Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunhacker
Wrong issue.. it's Handloader issue #293 Dec-Jan 2014, you can get a copy on CD for $5.95: Handloader Single Back Issues on CD-ROM
I'm a long time subscriber, I looked at the article... it's a well written by Brian Pearce (who I feel is on par with Skeeter Skelton in his handloading and handgun knowledge), and worthwhile to read/obtain.
He list loads for 200 - 254 gr bullets, but the key, as Snapping Twig pointed out, is velocity... 900 or below, that's as high as his published loads go, and he said it keeps the pressure level below the level where barrel bulging and forcing cone splitting starts to take place.
He notes that the test gun used was a Model 396 Mountain Lite AirLite Ti, and his best performing loads in it were with the Hornady and Speer 200 grain bullets.
As numerous reloading articles and reloading manuals often mention... you results will/may vary in the gun that you use and the gun used for the load developing/testing. |
I listed the issue date as exactly what is printed on my direct copy of the article. Could be a PDF thing. Check the download. The article is what's important, not the date.
I looked and own the magazine. The cover says #293, December 2014. However, the footer on each page says "December-January 2015".
I think my chief concern would be using a light enough bullet to achieve velocities for adequate bullet expansion. The 245 gr are below 700 fps and should not be pushed a lot harder than that in these guns. The different weights would be on targets at different elevations. Since S&W originally touted 200 as being the maximum bullet weight, we can presume the sights were regulated for that weight's POI. The sights are adjustable, but not if they are on target at minimum elevation like most of my guns.