|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
February 9, 2017, 06:26 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 31, 2000
Posts: 179
|
Maxing out on .357 mag velocities...is this normal?
In the past I've either shot cheap store bought ammo in my 4" GP100, or some low power plinking lead bullet rounds I loaded up (around 900fps).
I decided to try my hand at loading up some heavy magnum loads with W296 and 158gr hard cast coated bullets. The reloading data for H100/W296 is all over the place. I decided to use 15.0gr as my starting load, and work my way up to 16.7 (Hodgsons listed max). I even loaded up a few 17.0 and 17.2 gr loads to shoot if I didn't see any pressure signs with the 16.7. I started off with the 15gr loads (around 1230 fps), and worked my way up. Around 16.5gr the velocities stopped climbing and stayed right around 1380fps, all the way up to the 17.2 gr loads...still around 1380-ish. Is that normal for the velocities to stop climbing even when you are going larger on the powder charge? |
February 9, 2017, 07:42 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 24, 2011
Posts: 1,427
|
You just hit the wall and are getting into proof pressure territory. Yes this happens.... when your velocity gains diminish or stop you are at or passing max. pressure.
Now is a good time to back up a few steps; as in back down to book max. or even a touch below. I would consider 16.5 max for your gun. |
February 9, 2017, 07:46 PM | #3 |
Member
Join Date: October 15, 2016
Posts: 64
|
I ls loaded the same recently. Did not go past 16.7 but noticed diminishing returns in velocity as the charge increased. My assumption was not enough barrel to burn more powder (4 inch Ruger).
|
February 9, 2017, 08:03 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 5,523
|
You're way over max
Yeah as SHR970 said, you're way up there and need to back off the charge weights.
If you were loading jacketed bullets, you may have ended up with a severely damaged gun (or worse). Lead makes the trip through the barrel with less pressure buildup behind it. And on the high end (where you're loading), W296 is about as forgiving as any pistol propellant. Between the two, you may have dodged a bullet - uhh, so to speak. It's a bit of apples-n-oranges, but my max load with a 158 grain bullet (jacketed though), and W296, yields about 1275 f/s (4" bbl). Now if I were to exchange that jacketed bullet with a lead slug (which I wouldn't even consider), the velocities would be higher - so the comparison is difficult. At those pressures/velocities, your gun's barrel must be a leaded up mess. I'd never push a lead slug that hard. But then, I don't load lead at all in 357 Magnum. My lightest range shooter loads are plated. And everything above those are jacketed. But that's just me.
__________________
Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association |
February 9, 2017, 08:07 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 11, 2012
Posts: 384
|
I've always just loaded the minimum charge weight listed in the manual for H110 and found those levels to be all I need to get the full effect of a 44 or 357. If you look at the numbers there's not much difference from the top and bottom of the H110/W296 load range as far as velocity is concerned. Try the low end.....you'll be satisfied with the results and you'll save a little powder along the way.
|
February 9, 2017, 08:09 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 31, 2000
Posts: 179
|
Thanks for all the info guys. Yes, I'm going to go with 16.5grains for my loads. Good velocity, and I'm a little under max loads.
By the way....the bullets I'm shooting are powder coated, and I was told that they are good up to around 1500pfs before you run into leading issues. The barrel doesn't really look that bad after my 50 test rounds. It looks much cleaner than running 50 of my low velocity plinking rounds through it.....but those bullets are a little softer, and not coated. |
February 9, 2017, 08:14 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 5,523
|
W296 is kinda funny stuff. It doesn't like to be downloaded, and it doesn't yield higher performance when it's overloaded. It just has a sweet spot; and that's where you should run it. A bit oversimplified, but basically, that's how it behaves.
My above-mentioned 158 jacketed W296 load is in that 16.5 neighborhood you just mentioned. Probably a good spot for it. Load safe.
__________________
Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association |
February 9, 2017, 08:50 PM | #8 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 22, 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 3,624
|
Quote:
__________________
Cherish our flag, honor it, defend it in word and deed, or get the hell out. Our Bill of Rights has been paid for by heros in uniform and shall not be diluted by misguided governmental social experiments. We owe this to our children, anything less is cowardice. USAF FAC, 5th Spl Forces, Vietnam Vet '69-'73. |
|
February 9, 2017, 11:54 PM | #9 | |
Staff
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 28,846
|
Quote:
HOWEVER, improper sizing (no matter what the alloy) can result in a badly leaded barrel at SUBSONIC speeds and higher. In short, its gotta be the right stuff for the speed and its gotta fit right, or it will lead the bore. Lots of people go into loading cast bullets with their eyes wide shut, lead up a bore badly, and decide to never shoot lead again. For them, there is no help. As for topping out at about 1380ish fps, I don't think you'll get significantly higher velocity with any powder, even if you load up to pressures where you can't extract the fired cases. A 4" barrel simply does not have the length to allow slower powders to attain their top end speeds. To put it shortly, if you want more speed you will need a longer barrel. And, just FYI, 16.5 is half a grain above the listed max (jacketed) in Hornady 7th edition, and their top speed from an 8" Python with that load was 1250fps. Speer #11 (1987) lists 158 jacketed max 17.8gr with velocity of 1326fps from a 6" Ruger Security Six. If you look at other data, you will find other results.
