357 Magnum Load, Overpressure or Brass?

[RandallOfLegend]

Load Data (Use at own risk)
11 grains AA#5
125 Gr 357 Hornady xtp
CCI500 Small Pistol Primer

I worked up the above load, and was getting very very sticky ejection from my revolver. It has great performance, but the ejection bothers me. I used up my "stock" of this round. The chronograph data shows reasonable velocities, below the book maximum. Although the above loading was under maximum with my Lyman book, the Accurate Arms latest loading data shows it as 4% OVER maximum. This particular powder/bullet weight combo has a lot of conflicting data among my sources.

I was using CBC stamped brass (Magtech). I was wondering if anyone has had any issues with sticky brass when not in an over-pressure situation. I have some Fiocchi brass that I might do a few loadings of to see if I continue to get sticky brass. Otherwise I will just work back up again. 10% less powder has some really abysmal results.

Thoughts?

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

What do you consider abysmal results? 10% less powder from a possibly over pressured round is still pretty high up there. Maybe a mid power to low power load would work best. Or maybe you should use a different bullet/powder?

ETA: Accurates' own load data shows you are above max load. Even if there is some discrepancy between sources why even mess with loads that are so close to the max?

 

[turbobike]

Just ran your load through Quickload...COL 1.590"..11gr AA5...125gr XTP...results....35895psi SAAMI, (on max of 35000psi) 7.5" barrel you should get 1630fps and 752ft-lbs.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

Just ran your load through Quickload...COL 1.590"..11gr AA5...125gr XTP...results....35895psi SAAMI, (on max of 35000psi) 7.5" barrel you should get 1630fps and 752ft-lbs.

COAL 1.585", 1350 FPS from 4" bbl, 1800 fps from 20" Barrel (Rossi 92). Both with an air temperature of 40F

Thanks for the quickload. I was suspecting a minor overpressure

What do you consider abysmal results? 10% less powder from a possibly over pressured round is still pretty high up there. Maybe a mid power to low power load would work best. Or maybe you should use a different bullet/powder?

ETA: Accurates' own load data shows you are above max load. Even if there is some discrepancy between sources why even mess with loads that are so close to the max?

I have 3 sources. 2 say I can go up to 12 grains. Accurate says significantly less. In the end I will likely reduce the charge, or go to another powder.

I am trying to create a BAMF 125 grain 357 round that hits 1400 FPS from a 4" barrel, and 2000 fps from a 20" barrel. Why mess with close to max? Because reloading affords me the ability to do so. But again, I wasn't close to max with my other 2 sources. And with reloading I usually play the "best 2/3". In this case, I learned better to take the lowest of the 3 and work up.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

If you look at the data I posted you will see Enforcer will probably easily give you what you're looking for and even possibly exceed it. That data was with a 6" barrel though. But you would probably get your 1400 fps at pretty close to the safe starting load out of a 4 inch barrel. Enforcer is a dream to work with BTW and burns cleanly. I use if for 44 MAG.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Are your cylinders clean? Did you shoot any .38 immediately beforehand?

 

[meketrefe]

Load Data (Use at own risk)
11 grains AA#5
125 Gr 357 Hornady xtp
CCI500 Small Pistol Primer

I worked up the above load, and was getting very very sticky ejection from my revolver. It has great performance, but the ejection bothers me. I used up my "stock" of this round. The chronograph data shows reasonable velocities, below the book maximum. Although the above loading was under maximum with my Lyman book, the Accurate Arms latest loading data shows it as 4% OVER maximum. This particular powder/bullet weight combo has a lot of conflicting data among my sources.

I was using CBC stamped brass (Magtech). I was wondering if anyone has had any issues with sticky brass when not in an over-pressure situation. I have some Fiocchi brass that I might do a few loadings of to see if I continue to get sticky brass. Otherwise I will just work back up again. 10% less powder has some really abysmal results.

Thoughts?

I have been telling people for a long time the Lyman reloading book is full of inconsistencies and errors.
Many of the contributors to the book have taken the data from who knows where so the best thing is to use this book to
light up the fireplace this winter.

