Do you load for barrel length ?

[JD 500]

So for the members who a) reload, and b) own guns of same caliber but different barrel length, do you load differrent charges in your ammo, for your differrent length barrels ? Or different powders ?

I'm asking in reference to the 500 mag (4" barrel vs. 8 3/8" barrel), but I think any caliber owner can answer.

Thanks,

 

[PPCSHOOTER]

YES I DO.

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, I load differently for different guns, but more to optimize accuracy in each gun than because of barrel length. For example, my two match Garands prefer different loads. Similarly, I load differently for bolt-action rifles than for gas guns. I also use different loads for different ranges, for example one for the 200- and 300-yard lines and another for 600.

I'd prefer not to jump through all these hoops, but then I don't get the accuracy each gun is capable of. [shrug]

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[M29since14]

I cannot help you with the 500 Magnum. Years ago this question was popular with 44 Magnum shooters, particularly those using IMR4227 powder. For me and most of my friends, the concerns were always accuracy and leading, velocity taking a back seat to those two. No one had a chronograph, so we had no way to check consistency.

If you are thinking of needing a different burning speed powder for the 4-inch gun, there are certainly a lot more powders to play around with now than there were then, but I wouldn't think changing to a faster powder would be worthwhile, unless you got a corresponding improvement in accuracy. JMHO. For a more educated opinion, you might call Hornady or Hodgdon and see if you could pick their brain on this.

Regarding the 44, I usually loaded two rounds - a full-charge item, normally with 2400, fired mostly in the longer barreled guns, and a 900 FPS load for the 4-inch gun, usually using Unique, then later, 231. Over the years, I usually fired the target load at a ratio of about 4:1. The 8-inch gun always shot too high with the target loads, so it rarely got them, and I rarely used the full-charge loads in the 4-inch guns. My full-charge loads consistently out shot my "target" loads in every gun, that I can recall. That was always a bit of a frustration - and still is.

 

[Abflyboy]

I typically don't change loads for barrel length. I have two 629's one with 8 3/8" barrel and the other with 6 1/2" barrel. Both get 240gr XTP with 24.0gr H110.

I do tailor different loads to optimize accuracy for each gun.

My two .204 Rugers like very different powder charges and velocities for optimum accuracy. One is a bolt action and the other is a rebarrelled AR15.

my $.02

 

[Erich]

I have some loads that I pretty much only use in some barrel lengths, some that I use in others at the other end of the spectrum, and a whole bunch of loads that I shoot through anything.

Interesting discussion topic.

 

[JD 500]

That is really at the heart of my question model14. I'm wondering if I will need to load down what I have been feeding my 8" to use in the new 4".
I'm loading with H4227 and Lil Gun.

 

[Wayne M]

No. I load to shoot, not experiment.

 

[model14]

JD and others,
I removed my previous post because the loads were for my 686 not my 629. Sorry.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

If the question is related to shooter comfort,no one but you can answer that.As the barrel gets shorter,perceived recoil,blast and muzzle flash increase.

There's no free lunch.How much compromise do you find acceptable?

I've never even fired the 500 S&W but there is always a trade off,no matter which caliber is being discussed.I'd recommend you shoot the 4" with the same load you use in your 8" and if you find it abusive,load it down until it's comfortable.

 

[JD 500]

Thanks canoe - I'm not worried about too much blast, I guess I'm looking for common experiences regardless of caliber such as "I find I get best accuracy if I load 4" bls at 90% of what I load for 8" brls" for example.

Frankly I have no desire to begin the load workup again, but I will if neccessary. And no doubt I will start with the rounds I already have loaded. I would suspect that I will end up wasting powder though that way, if it's burning outside the barrel. Although it'll probably give a mighty fine flash

.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

JD500,

The 44 magnum is my most used handgun and I've owned and used 29s and 629s in every barrel length from three inches to eight and three eights inches.

I use mostly reduced loads out of empathy for the gun whenever extended shooting sessions are planned but otherwise see no reason to use anything less than full power loads regardless of barrel length.(unless shooting comfort is the issue)

There are those who contend that faster burning powders give better ballistics than slower powders in the short barrels but this has been proven to be incorrect.

I use the same loads regardless of barrel length.Unique powder for light practice and full loads with W296/H110 for everything else.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
NoNoNo I load to bullet weight and target..
A good load in a short barrel will usually
be good in a long one....
Exceptions: soft bullets can go to fast in a real
long barrel/light loads can stick in a long barrel.
If you do not go to extremes light or heavy-
bullet or charge- a good load is a good load...

 

[Skip Sackett]

No, not usually. If I have two firearms of the same caliber and different barrel lengths, I usually load to optimize for the longer barrel, at least in handguns. I take what I get from those loads in the shorter barrels.

Sometimes I build a load for the shorter barrels and just enjoy the increase from using them in longer barrels.

Take my 44mag and 357mag loads for instance. I have revolvers and carbines for each caliber. I have built loads for each. In the 357mag I developed a hunting load for the wife's M586. She is a little recoil sensitive so I built a load that was "midrange" for her. 1280fps from the 6" barrel. I just enjoy the added velocity from the rifle, right at 1600fps.
For the 44mag I developed them the other way around. My 1800fps rifle round gives me 1300fps from my M629 5".


Most loads are target type loads though so I just take what I get.


Did that help?

 

[dennis40x]

I’m a Reloader as opposed to a Handloader. Not into tweaking loads for a particular firearm. Over the years (decades) I’ve developed standard loads and don’t deviate from that practice.

Typically what I’ve observed in a life time of shooting is the average handgunner shoots 25yds maximum and prefers their targets within spitting distance. Also typical rifle shooters sit at a bench and shoot. They all talk sub minute of angle groups but seldom stand up and shoot. I really don’t understand all this tweaking but I assume it gives all the tweaker’s a perception of enjoyment.

 

[Skip Sackett]

handgunner shoots 25yds maximum

Thread shift>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dennis, do you happen to remember the Marine Corps Qualification course for the 1911? I have been raking my brain trying to remember but just can't seem to get those gears to mesh. A little help please!

p.s. If you want to see some targets from someone that knows how to shoot, have Dennis post some of his. Further than spitting distance and even some rifle that is done standing!

 

[JD 500]

I'm with you guys. After missing not one but two different deer last hunting season, I'm not going to take a single shot from the bench before this next season. I'm buying shooting sticks and I'm going to shoot, standing up, from the sticks and standing up offhand.

I'm definately not tring to find more work/reloading. In fact the post was an effort to see if anyone has already found the answer. No need to reinvent the wheel.

I've got loads already worked up that work great in my 8" 500. I'll start there.

Thanks,

 

[Missionary]

Greetings
If I am using a slower pistol powder like 2400, H110, 296 in Magnun, heavy cast loads I would not consider loading that round into a 4" or less length barrel. Short Barrels will not effectily combust the load. Medium and Fast pistol powders really would not matter much.
Mike in Peru

 

[Skip Sackett]

Originally posted by Missionary:
Greetings
If I am using a slower pistol powder like 2400, H110, 296 in Magnun, heavy cast loads I would not consider loading that round into a 4" or less length barrel. Short Barrels will not effectily combust the load. Medium and Fast pistol powders really would not matter much.
Mike in Peru

Welcome to the forum Missionary, brother.

Even though you are using the slower powders they will still they will yield the higher velocities. There is data to prove this from the Speer manuals. Most of the data is outside of current listings but when compared to faster powders in the shorter barrels they are still faster.

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Smith Crazy,

I notice you're using an excerpt from the Speer#8.The difference is even more pronounced when you look at the 357 magnum snub load page.