Recent content by Steve C

I load Hornady 210gr XTP JHP's on top of 17.5grs of 2400. The load chrono'd at 1,413 fps average for 6 shot string from my S&W 57 with 6" barrel using WW case and primer. I haven't tried to push 215gr LSWC's faster than what 9.5grs of Unique will at 1,157 fps from my 4" Mountain Pistol. Have...

This Stopping Power chart came from Handloads.com. It is basically from the Marshal Sannow Study so its generally police ammo performance of the late 90's. It shows the 110gr .38 spl +P+ at about an 80% effectiveness compared to other +P+ rounds. This is equivalent to some of the best 9mm...

Just a conventional JHP as CTG COLLECTOR said. It should be quite an effective self defense load as its being pushed at 1,350 fps from the .357 Sig.

I switched my EDC to a S&W 637 from a KelTec P3AT. I have a couple model 60's but find them too heavy for pocket carry in a pair of shorts though OK for a coat or jacket in colder climates. The 15 oz 637 is not noticeable when carried in the front pocket any more than the P3AT was. Before...

Looks like you have a load to reach your goal of 1K fps. When I want to practice with magnum velocity lead bullet loads in the .357 I use .357 cases and hard cast bullets with 12 grs of AA9 or 13grs of 2400 for 1,200 fps +. For practice using .38 spl loads with the softer Speer swagged...

Remington GS in .357 mag with 125gr bullet are loaded to a mid level .357 mag pressure with a velocity of around 1,220 fps from a 4" barrel. Pierced primers are usually the result of over pressure. Check your fired case primers to make sure they are truly pierced and not just a black dent...

Older K frame .357 mag revolvers have a thinned forcing cone on the bottom to allow the cylinder to close. The problem with 125 gr full power 1,450 FPS ammo is cracking the forcing cone in this thinned area. Since S&W no longer produces replacement barrels for these pistols the damaged barrels...

Lightweight guns are a joy to carry but recoil increases with the power of ammo. A steel frame model 60 will reduce the recoil to 1/2 of what the air weight has. Practice with standard pressure 158gr LRN or 148gr WC carry +p for defense. If you have to use the +P in a defense situation you...

IMO either of the bullets you have chosen should work fine as a self defense load. Of the two I would feel better about using the Hydra-Shok. The Hydra-Shok is an older bullet design that has the advantage of having a good reputation as a man stopper both statistically and anecdotally which is...

I've bought older powder and other reloading supplies at estate sales over the years. So far everything I've bought has loaded useable ammo just fine. Chrono results didn't indicate any degradation in the powders ability to deliver the velocities in the range expected for the load. When I've...

Unique is quite a bit faster than AA9 and AA5 would be the similar powder in the Accurate line. AA9 and 2400 are IMO very similar. AA9 is less dense than 2400 and of smaller grain size. If your powder measure doesn't seal well AA9 can leak. Loads using AA9 are generally 1.0 gr less than 2400...

The 2 types of 148 gr WC bullets, hollow base and solid, are important to what data you use. The solid type are either double ended or bevel base. Hollow base wad cutters are exceptionally accurate however the pressure of the round must be lighter than the SAAMI max available for solid based...

Visual and statistical information that may help make a choice in ammo type, confirm or change ones opinion on ammo selection for the calibers illustrated. The links below show slow motion action of bullets through clear gel from Brassfetcher on YouTube. The .357 mag 125 and the .45 acp...

The gun you are looking at is an obvious former police revolver that was likely traded back for new guns at one time. The "R" at the end of the PD identity stamp likely indicates a gun no longer in their inventory. Buy it, you probably won't regret it. I have a model 67 police trade in...

I buy the Speer or Hornady swagged 158gr LSWCHP's and hand load to duplicate the factory velocities for their +P ammo. I have found the following loads will get the 890 to 900 fps from 4" revolvers and around 780 fps from a 2" snub nose: 4.5 to 4.7gr of W231, 3.8gr of Tight Group and 5.0 to 5.2...