rclark

Cool. I will load up a set of 13.0g and 13.5g with Magnum primers tonight. My bullets are 158g SWCs where I think yours are jacketed bullets.

[edited] Okay ... Loaded and waiting.... . Normally I like to do load these type of tests back to back (so everything is same but the primer)... but we'll see what we get...

[edited] Went out at lunch today to run the tests.... 9 shots in ... and my transfer bar broke. So test is on hold until I get a hold of another one . This is the gun I have been shooting since a teen, so lots of rounds have went down range.

Here are the raw velocities of the 9 13g 2400, CCI-550, 158g bullets : 1292, 1216, 1307, 1290, 1317, 1273, 1215, 1205, 1311 ... test stopped.

JaxCatm

Great info! I run 2400 with standard primers only and have had more consistent groups/chrono data. Funny thing I noticed with the standard primers there is a well defined sweet spot with my guns at least. Above or below that powder charge and the velocity starts wandering up and down. Most consistent load I've come across yet is with a 180 grain hard cast LBT/WFN over 12.5 grains of 2400 and a standard small pistol primer. Average velocity is 1205 fps out of a four inch barrel with ES in the low 20s.

GP100man

2400 is a qwirky powder , if enuff pressure it`ll clean up & settle down & give good numbers . If down loaded ya need enuff spark (making aqwiker & somewhat higher press.) to clean it up .

But it`ll definitely have a sweet spot !! rclark tested my go to loads with 2400 13.5gr. with a good 158-180 gr. swc or rnfp.

Try testing some plinking low pressure loads , in the 357 case , Clays is the best I`ve found yet as far as position sensitivity goes

rclark

Try 5g of Red Dot or 5.5g of Green Dot . I load mostly the Red Dot load, but the Green Dot is just as good...

.357 BH 6 1/2"

5.0g Red Dot, 158g SWC, CCI-500, 1019 avg, 9 SD, 30 ES, 14 Shots (of 15)

5.5g Green Dot, 158g SWC, CCI-500, 1071 avg, 10 SD, 37 ES, 14 Shots (of 15)

rclark

Okay, Shot the test today with my 50th .347 with 4 5/8" barrel. Keep that in mind when trying to compare velocities.

.357 Ruger 50th Flattop 4 5/8"

13.0g 2400, 158g SWC, CCI-550, 1232 avg, 24 SD, 84 ES, 13 Shots (of 15)
13.5g 2400, 158g SWC, CCI-550, 1263 avg, 15 SD, 56 ES, 14 Shots (of 15)

If I hadn't removed the obvious far out ones on the 13g load I would have had a ES of 115. Not sure why as I measured all loads. Tis what is is....

Reshot this load in same revolver for kicks again as I had the chrono setup so why not....

.357 Ruger 50th Flattop 4 5/8"

5.0g Red Dot, 158g SWC, CCI-500, 999 avg, 8 SD, 35 ES, 33 Shots (of 34)

Rodfac

Good work Rubyda & rclark...reducing the variables is what makes for consistent loads, and consistency helps keep all the holes close together....I'd offer one suggestion....measure the length of your brass, then sort accordingly. The roll crimp you apply is directly affected by the length of the case...less so if you use a taper crimp. The crimp as you no doubt are aware, has a large affect on case neck tension, and that will affect velocity....I keep my brass sorted by Manuf., case lot #, number of times reloaded, and length; when striving for the smallest possible grouping, ie. testing new loads. It helps...the crimp alone can account for a 1" difference in group size at 25 yds. Best Regards, Rod

Rubydak

Rclark

Great data, thanks for your work on this.

I had to work everyday since my last post. Hope to get this weekend off and launch this next set down range.

I wonder if the magnum primer just shifts the stable sweet spot down to a lower powder charge with 2400?