I tried out a new powder, some new loads, and some new bullets today at the range. Just because I list the loads does not mean you should try them in your gun.
The first was a 180 grain XTP (.357 diameter) long loaded in front of 15 grains of Lil Gun. By long loaded I mean crimped in the lower cannelure. Since I don't have a chronograph I don't know the speed, but my load data estimated it at 1422 fps. It grouped at 2-3 inches off a bag full of shot at 25 yards. The second was a similar load but loaded in the upper cannelure, and it was also somewhere between 2 and 3 inches at 25 yards.
Now's the kicker: I shot a control load of which I have grouped at 2.5 inches and it was at least a 6 inch group this time at 25 yards. The control load is 14 grains of 2400 behind a 158 grain coated, bevel based LSWC (.358).
It became worse when I tried a coated 158 grain bevel based LSWC in front of 17 grains of Lil gun (estimated at 1445 fps) and 19 grains of Lil gun (1559 fps), with bullets landing all over the paper plate in a shotgun type pattern for both loads. This was all supported single action off a bag of shot.
Finally, I shot another control load of Miwall 158 grain TMJ, and it shot another 2-3 inch group at 25 yards.
Any ideas what may be happening, and what I could do to improve it? I really prefer shooting LSWC because they are much cheaper than jacketed.
The first was a 180 grain XTP (.357 diameter) long loaded in front of 15 grains of Lil Gun. By long loaded I mean crimped in the lower cannelure. Since I don't have a chronograph I don't know the speed, but my load data estimated it at 1422 fps. It grouped at 2-3 inches off a bag full of shot at 25 yards. The second was a similar load but loaded in the upper cannelure, and it was also somewhere between 2 and 3 inches at 25 yards.
Now's the kicker: I shot a control load of which I have grouped at 2.5 inches and it was at least a 6 inch group this time at 25 yards. The control load is 14 grains of 2400 behind a 158 grain coated, bevel based LSWC (.358).
It became worse when I tried a coated 158 grain bevel based LSWC in front of 17 grains of Lil gun (estimated at 1445 fps) and 19 grains of Lil gun (1559 fps), with bullets landing all over the paper plate in a shotgun type pattern for both loads. This was all supported single action off a bag of shot.
Finally, I shot another control load of Miwall 158 grain TMJ, and it shot another 2-3 inch group at 25 yards.
Any ideas what may be happening, and what I could do to improve it? I really prefer shooting LSWC because they are much cheaper than jacketed.
Last edited: