WrongHanded
Member
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2017
- Messages
- 4,771
I did some testing today and thought some of you might like the results.
The load is a RMR 124gr FMJ-FP (Matchwinner), with 8.7gr of Alliant Power Pistol. I used a CCI 500 primer and new Starline .357 SIG cases. With an OAL of 1.140".
Test guns were a Sig P224 with 3.5" barrel, and a G23 with a 4.0" KKM conversion barrel.
I'll talk about accuracy first. When working up this load, I used the G23 off bags at 25yds and shot a 10 shot group for each charge weight. The tightest group was with 8.7gr, which is what we'll call max. Unfortunately, the sights I have on this gun result in a higher POI than I would like. They are Trijicon HDs. They hit about 5" high at this range, give or take. So I had to use a 6 o'Clock hold, and they're not exactly precision sights to boot, with the big orange dot and the U notch on back.
So I was aiming at where the muzzle is pointing. This gave me some undesirable horizontal stringing throughout my testing. The group is 2-3/16" wide, and is 2-5/8" overall including the flier. I'll do more accuracy testing with my G22 and Dawson sights, once I get the conversion barrel. But honestly, I think the load is fairly accurate. I was just having some issues.
So on to the chronograph testing:
It was 48 degrees, somewhat gusty, but I had good shade for the unit. I was shooting 10-12 feet away from it. I should mention that I got a few errors on the unit, which is why the P224 data is 8 instead of 10 shots.
Sig P224 - 8 shots recorded
1332, 1342, 1328, 1336, 1352, 1360, 1346, 1342.
Hi - 1360
Low - 1328
Ave - 1342
E.S. - 32
S.D. - 10
G23 - 10 shots recorded
1419, 1422, 1438, 1426, 1436, 1393, 1424, 1418, 1429, 1439.
Hi - 1439
Low - 1393
Ave - 1424
E.S. - 46
S.D. - 13
Now that low number of 1393 made me wonder if it got a lighter charge, because I didn't measure each and every one in the batch. It looked out of place, so I deleted it and got these figures:
Ave - 1427
E S. - 21
S.D. - 8
Take that for what you will.
I'm surprised that a half inch in barrel length changed the velocity so much. 80-85fps seems like quite a lot. But I'm pleased with the results, so I'm putting the load in here:
Though I suppose depending on who you are, that might be more like 'The Book of Mediocre Loads'.
Hopefully this is useful to some of you.
The load is a RMR 124gr FMJ-FP (Matchwinner), with 8.7gr of Alliant Power Pistol. I used a CCI 500 primer and new Starline .357 SIG cases. With an OAL of 1.140".
Test guns were a Sig P224 with 3.5" barrel, and a G23 with a 4.0" KKM conversion barrel.
I'll talk about accuracy first. When working up this load, I used the G23 off bags at 25yds and shot a 10 shot group for each charge weight. The tightest group was with 8.7gr, which is what we'll call max. Unfortunately, the sights I have on this gun result in a higher POI than I would like. They are Trijicon HDs. They hit about 5" high at this range, give or take. So I had to use a 6 o'Clock hold, and they're not exactly precision sights to boot, with the big orange dot and the U notch on back.
So I was aiming at where the muzzle is pointing. This gave me some undesirable horizontal stringing throughout my testing. The group is 2-3/16" wide, and is 2-5/8" overall including the flier. I'll do more accuracy testing with my G22 and Dawson sights, once I get the conversion barrel. But honestly, I think the load is fairly accurate. I was just having some issues.
So on to the chronograph testing:
It was 48 degrees, somewhat gusty, but I had good shade for the unit. I was shooting 10-12 feet away from it. I should mention that I got a few errors on the unit, which is why the P224 data is 8 instead of 10 shots.
Sig P224 - 8 shots recorded
1332, 1342, 1328, 1336, 1352, 1360, 1346, 1342.
Hi - 1360
Low - 1328
Ave - 1342
E.S. - 32
S.D. - 10
G23 - 10 shots recorded
1419, 1422, 1438, 1426, 1436, 1393, 1424, 1418, 1429, 1439.
Hi - 1439
Low - 1393
Ave - 1424
E.S. - 46
S.D. - 13
Now that low number of 1393 made me wonder if it got a lighter charge, because I didn't measure each and every one in the batch. It looked out of place, so I deleted it and got these figures:
Ave - 1427
E S. - 21
S.D. - 8
Take that for what you will.
I'm surprised that a half inch in barrel length changed the velocity so much. 80-85fps seems like quite a lot. But I'm pleased with the results, so I'm putting the load in here:
Though I suppose depending on who you are, that might be more like 'The Book of Mediocre Loads'.
Hopefully this is useful to some of you.