Hodgdon .357 COAL Changed?

[kbm6893]

I don't load alot of .357, but I stay very middle of the road when I do. I was on the Hodgdon website today, and the COAL has changed from the last time I was there. The older data showed a COAL of 1.610". The new data shows a COAL of 1.590". The powder weights are the same and Pressure is still 12,600 CUP. Which is the better data to go by?

 

[rockquarry]

I think SAAMI specs have always been 1.59", but 1.61" is barely a difference. I guess it depends on how long your cylinder is. Go with what works; it's not critical. I use 1.60" with the the H&G #51 SWC cast bullet and it's a pretty standard configuration. This length works in Model 27s and I think those cylinders may be a little shorter than some others.

 

[wagonman]

Coal is determined where the crimp grove is regardless of the .030 difference.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Uh, 1.610 vs.1.590 is 0.020, but does it really matter in a revolver's cylinder...?

P.S. 12,000 CUP is 38 Special pressure level : what is the perceived problem?

Cheers!

 

[rockquarry]

Coal is determined where the crimp grove is regardless of the .030 difference.

Good point I failed to mention, especially if you roll crimp. I usually taper crimp .357 so am not concerned with exact location of crimp groove.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have data with a lead 158 LRN, that state that I had loads that had
a OAL of 1.62", that did not bind up, when fired.

The standard OAL for the 158 Lwc, flat nose design is usually around 1.59"
that will work in most revolvers.

 

[mikld]

FWIW and an aside; I started seating revolver bullets to the crimp groove and disregarded book OAL (started reloading way pre web and figgered the bullet designer knew where to locate the groove.). Since 1970 I have seated all my revolver bullets to the crimp groove, disregarding book OAL for a couple reasons. First reloading manuals reflect what the test techs used as far as components and dimensions, not exact formula. And when I seated to book OAL, often the crimp groove was either inside the case or too far out to roll a crimp in. I have had zero problems, little or no great variances, good consistency for 7 different revolver cartridges...

 

[DWalt]

The most important COAL consideration by far is that the bullet nose does not protrude even slightly beyond the chamber. That would cause the cylinder to bind up.