SP vs. SPM Primers with VIHTAVUORI Powders

[ShootMeStraight]

"If you drop the hammer on a 2 legged varmit with handloads expect to get sued now days ".

How can they sue you if they don't have any of the bullets used...?? !!

Hand the police the gun with "Just" the empty cases.....

You do not have to say what ammo was used before getting legal help.

If you are going to get sued for shooting someone with a hand load, you'd definitely get sued as well for using fancy expanding factory ammo designed for maximum tissue damage. I'm sick of hearing people saying not to use hand loads for self defense.

 

[ruggyh]

HorizontalMike, you are way over thinking this.

Use the powders manufactures data- they have quantified/validated the results with those components and you won't experience any surprises.

Quit looking for short cuts until you have some experience and have a better understanding of what is actually happening- shoot some of your reloads.

Understand that little of the information your getting here has actually been quantified/validated outside of the gun didn't blow up-- it must be good load!!!

FYI most stick powder performs best with standard primers, there are always exceptions.

Unless you are getting pressure data from someone, they are speculating on what is actually happening.

 

[snowman]

My guess is that in the nearly seven years since Mike initially posted his inquiry he has done his testing and arrived at a satisfactory load. I would be interested in hearing what he finally concluded.

Regards,
Andy

 

[HorizontalMike]

Current Update 2020

My guess is that in the nearly seven years since Mike initially posted his inquiry he has done his testing and arrived at a satisfactory load. I would be interested in hearing what he finally concluded.
Regards,
Andy

Andy, you are correct. I found no ascertainable difference once I started reloading with either #550 or #500 primers. I chose to stay with the #550 Magnum primers for .357, however, I have large numbers of 9mm, .38 and .38+P to reload as well. For these I use the #500s, pretty much to spread out my inventory.

• .357 Magnum 4in 686ND
• 158xtp bullets
• 12.4gr VV N105
• CCI #550 primers
• New Starline Brass (at least initially, then reloading)
• My COAL = 1.575"
• Avg. 1,370 fps
• currently ~1,500 reloads of above

The above is a very stout load, so I choose not to shoot too many of them at a time. I also picked up another 4in 686ND to take most of the abuse. Had the ~0.010in gap trimmed down to 0.003in and am very happy with it. This second 686ND came with no papers, however this keeps my original 686ND, purchased in 1986, in pristine condition... and with all paperwork including LGS hand&register receipts.

 

[snowman]

Hello, Mike! Thanks for posting your load -that kind of information always interests me. That 158 grainer is really scooting for a 4" barrel -looks like it would make a good hunting load if one is interested in hunting. My guess is the .003 b/c gap is making a considerable difference in your velocity, but then again you didn't say which gun was getting that velocity, or both.

Anyway, I like to hear of folks using their magnums for magnum loads. I shoot them almost exclusively, just for the challenge of overcoming the flinch and getting good groups with them.

Regards,
Andy