__________________
All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better. |
|
February 10, 2017, 02:18 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 16, 2011
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,599
|
I shoot my NOE 180gr WFN powder coated cast bullets to 1650fps in a CVA Scout without any sign of leading...that is pretty well smoking for that heavy bullet, from a handgun. This load and gun are a real hammer for a .357...and laser accurate...the most accurate of any of my single shot hunting guns. This load is using 2400...tried the 296, but the accuracy starting going away with this bullet.
So, you can certainly push that load on up there as long as the details are right. Might want to consider the reason for doing it...might not be worth it for just target shooting...hunting, is a different situation. Although, it is not really necessary for hunting, if you are gonna limit the range to 50yds. Last edited by shootniron; February 10, 2017 at 02:25 AM. |
February 10, 2017, 01:08 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 5,523
|
QuickLoad
I went ahead and ran the 17.2 grains through QuickLoad.
According to QL, the situation isn't a dire as I originally thought (and as 44AMP has alluded). QL predicts 38.2Kpsi - for a jacketed bullet; it would probably be a little less for a lead bullet. That's only a little over SAAMI spec; and probably within the structural integrity of the firearm. But still, it is an over-pressure and should not done.
__________________
Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association |
February 10, 2017, 08:49 PM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 3, 2017
Posts: 1,583
|
The current SAAMI maximum average pressures for the 357 magnum are only 33000 psi they may be slightly over pressure but if you consider that the SAAMI pressures have been dropped first 5000 psi and then another 2000 psi, after S&W petitioned SAAMI because the loads were shaking the side covers off their smaller revolvers, you know that in a gun that can take the pressures (look at the Ruger and Contender loads) you have a considerable margin for higher loads.
If someone would like to run this through Quick Load here is a maximum load from older data: 357 magnum Remington case Speer 140 grain JHP OAL 1.59" 19.6 grains of Hodgdon H-110 6" revolver It might be interesting to see what QL says about that load. |
February 10, 2017, 09:01 PM | #13 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 5,523
|
Quote:
Quote:
That's my biggest gripe about QL - crummy bullet choices. I've run into the problem of not being able to find a comparable bullet a bunch of times.
__________________
Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association |
||
February 10, 2017, 09:27 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 3, 2017
Posts: 1,583
|
The Speer or Sierra 140 JHP/JHC are comparable. The older Speer 146 HP is also in the same powder capacity range. Beyond that the newest addition from Speer is a 135 grain bullet.
|
February 10, 2017, 09:50 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 21, 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 5,523
|
My QL only has four bullet choices for 357 - 110, 125, 148 LWC, and 158. Oh, and THREE 180 grain choices - because EVERYBODY loads bunches of 180's. It's displeasing.
__________________
Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association |
February 10, 2017, 10:56 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 3, 2017
Posts: 1,583
|
I am surprised that there isn't a convenient way to add bullets. Programmers usually use a database or XML format to keep lists like that.
Using the current pressure levels the 140 grain load is only 18 grains of H110 so the 19.6 grain load is 8.8% increase in powder. That should be close to 100% usage of available powder volume. I load just a half grain below the max because that was where I got the best accuracy. |
February 11, 2017, 12:19 AM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 24, 2011
Posts: 1,427
|
So the issue is that Quick load doesn't have the algorythms for plated as well as powder coated bullets. BFD!
The OP hit the wall using powder coated bullets. Quick Load pressure guesses are just that guesses since the algorythms don't take that type of bullet into account. Based on the OP's info he has hit a pressure wall. Whether or not it is just beyond or well beyond the firearms llimit is just conjecture at this point. Empirical evidence is that he hit a point that is in dangerous territory. Prudent action is to back off to where velocities are within norm and within published load levels. Without a pressure testing rig all we can do is utilize various signs of pressure levels. Flattening of velocity vis a vis load levels is one indication that you have hit the limit. |
February 12, 2017, 12:49 AM | #18 | ||
Staff
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 28,846
|
Quote:
Quote:
The OP does not mention any of the usual signs of high pressure (difficult extraction, flattened primers, case head expansion, etc.) so what empirical evidence are you using to determine he's in dangerous territory? He may well be in dangerous territory, but I don't see any evidence being presented that support that, so far. All we know is that he's reached a point where he's not getting more velocity when he adds more powder. being over SAAMI pressure limits does not automatically mean danger, it depends on the specific gun in question. SAAMI is made to be safe in EVERYTHING, and some guns will handle considerably more, in complete safety.
