Bob Marly

NM Blackhawk
255 Hornady RNFP swage - BHN 10
7.9gr Universal
Win Large Pistol Primer
COL 1.575 --- roll crimp is heavy but not deforming lead
Polyfil used in case

I took this load to the range Tuesday and found this load worked well with very minimal leading (just a couple streaks at the forcing cone on the first five rounds). I brushed out the barrel after ten rounds and only had powder residue.

My goal was to reach a load that obturated the bullet - thus maximizing the bullet/load potential and limiting leading. My previous was 7.8gr of Universal but I was getting lead smear down the barrel about 1.5 inches still. This load, 7.9gr, I approached carefully ... in a previous post I was concerned because of swelling of cases. This turned out to be normal as the case is swelling to seal in the chamber --- nothing excessive, no sharp swell edge next to case head.

In firing out to 20 yards, I am putting these rounds into 6" circle offhand. This is the limit of my ability right now.

I arrived at this load with two manuals. Hodgdon lists a 250gr SWC with 7.8gr within SAAMI spec. I found a load in "Loadbooks" which was taken from an older Hornady manual which had the exact bullet at 7.9gr. After closely looking at my cases from the 7.8gr and previous 7.9gr (sample) loads, I concluded I was going to be OK. Also, Iowegan had run the 7.9gr load thru QuikLoad when I had my concern about bulged cases.

NOTE: caution should be used with this load. As Iowegan noted to me, the 7.9gr Universal is right at the SAAMI limit of 14,000psi. I am firing in a Ruger NM Blackhawk, 5.5" barrel. Published velocity is 900-950fps.

bob marly