Lean on reliable sources including powder manufacturer, bullet manufacturer and other tools. Quick load is
a great software for designing new cartridges and calculating loads. Always verify with other sources and
calculators. Always start low that I am sure you are doing.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

I have been telling people for a long time the Lyman reloading book is full of inconsistencies and errors.
Many of the contributors to the book have taken the data from who knows where so the best thing is to use this book to
light up the fireplace this winter.

I really like the Lyman book from the "looks". Has nice diagrams, and they quote their projectiles. But as you have said, I have found Lyman to be all over the map.

Are your cylinders clean? Did you shoot any .38 immediately beforehand?

Tested with a freshly scrubbed cylinder.


As for why not use another powder. It comes down to availability. If I ever see a pound of H110 or Alliant 2400 (Not Hodgdon) then I would jump on it. Part of the fun of reloading is trying different recipes. I use AA#9 up the wazooo, but I have found AA#5 to be a jack of all trades but master of none.

My next plan for a hot 357 magnum is using AA#9 with 125 grain projectile for a rife (Slow powder long barrel) and testing out the performance of HS6 in 357 magnum. I already use HS6 in 40 S&W, and it's damn powerful in that caliber.

 

[turbobike]

2000 fps from a 20" barrel

Here is one solution for 20" rifle...from Quickload...COL=1.585...125xtp..19.6gr Hodgdon H110...34,827psi...2110fps..1235ft-lbs
4" barrel yields...1395fps..540ft-lbs

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

I really like the Lyman book from the "looks". Has nice diagrams, and they quote their projectiles. But as you have said, I have found Lyman to be all over the map.

Tested with a freshly scrubbed cylinder.


As for why not use another powder. It comes down to availability. If I ever see a pound of H110 or Alliant 2400 (Not Hodgdon) then I would jump on it. Part of the fun of reloading is trying different recipes. I use AA#9 up the wazooo, but I have found AA#5 to be a jack of all trades but master of none.

My next plan for a hot 357 magnum is using AA#9 with 125 grain projectile for a rife (Slow powder long barrel) and testing out the performance of HS6 in 357 magnum. I already use HS6 in 40 S&W, and it's damn powerful in that caliber.

Do you buy online? Midsouthshooters has 1 and 8 pounds of h110. I bought 8pounds way back and still have a whole lot. I've used it for 44 mag but it's noticeably hotter without much gain than the enforcer. I now use it for tokarev/pps43 reloads. I wouldn't take enforcer off the table.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

Do you buy online? Midsouthshooters has 1 and 8 pounds of h110. I bought 8pounds way back and still have a whole lot. I've used it for 44 mag but it's noticeably hotter without much gain than the enforcer. I now use it for tokarev/pps43 reloads. I wouldn't take enforcer off the table.

I will check it out. I do a lot of 1 pounders because I am still exploring powders, but I like to get a few pounds at once to average out the hazmat. I have never heard anything about enforcer. So it will be worth look. I keep my eyes out for good powder suppliers. I will make sure to check out midsouth.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Take a close look at the primer. Magnum or standard? I have books that use the same powder but different primers. Different powder charges.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

Take a close look at the primer. Magnum or standard? I have books that use the same powder but different primers. Different powder charges.

Was using CCI500 Small Pistol. I am going to try using a lower charge with the CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnums

 

[Deplorable Me]

My primary reloading books are Speer and Hornady. For secondary information I use Sierra. All bullet mfg books. I do load LaserCast Oregon trail but purchased their book specific to their product.

I do have Lee, Lyman and several powder mfg books but I find the load data less specific than I like, but I do cross reference them.

Isn't reloading fun?

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Was using CCI500 Small Pistol. I am going to try using a lower charge with the CCI 550 Small Pistol Magnums

I don't want to seem combative but I think you are pretty much going to get the same result by doing this. The AA #5 data up top is using a 6 inch barrel and under optimum conditions I'm sure. I think the best you could hope for out of a 4 inch barrel and not over pressuring is under your target velocity. I think you have to change powders and or bullets.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

The AA #5 data up top is using a 6 inch barrel and under optimum conditions I'm sure. I think the best you could hope for out of a 4 inch barrel and not over pressuring is under your target velocity. I think you have to change powders and or bullets.

I am no means dead set on using AA#5 for this loading. Just "using what I got". Since I am all done shooting this particular loading, I have time to build up a new recipe. I really liked it's performance, just didn't like the overpressure signs.