__________________
All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better. |
||
February 12, 2017, 07:08 AM | #19 |
Junior member
Join Date: September 10, 2016
Posts: 846
|
I wonder how much max pressure (over 35000 psi for 357 mag) these Heritage Rough Rider 357 mag SAA revolvers can stand as they are made by Pietta and should be the same as the Pietta SAA 1873 357 mag model.
In the manual I remember it said they are proofed with 3 shots each has 3 times than the max pressure/3 times the powder charge (105000 psi. Can that be??) If I recall that rigth. As well I wonder how much over max pressure is an 38 spl case if loaded with 4.0 grains of VV N330, 148 grain LeadDEWC, 0.688“ seating depth (Nagant style deep seated rounds), velocity of 1010 fps and shot out of the SAA 357 mag revolver above. According to QL what does the software say taking an 38 spl case (since that is what I use)? |
February 12, 2017, 08:14 AM | #20 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 28, 2006
Posts: 4,342
|
Quote:
|
|
February 12, 2017, 08:46 AM | #21 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 20, 2000
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 287
|
Quote:
I'm curious how mine will do now. I have a Vaquero and SP101, as well as an 1894cs. I want a good load for all of them. I'm hoping for good results with the powder coated version. If not, I'll get a mold for a gas check bullet in the 170-180 grain range. Thanks for posting results on your 357/296 loads |
|
February 12, 2017, 12:43 PM | #22 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 24, 2011
Posts: 1,427
|
Quote:
|
|
February 12, 2017, 11:04 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 3, 2017
Posts: 1,583
|
When you hit a velocity plateau, what is happening is the powder is burning faster, generating a shorter but higher pressure pulse. Luckily H110 and WW 296 have a slow pressure rise and it is not instantly destructive. It is still a signal to back the load down because higher temps or letting a round sit in a hot gun can cause the pressure to jump faster.
To re-purpose and old adage: There are bold loaders and there are old loaders but there are darn few old bold loaders. |
February 13, 2017, 11:52 AM | #24 | ||
Staff
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 28,846
|
Quote:
And, perhaps not. There are two things to look at here, one is the paper limits (published standards), and the other is what happens in the real world with all the different factors thrown in. The biggest of which is the specific individual gun & load. Quote:
Not in the sense that "this sign = that pressure" in psi, cup, or whatever units you use, but usable in the sense that they show you what is going on, and not going on in your gun, with your components. Published load data works as a guideline because the results you get with your gun and load components is generally very similar to what they tested. But very similar is not identical, and individual guns sometimes can and do show results at both ends of the curve. I do fully agree that when velocity flattens out, you are done with that powder and bullet combination, and the prudent thing to do is to drop back slightly below the point where velocity flattened out.
__________________
All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better. |
||
February 13, 2017, 04:17 PM | #25 | ||
Staff
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,063
|
Quote:
Quote:
When I noticed this claimed drop in pressures was being repeated with authority in forum posts a decade ago, I decided to go to an actual authority to inquire. I called then SAAMI technical director, Ken Greene, and asked about it. He said the illusion is created by the fact the copper crusher rating is 45,000 CUP, while the newer conformal transducer standard is 35,000 psi. The smaller magnitude of the second number makes it appear there's been a change. But he said that is a measurement artifact. That the same reference load that produces a MAP of 45,000 CUP produces a MAP of 35,000 psi in a conformal transducer barrel. We are used to the conformal transducer giving the higher reading at rifle cartridge pressures, further convincing us the pressure was changed, but that in fact the differences are inconsistent, changing both with cartridge diameter and absolute pressure. You just cannot reliably compare the two. For example, the .223 Rem and .308 Win are both rated at 52,000 CUP. Yet when the conformal pressure transducer is used with reference loads producing a MAP of 52,000 CUP, the .223 reads just 55,000 psi, while the .308 reads 62,000 psi. The CIP channel style transducer reads a max pressure reference load as 62,366 psi for the .223, and reads the .308 as 60,191 psi. Just the opposite of the conformal transducer, the channel transducer puts the smaller cartridge pressure higher. But it's all the same pressure based on the same reference loads shared across borders. The differences are all due to limitations of the measuring systems used and, to a lesser extent, rounding error. This is why SAAMI has a reference load system. They know that no two copper crushers or transducers will read exactly alike, even within a type. The reference load provides a calibration factor, allowing the operator to adjust for the differences on his system and wind up making cartridges to the same pressure standard anyway, even if the absolute reading on his gear doesn't match.
__________________
Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle |
||
|
|