357 Mag - Loading Mid-Range Cast SWC - Update

[RDub]

Hello
The first shoot is here;
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/575171-357-mag-loading-mid-range-cast-swc.html


For this second shoot, I wanted to test two new powders, Winchester 572 and IMR BLUE, so a ladder was shot for both of those. Plus while I was at it, shot two loads of 231, 6.0 and 6.5grs.




Ok, I messed up.. I shot the first group of IMR BLUE right over the 7.2 UNIQUE target. Oops. The holes for BLUE are colored in with blue marker so you can kinda see them.

If you notice, IMR BLUE lags behind BLUE DOT quite a bit with equal charges. I’ve noticed this in other tests as well. If IMR was trying to offer a competitor for BLUE DOT I think they missed a little. If not, then we just have another powder to play with.

Also notice there is no similarity between W571 and W572. Two completely different powders and burn-rates.

Both of those powders did pretty well. 6.0 231 did quite well. Hard to beat 231.

One word of caution about 800-X. This powder is very useful in a variety of cartridges and in many, one of the top performers. However it does come with a caveat.. It does not meter well out of a powder measure. Go ahead and use a powder measure, but each throw must be checked and or adjusted individually.

Here is an updated graph;




Well hope this provides an idea of what to expect from all these powders in .357 and a cast SWC.

 

[imakmst]

very nice work, thanks

 

[M29since14]

You make a pretty convincing case for 6.0 of 231! Thanks for sharing your test results with us.

 

[Calliope]

I wanted to try Blue earlier in the year, but couldn't find any 357 data. What are you using for data?

 

[RDub]

I wanted to try Blue earlier in the year, but couldn't find any 357 data. What are you using for data?

From other test I've done with other calibers and some feedback from other handloaders I know, and a little interpolation, it has become fairly clear that IMR BLUE lags behind BLUE DOT in a predictable fashion. Based on this I started out where I thought IMR BLUE would land about 1150 fps. Hopefully this will give us a place to start with IMR BLUE with this load.
Wasn't too far off..

 

[Calliope]

From other test I've done with other calibers and some feedback from other handloaders I know, and a little interpolation, it has become fairly clear that IMR BLUE lags behind BLUE DOT in a predictable fashion. Based on this I started out where I thought IMR BLUE would land about 1150 fps. Hopefully this will give us a place to start with IMR BLUE with this load.
Wasn't too far off..

Good stuff. Someone has to start things off.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Looks like the new 572 powder is a cousin to the old Unique in fps.

Great post....
It lets us see how the new powders match up with the old stand buys .

Seems like 1070 and 1230fps work pretty well in that weapon.
Now the problem of selecting a load.............