[RedHawk357Mag]

Good Morning everyone. I would like to get some insight on what others are considering when working up loads. I am asking in particular handgun cartridges of 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum but I do also load for a 308. Things I consider:

o Powder Availability
o Load Data Availability(although I do like doing a small amount of interpolating)
o Intended use (mostly paper punching range stuff)
o Ease of use in a Powder Measure (Redding BR Pistol SetUp) although 10 rnd workups are individually measured; only sexy groups get tried in a powder measure to also be evaluated as well
o Amount of Leading Caused and at what Velocity.(Starting of course with matched bullet size to cylinder throats)
o Sometimes the amount of good press a powder receives in forums like this
o the size of ten round shot groups off bags at 12 yards also gathering velocity SD, and ES info as well (group size driving that train)
o Bullet used although I haven't loaded a jacketed bullet (in handgun loadings) in probably close to 15 years.(158 gr LSWC, 240 gr LSWC or 168 gr Matchkings)
o Perceived amount of felt recoil or sometimes the lack of)
o Cost but hey it's a hobby and hobbies are expensive 18 1lb canisters bought in the last two years and one 8 lb (Universal) WOW!
o Guns to be used in (RedHawk 357 S&W 686-4PP 80% 20% shooting; S&W 629-4PP 100% of shooting)
o Pressure but only slightly; I don't have a way to measure and I only have the data in my books to go by and of course it's not specific to RedHawks or my 629

So what are other folks looking at when working up new loads?

[kelbro]

I think that you have about covered it :)

Two more (possibly related) items are:

How much flash does it produce? (Home defense, big show at the range)

Is all of the powder burned in the length of the barrel that you are using? (usually better performance is achieved with ~100 burned)

[Walkalong]

A little eye candy please, in the form of a pic of that .357 Redhawk? A Redhawk fan myself, but all I have is the .41 & .44 Mag versions.

[mongoose33]

I'd probably add smoke and dirtiness to your list, but it's pretty comprehensive.

That said, while I'm pretty analytical, when it comes to choosing a powder, I look at what others have suggested and if it seems to have value to them, I'll buy a pound and try it.

Powder is cheap enough to play around with in various loads, and since part of the joy of the hobby is experimenting to see what works well and what doesn't....

[RedHawk357Mag]

Mr Kelbro, hadn't considered the flash aspect. Probably an excellent thing to consider but to be honest if I ever cut loose on those Magnums in the house I am going to be soooo angry. I don't want to imagine the pain of the blast of either of those Magnums in my house. Unburnt powder is also a good indicator to step up the charge a couple of tenths of a grain in the next loading.

Mr WalkAlong, I need to take a couple pics of my guns, just in case somebody decides they need them more than I do. Will post a pic when I get back to KS. Great gun, paid to much for it but I really wanted one and they are getting to be like chicken teeth. And it puts new meaning to the term of "Stupid Strong"

Mr Mongoose, there was a time I had scrawny cylinder throats in all my revolvers but the CylinderSmith cured that problem for me and the dirtiness (leading) went right out the window. But I do quickly wipe down the gun between powder tests while checking for leading in the bore. Probably something to consider when shooting a hundred of the same load to ensure gunking doesn't interfere with the operation of the gun.

All good suggestions. Thanks