08:52 AM

lol I bet you're popular at bullseye matches. I bet if you ask around you'll find fast isn't accurate where bulleye shooters are concerned. I shoot 148 gn wc's with 3 grns of 231 in my Smith 52 center fire gun. It works fine at 50 yards and low enough in the recoil department for timed and rapid fire.

Step back and see what the good shooters are shooting. Even in the 22 stage. lot of those guys shoot 22 long rifle at 50 yard SF but go to 22 shorts at Timed and Rapid.

Even in 45 I dont shoot hot loads, I use 4 gns of 231 pusing a 230 grn cast RN bullet.

Way to influnce shooters at a 2700 match is shoot magnums in the center fire event.

Anyway if you really want to work on your TF & RF, back off on the powder and get a copy of the USAMU Pistol Marksmanship Guide. I just happen to have it on .pdf file, if interested pm me with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you.

For kicks take in a ISU Rapid fire match. They shoot a bank of 5 targets, three times, 7 sec, 5 sec, and 3 sec. You wont see any 22 long rifles there, its all 22 shorts. I shoot a Hi Standard Victor. I didnt know it had recoil until I tried to shoot the ISU Rapid Fire.

TEDDY · October 1, 2008, 11:55 AM

High end loads can get people peaved at you.no body likes muzzel blast at target range.
I use bullseye/700X. 148 gr hbwc and 2.8 gr in my 52,much more and it will blow the base out.the same load in my S&W mod 10 except 148 gr wadcutter.45 acp 3.6 bull/700X with 200 gr swc.the 125 gr is light and may not burn right.
I load military cal. with red dot and cast.exp 30/06 13 gr red dot , lead bullet[lee 312-160-TL or lyman 311291 ]

October 1, 2008, 01:19 AM	#1
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	Dumb question about load data I like to load cartridge towards the high end of thier range. I like a lot of recoil -- although the .45 Colt +P makes me flinch if I shoot too many W-296 loads at once, so I gotta be careful with that one. Anyway... I shoot in a .22 Bullseye pistol league, and I've just started also shooting a .38 Special. My .38 shooting really sucks, although it was a little better tonight. Slow fire is OK, then timed fire opens up a little, then rapid fire falls totally apart. The loads I was using (125 grain cast bullet, seated long, and 4.5 grains of Green Dot until I ran out, then switched to 4.0 grains of Titegroup) is too hot for me to get back on target quickly. One of my buddies said he could feel the concussion when I shot from 3 lanes over. I'm not sure if it's really the recoil or the clock that's messin' with me. If I reduce that dramatically, will shooting from the low end of the load data affect accuracy? My bullets aren't going to start keyholing if I load them down to 600-ish fps instead of 950-ish are they? BTW, I'm casting my own bullets, and I have a 125 grain TC mold and a 158 grain WFN, but I don't have a wadcutter mold. I don't really like gaming it by shooting pansy loads, but once I get better I can start increasing the powder again. (See, I told you it was dumb.) Thanks. __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

October 1, 2008, 11:55 AM	#5
TEDDY Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2006 Location: MANNING SC Posts: 837	safety/common sense High end loads can get people peaved at you.no body likes muzzel blast at target range. I use bullseye/700X. 148 gr hbwc and 2.8 gr in my 52,much more and it will blow the base out.the same load in my S&W mod 10 except 148 gr wadcutter.45 acp 3.6 bull/700X with 200 gr swc.the 125 gr is light and may not burn right. I load military cal. with red dot and cast.exp 30/06 13 gr red dot , lead bullet[lee 312-160-TL or lyman 311291 ]

October 1, 2008, 02:54 AM	#2
SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Location: Far Nth Wst QLD Australia Posts: 992	G'day. As impressive as a big bang might be, if you can't hit the target with hot loads just keep shooting. Others might get a laugh at your expence. There are three rules to training.Practice, Practice and more Practice.

October 1, 2008, 06:43 AM	#3
Gecko10 Member Join Date: July 18, 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 46	FWIW. I was developing a .38 Spl Cowboy load about 2 months ago. I was using a 125gr RNFP, bullet, Fed primer and Clays. As I approached the low end of the load range my revolvers (5.5" bbl) began to keyhole. Of course the rifle (19" bbl) didn't. Eventually I found the best load for my guns (no keyholing, low recoil, good accuracy) was about 30% above the minimum Clays load.

October 1, 2008, 08:52 AM	#4
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,060	lol I bet you're popular at bullseye matches. I bet if you ask around you'll find fast isn't accurate where bulleye shooters are concerned. I shoot 148 gn wc's with 3 grns of 231 in my Smith 52 center fire gun. It works fine at 50 yards and low enough in the recoil department for timed and rapid fire. Step back and see what the good shooters are shooting. Even in the 22 stage. lot of those guys shoot 22 long rifle at 50 yard SF but go to 22 shorts at Timed and Rapid. Even in 45 I dont shoot hot loads, I use 4 gns of 231 pusing a 230 grn cast RN bullet. Way to influnce shooters at a 2700 match is shoot magnums in the center fire event. Anyway if you really want to work on your TF & RF, back off on the powder and get a copy of the USAMU Pistol Marksmanship Guide. I just happen to have it on .pdf file, if interested pm me with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you. For kicks take in a ISU Rapid fire match. They shoot a bank of 5 targets, three times, 7 sec, 5 sec, and 3 sec. You wont see any 22 long rifles there, its all 22 shorts. I shoot a Hi Standard Victor. I didnt know it had recoil until I tried to shoot the ISU Rapid Fire.