Reloads for Kimber K6S?

[76Y40]

Apologies to Smith and Wesson. Own and love my Models 49 and 28 from "days of yesteryear".

But...I got this Kimber 3 inch K6S, about 5 lbs of CFE Pistol, and would like any "bunny fart" load suggestions for .357 mag brass (hate those rings at the end of the cylinder from firing .38 special in a .357).

 

[Nevada Ed]

What type of bullets will you be shooting in that "Condor State" ?

I hear that they are getting picky on what you leave laying around, now.

 

[starlord]

Bottom line is no matter what you use if its a clear case of self defence your good. Ammo will have no bearing on it.

Unless you live in New Jersey.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Any "reasonable" 38 Special START load will be fine in the 357 Magnum cases...

But, what exactly is the attraction of a "bunny fart" load?

Cheers!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Any "reasonable" 38 Special START load will be fine in the 357 Magnum cases...

But, what exactly is the attraction of a "bunny fart" load?

Cheers!

Do those loads have to be powerful enough the make the dust fly
behind the bunny .........
or just enough for the fur to wiggle ?

 

[Forrest r]

While cfe is an interesting powder, don't know if I'd try using it with lite loads. cfe burns on the slower side and is at it's best with near max/max loads.

Some don't like using 38spl cases in the 357's. Myself, did this for decades in 10+ different revolvers chambered in 357mag. Doesn't matter if I shoot 38spl's in the 357mags or 357mags in the 357mags. I always clean the cylinders the same way. Namely using a q-tip to apply a solvent in all over cylinder along with in the chambers. Then It's brush work on the outside and an old 35cal brush rapped with choirboy and chucked in a drill to clean the cylinders. The chambers of the cylinders are burnished clean in 2/3 minutes.

 

[reddog81]

I don't know much about CFE Pistol but most discussions around it seem to be geared toward hotter loads and how well it preforms there. I would feel safe using max .38 Special loads in .357 magnum cases and go down from there if needed. There are many other powders that would will work better for light loads in a magnum case.

A max .38 Special load will still be about half the max pressure for a .357 magnum load but still a little under starting .357 loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have not tried CFE Pistol because I have good loads with other powders and I don't need to work up new loads and use up the components. I know its good to have more choices for when you can't get your preferred powders but right now I don't want to use the primers to work up new loads especially since I have plenty of W231.

 

[Sistema1927]

I also have the 3" K6S, but don't shoot "bunny fart" loads, nor do I use CFS, so sorry, nothing to add/

76Y40. MOS? I had 76Y20 as a secondary MOS.

 

[mikld]

CFE Pistol starting loads in 38 Spec brass run 5.4 (995 fps) to 6.3 max (1133 fps) for a 125 gr XTP. For a 125 gr cast5.2 (1044 fps) to 6.2 (1201 fps). Velocities in 357 Mag brass will be a bit lower due to larger case capacity. I think I would use mid level 38 Spec data in 357 brass to make sure all bullets exited the barrel and work up idf necessary for accuracy. I have used 38 Special data right out of a manal in 357 brass for many years, mostly with cast bullets and have had little/no problems... Reloading Data Center | Hodgdon

 

[Eddietruett]

I don't know much about CFE Pistol but most discussions around it seem to be geared toward hotter loads and how well it preforms there. I would feel safe using max .38 Special loads in .357 magnum cases and go down from there if needed. There are many other powders that would will work better for light loads in a magnum case.

A max .38 Special load will still be about half the max pressure for a .357 magnum load but still a little under starting .357 loads.

I agree. I use a good bit of CFE pistol in 38/357, 9mm, 45acp and 45 Colt. It is a great and extremely clean burning powder for mid range and up to max, but I'd save the bunny fart loads for Bullseye or Titegroup.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I agree. I use a good bit of CFE pistol in 38/357, 9mm, 45acp and 45 Colt. It is a great and extremely clean burning powder for mid range and up to max, but I'd save the bunny fart loads for Bullseye or Titegroup.

Same here;


tested out the new CFE-p & BE-86 when I got them, then set them
on the shelf, just in case I might need them later on, with the data on hand.

Still have lots of other powders that work for me, right now.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like I said before, I know I should have many options so if the powders I like are not available I can still make good ammo. That said, I have a very good variety of handgun powders which include about 12 or so different powders. In reality I use mostly 3 powders, my holy trinity. They are W231/HP-38, W540/HS-6 and W296/H110. That is a twist on the original powder trinity of Bullseye, Unique and 2400...

 

[76Y40]

Any "reasonable" 38 Special START load will be fine in the 357 Magnum cases...

But, what exactly is the attraction of a "bunny fart" load?

Cheers!

Bunny Fart: nothing too distractive at 0900 hours!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Due to the makeup of CFE-p, most of my loads were 75% to full loads, for my 686 6" .357 magnum,

A 125 jhp with 8.0 grs of CFE gave me 1221fps.
6.6 grs with a 158 Lwc gave me 1094fps.

I found this powder can be dirty at the starting loads with only fair accuracy,
however you might try starting loads and see what turns up, for you.

 

[76Y40]

Any "reasonable" 38 Special START load will be fine in the 357 Magnum cases...

But, what exactly is the attraction of a "bunny fart" load?

Cheers!

Thanks Norm.

 

[76Y40]

I don't know much about CFE Pistol but most discussions around it seem to be geared toward hotter loads and how well it preforms there. I would feel safe using max .38 Special loads in .357 magnum cases and go down from there if needed. There are many other powders that would will work better for light loads in a magnum case.

A max .38 Special load will still be about half the max pressure for a .357 magnum load but still a little under starting .357 loads.

Thanks Red.

 

[gwpercle]

Bunny Fart: nothing too distractive at 0900 hours!

CFE is a slower burning powder , better suited for mid-range and upper loads ... it will not do well for light "bunny fart" loads .
If you can live with mid-range 38 special loads , it will burn cleaner .
If this is acceptable ... what bullets are you able to aquire .
Load data is dependant on bullet weight and bullet construction , can you get jacketed , plated or cast lead ...all can be made to work but reloading is best when the details are taken into account .
What bullets can you get/do you have on hand .

The absolute best bunny fart powders are the fast ones : 700X , Bullseye , Red Dot , 231 , HP38 , and Titegroup ...+ a few others . If you truely want bunny farts ...can you get any of these or be on the look out for them .
I tried to get Unique to work for BF loads for years and it's a mid-range powder ...it sucks rocks when loaded down to the bunny fart level .
Gary

 

[76Y40]

76Y40

I also have the 3" K6S, but don't shoot "bunny fart" loads, nor do I use CFS, so sorry, nothing to add/

76Y40. MOS? I had 76Y20 as a secondary MOS.

Yes, unit and organizational supply clerk and small arms repair. Fort Lee, 1968-69. I think it was 76Y30. Promoted to Sgt. and became 76Y40.