Longshot powder-who has tried it?

SQUAREKNOT · May 3, 2010, 08:24 PM

I was looking at the Hodgdon web site @
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
I noticed that LONGSHOT powder in .40 .45 .357 in most every jacketed bullet weight for each gave almost max velocities using the starting loads.
I bought some and have been playing with its ability to meter with my powder dump. I have a REDDING using the small pistol micrometer and
it meters well with loads starting @ 6.0grs anything larger metered right on.
The reason I mention this is the very low pressures the min loads generate.
In the .40 cal 155gr (from memory now) you get 1240fps @ 25,000 psi
most max loads are around 32,000+ and very little faster if at all.
Anyone tried the stuff?

bedlamite · May 3, 2010, 09:00 PM

I've been using it for almost 9 years now. I still load the 135gr on 11.0gr of Longshot, and it produces 1450fps from my Beretta. Hodgdon has backed off on the max loads, 135gr in 40 s&W used to be 12.0gr, now it's 11.5gr.

Longshot wasn't impressive in .357, and in my dad's 45, it produced more muzzle blast than velocity.

WESHOOT2 · May 3, 2010, 09:22 PM

I tested it in certain chamberings (bought for 40 and 10mm), but found no benefit nor advantage; I still have hopes for it in 9x19, but I already have so many superb loads for that cartridge I've had zero motivation to test.

jeffreybehr · May 4, 2010, 12:00 PM

I too noticed those data, and I bought a big jug, along with WSF, to reload .40S&W. In fact it works quite well in that caliber and in 357SIG, my new carry gun. It's a little slow for my .45GAPs.

Try it; you may well love it.

asavo757 · May 4, 2010, 02:16 PM

I use longshot for a while in 9mm and just started with 357 sig clean burn and real snappy. A winner for me!

freakshow10mm · May 4, 2010, 02:49 PM

Longshot is HS7 reformulated. I love it in 10mm. Does well in 9mm and .40 as well, not so much in .45 ACP though. Respectable in the SIG too. Good for heavy 20ga shotgun loads as well. Longshot and WSF, for that matter, are always welcome on my bench.

FullCry · May 4, 2010, 03:20 PM

I use it in 44mag loads with Berry bullets. In the 44 it has low to mid range velocities. There's a lot of other powders out there for heavy loads in this cal.

Clark · May 5, 2010, 01:07 AM

I have done various longshot in handguns experiments and one 45acp rifle experiment.

I have blown up a Colt 32sw long cylinder and an RG 38 special cylinder with LONGSHOT.

I have never found a useful load that Power Pistol could not do better.

I think I found one load where more LONGSHOT got wimpier the more I added. That was probably 9x23mm with a light bullet.

steve4102 · May 5, 2010, 06:35 AM

Quote:

I think I found one load where more LONGSHOT got wimpier the more I added.

Not sure what you mean by "wimpier", but in my 10MM's there is a point were adding more LS velocities will decrease. I consider this point Max in my pistols.

FullCry · May 5, 2010, 07:36 AM

No offense Clark, but how did you blow up so many cyls. with Longshot then found a wimpier load?

SQUAREKNOT · May 5, 2010, 08:46 AM

I try not to do that! What I saw was the minimum loads had high velocity
and LOW pressures. I will probably run the loads hotter and see what happens. I suspect LS pressures tend to run up fast. Any way I will probably shoot the min loads as they are enough to do any job and easy on the guns.

freakshow10mm · May 5, 2010, 08:51 AM

One example, is in the 10mm Automatic cartridge using a 180gr JHP and Hodgdon's data. Max load is 9.5gr. However 9.2gr is about the fastest velocity anyone has really found within that data set. Adding more powder beyond 9.2gr has no increase in velocity thus the point of diminishing return until you venture way beyond the published max load in the manual and severe recoil starts to be the threshold, not the brass or the gun.

The one load I've yet to find a powder that will beat it, is the 10mm 180gr XTP with 9.2gr of LS set to 1.260 lit by a CCI350 primer. The most accurate load I've had the pleasure of shooting in all my 10mm guns I've owned and built and that load is my current carry load in my Kimber Pro Carry 10mm commander. Does about 1250fps in my 4.25 Commander (it's known as a "fast" barrel giving 5 inch velocities most of the time).

The one powder I haven't tried yet with burn rate suited to use in the 10mm is Power Pistol. My next order of powder will include a sampler of it however.

Clark · May 5, 2010, 08:59 AM

If you believe the published load data, LONGSHOT is king.
If you believe the brass, Power Pistol is king.

freakshow10mm · May 5, 2010, 09:17 AM

I will have to try Power Pistol.

FullCry · May 5, 2010, 10:43 AM

Since we're now comparing other powders to Long shot, then what about LiL gun?

SQUAREKNOT · May 5, 2010, 07:12 PM

Ya, Lil Gun had some of the same type data. I'm trying to narrow my powders down to a couple. So far its 231/HP-38, Bullseye and now Longshot
maybe? I have to get into a 12 step program pretty soon for reloaders.
I hardly shoot anymore.

