These were all shot at 25 yards, rested, with a red dot.

These all did fine on the accuracy. I'd still like to find something with a little less recoil for punching paper. I didn't really notice much of a difference in feel between the various loads.

The AA#5 with the minimum published load of 8.7 grains was the most accurate. I have some Xtreme 158grain bullets on the way. Is AA#5 safe to download to say 8 grains?

When you drop to a lighter bullet, like a 125 grain, it seems like the manuals usually call for more powder. Does the recoil go down if you have a lighter bullet and more powder?

I'd be interested to hear what advice you guys have on a moderate recoil / accurate load for 25 to 50 yard plinking.

Thanks,
Dave

Accurate # 5 is also useful for 38 special with a 5.2/5.8 grain load range listed for your 158 grain XTP so I see no potential problems with dropping your load down to 8 grains. Personally I use a 10.0 grain charge of # 5 for my 125 grain loads using the XTP and find it's a clean shooting relatively low flash load. As for perceived recoil, it's on the lighter side when compared to a stout 158 grain load using H110.

My 686 6" liked Blue Dot as low as 7.5 grs of powder in a mag case or a 38 spl case for light target work.........up to 1270 fps in the mag case,where the accuracy vs fps hit the wall.

You should be able to get about the same results with your powder since they are close to one another.

I favor AA #9 for a good medium magnum load. I'm not sure I would challenge the lower load data though. The lighter the bullet the more cartridge case volume so the more powder is needed to get more pressure.

Someone tell me if I'm wrong but I thought you need a faster burning powder for the most powder puff loads. That's why Bullseye has been the favored powder for .38 wadcutter loads that are so low recoiling. If you can find it, AA #2 is pretty close to Bullseye.

In my 38 M49 snub with a 158gr lead RN and Lswc I have had
Bullseye down to 572 fps ave......... (low 555 )
SR 4759 down to 571 fps ................ (545)
Trail Boss down to 569 fps .............. ( 552 )
Universal down to 561 fps ................( 514)
SR 4756 down to 527 fps ................. (505)
and all cleared the 1 7/8" barrel.

The only reason I shot the low 527 fps load was the ES was only 29, with the fuller case and it was my 2nd most accurate loading.

Recoil of a lighter faster bullet is approximately equal to heavier slower bullet.

Besides this simple relationship there is the speed of the powder which can make the recoil be more snappy or more like a 'push'.

You probably know this but a heavier gun damps out recoil more than a lighter gun. Full 30-06 loads with my light Savage rifle are murder.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I use AA#5 exclusively for my "mid range" loads in 10mm and .357, I run the .357 150g SWC at 1100 fps, and the 10mm 180 g LRN at 1050 fps. #5 is great for those loads, if I need more horsepower I run #7 to get more velocity when needed.

Thanks for the input.

I received my Xtreme 158 grain RNFP bullets. The seating depth is much shorter than I normally load if I crimp on the line. I'm going to start with testing 8 grains to 8.6 grains of AA #5 so it's a mild load.

Based on the photo below...what would you use for the COAL? Thanks.

I'd go with 1.140 inch OAL, looks about right in the cannelure.

Accurate doesn't have a listing for #5 with a plated bullet and since that is the standard plating on that bullet I would recommend being a bit conservative with your load. If you have a chronograph, use it and and finalize your powder charge at something in the 1050-1100 fps range. Yeah, I know the limit is 1200 fps but I tend to prefer a "safety factor" margin of 100 fps. Wish Extreme would get the 158 grain plated heavy plate bullets in, at 20 bucks a box the XTP's are a bit expensive and I'd like to try some heavy plates for my Magnums.

All three will work...........

It really depends on if the cases are all the SAME oal and if the
"Can" is in the same place each time on the bullets..........
usually there will be a few that are off, now and then.

You can always shove the bullet deeper, which is a lot easier to do than the reverse!!

Glad to see your bullets arrived..........
Enjoy.

Ok, great. I the press is set at the 1.140. I'll load some more tonight.
Thanks,
Dave

I tested out the Xtreme 158 RNFP this weekend with a bunch of different powders in the lower end ranges. They all pretty much sucked. The best was 10.5 gr 2400. They were decent but nothing to keep due to the unburned powder. The groups opened up with 11 and 11.5 grains of 2400. I tried a number of loads with AA#5 and some were downright terrible. I've spent enough time with the Xtreme's. If you live on Oahu and want the rest of my 500 pack you can have them for free.

I know Berry's and Montana Gold shoot great out of my two .357s. I read somewhere that Montana Gold's are harder on your barrel. Is there any truth to that? If that's not true I think I'll order some more of those.

I have not tested lead. This week I'll load up some mild Missouri Bullets that I have on hand (.38 Match / 158 Grain SWC / Brinell 12). I would appreciate any suggestions on those with Bullseye, HP38, Red Dot, AA#5, AA#7, 2400?

Thanks,
Dave

I've been playing with 158gr LSWC's sized to .358 and 2400 for my 4" 686. I started at 11 grains and thought "this sucks!". Mild load that was all over the paper. As I stepped up the load it got better and better but had some un-burnt powder flakes. I was advised to firm up the crimp and that stopped the powder flakes. I'm at 14.5 grains of 2400 and very happy with this load. Comfortable recoil that I can shoot all day and more accurate than I am. Wish I had a chrono to give you FPS. Only problem I have now is I'm about out of 2400 and can't find any more. luckily I've got 2 pounds of #9 to play with. Back to square one.

LOOKING AT YOUR GROUPS, (DEPENDING ON DISTANCE) IT LOOKS LIKE YOU NEED 1 CLICK LEFT AND 2-3 CLICKS DOWN ON THE SIGHTS. JP

I believe the guns were last sighted in for 14 grains 2400 and 158 XTPs. I'll dial it in when I settle on a plinking load.

I'm now shooting with an Ultradot on both the 627 and 686. It's much faster for testing the loads than the irons. The irons will still give me good accuracy...but it takes a lot more eye strain and concentration.



Dave