Blue Dot load for 357 and a question

[Nevada Ed]

If you go out to shoot and don't need a pair of long johns and ear muffs, you are good to go .........

I have a "Few" Bluedot loads in 38 spl but I have to admit that Bullseye with target loads and Reddot with High velosity loads are a lot better. Unique works with the longer barrels.
Blue is just so much better in the 357 mag cases,since it is so slow..............It is acually better than SR4756 in my test since it does not spike as bad and accepts different primers better. I have yet to get a 300+/- ES with Blue as with 4756.

One of these days I an going to have to buy some 2400 and find out what the best powder is...................since IMR 4227 sucks.

 

[Rule3]

One of these days I an going to have to buy some 2400 and find out what the best powder is...................since IMR 4227 sucks.

2400 is excellent, one of the best for 357. You said 4227 "sucks" as in your other thread. Why? The data you posted there is well below the max listed??

http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/291234-38-357-4227-powder-too-slow.html

 

[BLUEDOT37]

What sets the .41 Mag apart from all other cartridges, making it unsuitable for Blue Dot with any bullet or powder weight? I wonder how Blue Dot can tell it's in a .41 Mag instead of a .44 Mag, or for that matter, that it's under a 125 gr. bullet in a .357.

Exactly! How can it be okay with a 110gr. & a 140gr. bullet but not with a 125gr. in a 357 Mag? Wouldn't that make it the worlds most selective powder? Oddly to, Alliant lists using it in the 357 SIG (11.0grs compressed) with a 125gr. bullet & a 38 Super with a 124gr. bullet !?! And it's okay in the 10mm Auto & 44 Mag, but not the 41 Mag !?! If this isn't just one of their legal department's CYA ideas, I don't know what is. I don't doubt cold weather issues, but there's other powders with that problem too.

 

[arjay]

That's why I've had most of a can sitting on a shelf for 25 years.Why bother with a powder that's quirky?

 

[Nevada Ed]

R3;

I was just hoping that IMR4227 would have a little more velosity for the amount of powder that is dumped into the 38spl case.
All 38 loads were tested in my L frame 357 magnum for safty and the at near or compressed loads were just under or at the start of a +P velosity.

You can use 50% less powder for the same velosity if you switch to w231 powder and also have less powder flakes dropping out of the brass and revolver when the cylinder is opened.
I actually had to stop testing one day when a "Standard load" from the IMR data, actually froze up the cylinder in my snub nose form the powder flakes getting into the cracks of the revolver. Removing the yolk screw was the only way to get the revolver to work again.
It just needs lots of pressure to burn clean and this is not going to happen in the 38 spl loads in the manuals.
Looks like the lawn is going to get nice and green this coming spring............................

later.

 

[Rule3]

I was referring to your 357 mag data in the other post. The Hodgdon/IMR online data is much higher?
I use HP 38/W 231 for just about everything. 2400 for Full Mag loads.

"357 mag cases
Hornady 125gr xtp oal 1.59
18.5c 1325fps 34500cup c/o Dupont data
18.5c 1230fps ...............
Speer 158 Jhp oal 1.58
15.3c 1075fps 36,000cup c/o Dupont data
15.3c 1082fps cci550 mag primer.................FINALLY,but still a target load with the new approved pressers of today.?

 

[Nevada Ed]

IMR data was with Reminton 5 1/2 primers and a 6 inch barrel.
With the difference in fps I would think this test barrel might have been a "Solid" and not vented,as was the custom back in those days and maybe one heck of a crimp,also !!

We all know that a company might "Fudge" a few 100fps or so for sales but going from a magnum load down to a "Lite" mag or heavy target load , with my 6 inch 686 "Vented" barrel was some what of a surprise.

Its all good ...testing out different powder is fun and I enjoy doing so,just that I hate it when you step into an elevator and say "UP" and it goes....."Down".