PaulTX · May 5, 2010, 09:51 PM

Longshot is my favorite powder for the .40 S&W.

Paul

steve4102 · May 6, 2010, 12:26 AM

Quote:

One example, is in the 10mm Automatic cartridge using a 180gr JHP and Hodgdon's data. Max load is 9.5gr. However 9.2gr is about the fastest velocity anyone has really found within that data set. Adding more powder beyond 9.2gr has no increase in velocity thus the point of diminishing return until you venture way beyond the published max load in the manual and severe recoil starts to be the threshold, not the brass or the gun.

These are my findings exactly! 9.2gr LS is max velocity in my 1911 and EAA.

SQUAREKNOT · May 6, 2010, 09:42 AM

That is real nice of you to post that load results. It seems Longshot is a great powder but you have to do your homework. I'm cleaning up about 6000 .40 cal brass and then will get to doing my homework. I got lucky and bought this batch for $60.00 for once Glocked brass

SQUAREKNOT · May 12, 2010, 09:18 PM

The weather finally cleared up to the point I could try my .40 cal 135gr Noslers using LONGSHOT powder. I didn't crony but they seemed to be a higher vel load and this was Hodgdens starting load of 8.5grs. with an indicated vel of 1240fps (sort fo a light .357 mag) I shot all the 20 rounds I loaded-EVERYONE HAD THE OUTSIDE OF THE CASING COVERED IN SOOT. In other words they were not hot enough to seal the chamber. They did pretty much one hole at 25 feet offhand with no pressure signs. Next
try will be something in the mid range and I will get the vel. All signs look to be a great carry load for the KAHR CW40

Replay13 · May 12, 2010, 11:53 PM

I use longshot in a XDM 40. Close to a max charge with a 155 gr XPT runs 1293 in my gun. I dropped the charge to 8.6grs and that ran 1248.. thats the charge that I use now. I also use just over a starting charge 7.7 grs with a 155 gr Berry flat point bullet for 1167 fps. Accuracy at 25 yrds is very good.

I have expermented with close to max loads and th 125 gr nosler bullets, they was impressive at 1364 fps! But I didn't feel good about how the case was holding the bullet. If I didn't expand the case and didn't crimp the case I could still get a few thousands setback just hard cycling the round. Just don't believe the Nosler book and try a firm crimp! That just makes things worse.. lol. Better yet try it for yourself.... load a few dummy rounds and the measure the OAL after every cycle for say 10 times with and without crimp. Anyways back to the topic, I like the longshot!

Control on my chronograph... Fedral AE 155 gr run at 1200. All velocities are a average of 8 shots.

May 3, 2010, 08:24 PM	#1
SQUAREKNOT Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2008 Posts: 263	Longshot powder-who has tried it? I was looking at the Hodgdon web site @ http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp I noticed that LONGSHOT powder in .40 .45 .357 in most every jacketed bullet weight for each gave almost max velocities using the starting loads. I bought some and have been playing with its ability to meter with my powder dump. I have a REDDING using the small pistol micrometer and it meters well with loads starting @ 6.0grs anything larger metered right on. The reason I mention this is the very low pressures the min loads generate. In the .40 cal 155gr (from memory now) you get 1240fps @ 25,000 psi most max loads are around 32,000+ and very little faster if at all. Anyone tried the stuff?

May 3, 2010, 09:00 PM	#2
bedlamite Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: WI Posts: 1,395	I've been using it for almost 9 years now. I still load the 135gr on 11.0gr of Longshot, and it produces 1450fps from my Beretta. Hodgdon has backed off on the max loads, 135gr in 40 s&W used to be 12.0gr, now it's 11.5gr. Longshot wasn't impressive in .357, and in my dad's 45, it produced more muzzle blast than velocity. __________________ A plan is just a list of things that doesn't happen.

May 3, 2010, 09:22 PM	#3
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	another option I tested it in certain chamberings (bought for 40 and 10mm), but found no benefit nor advantage; I still have hopes for it in 9x19, but I already have so many superb loads for that cartridge I've had zero motivation to test. __________________ . "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo"

May 5, 2010, 08:46 AM	#11
SQUAREKNOT Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2008 Posts: 263	blowing up guns? I try not to do that! What I saw was the minimum loads had high velocity and LOW pressures. I will probably run the loads hotter and see what happens. I suspect LS pressures tend to run up fast. Any way I will probably shoot the min loads as they are enough to do any job and easy on the guns.

May 5, 2010, 07:12 PM	#16
SQUAREKNOT Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2008 Posts: 263	Since we're now comparing other powders to Long shot, then what about LiL gun? Ya, Lil Gun had some of the same type data. I'm trying to narrow my powders down to a couple. So far its 231/HP-38, Bullseye and now Longshot maybe? I have to get into a 12 step program pretty soon for reloaders. I hardly shoot anymore.

May 4, 2010, 12:00 PM	#4
jeffreybehr Member Join Date: March 2, 2009 Posts: 83	I too noticed those data, and I bought a big jug, along with WSF, to reload .40S&W. In fact it works quite well in that caliber and in 357SIG, my new carry gun. It's a little slow for my .45GAPs. Try it; you may well love it.

May 4, 2010, 02:16 PM	#5
asavo757 Member Join Date: May 3, 2010 Location: saylorsburg pa Posts: 39	I use longshot for a while in 9mm and just started with 357 sig clean burn and real snappy. A winner for me!

May 4, 2010, 02:49 PM	#6
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	Longshot is HS7 reformulated. I love it in 10mm. Does well in 9mm and .40 as well, not so much in .45 ACP though. Respectable in the SIG too. Good for heavy 20ga shotgun loads as well. Longshot and WSF, for that matter, are always welcome on my bench.

May 4, 2010, 03:20 PM	#7
FullCry Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Posts: 155	I use it in 44mag loads with Berry bullets. In the 44 it has low to mid range velocities. There's a lot of other powders out there for heavy loads in this cal.

May 5, 2010, 01:07 AM	#8
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I have done various longshot in handguns experiments and one 45acp rifle experiment. I have blown up a Colt 32sw long cylinder and an RG 38 special cylinder with LONGSHOT. I have never found a useful load that Power Pistol could not do better. I think I found one load where more LONGSHOT got wimpier the more I added. That was probably 9x23mm with a light bullet.

May 5, 2010, 07:36 AM	#10
FullCry Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Posts: 155	No offense Clark, but how did you blow up so many cyls. with Longshot then found a wimpier load?

May 5, 2010, 08:51 AM	#12
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	One example, is in the 10mm Automatic cartridge using a 180gr JHP and Hodgdon's data. Max load is 9.5gr. However 9.2gr is about the fastest velocity anyone has really found within that data set. Adding more powder beyond 9.2gr has no increase in velocity thus the point of diminishing return until you venture way beyond the published max load in the manual and severe recoil starts to be the threshold, not the brass or the gun. The one load I've yet to find a powder that will beat it, is the 10mm 180gr XTP with 9.2gr of LS set to 1.260 lit by a CCI350 primer. The most accurate load I've had the pleasure of shooting in all my 10mm guns I've owned and built and that load is my current carry load in my Kimber Pro Carry 10mm commander. Does about 1250fps in my 4.25 Commander (it's known as a "fast" barrel giving 5 inch velocities most of the time). The one powder I haven't tried yet with burn rate suited to use in the 10mm is Power Pistol. My next order of powder will include a sampler of it however.

May 5, 2010, 08:59 AM	#13
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	If you believe the published load data, LONGSHOT is king. If you believe the brass, Power Pistol is king.

May 5, 2010, 09:17 AM	#14
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	I will have to try Power Pistol.

May 5, 2010, 10:43 AM	#15
FullCry Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2010 Posts: 155	Since we're now comparing other powders to Long shot, then what about LiL gun?

May 5, 2010, 09:51 PM	#17
PaulTX Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 1999 Location: Denton, TX Posts: 107	Longshot is my favorite powder for the .40 S&W. Paul

May 6, 2010, 09:42 AM	#19
SQUAREKNOT Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2008 Posts: 263	Bedlamite That is real nice of you to post that load results. It seems Longshot is a great powder but you have to do your homework. I'm cleaning up about 6000 .40 cal brass and then will get to doing my homework. I got lucky and bought this batch for $60.00 for once Glocked brass

May 12, 2010, 09:18 PM	#20
SQUAREKNOT Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2008 Posts: 263	The weather finally cleared up to the point I could try my .40 cal 135gr Noslers using LONGSHOT powder. I didn't crony but they seemed to be a higher vel load and this was Hodgdens starting load of 8.5grs. with an indicated vel of 1240fps (sort fo a light .357 mag) I shot all the 20 rounds I loaded-EVERYONE HAD THE OUTSIDE OF THE CASING COVERED IN SOOT. In other words they were not hot enough to seal the chamber. They did pretty much one hole at 25 feet offhand with no pressure signs. Next try will be something in the mid range and I will get the vel. All signs look to be a great carry load for the KAHR CW40

May 12, 2010, 11:53 PM	#21
Replay13 Junior Member Join Date: April 26, 2010 Posts: 9	I use longshot in a XDM 40. Close to a max charge with a 155 gr XPT runs 1293 in my gun. I dropped the charge to 8.6grs and that ran 1248.. thats the charge that I use now. I also use just over a starting charge 7.7 grs with a 155 gr Berry flat point bullet for 1167 fps. Accuracy at 25 yrds is very good. I have expermented with close to max loads and th 125 gr nosler bullets, they was impressive at 1364 fps! But I didn't feel good about how the case was holding the bullet. If I didn't expand the case and didn't crimp the case I could still get a few thousands setback just hard cycling the round. Just don't believe the Nosler book and try a firm crimp! That just makes things worse.. lol. Better yet try it for yourself.... load a few dummy rounds and the measure the OAL after every cycle for say 10 times with and without crimp. Anyways back to the topic, I like the longshot! Control on my chronograph... Fedral AE 155 gr run at 1200. All velocities are a average of 8 shots.