desmobob
Member
...using 158gr. JHPs and one of these powders:
- Unique
- Blue Dot
- N340
- Longshot
- SR7625
- Power Pistol
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Unique is what I use. H110 is for full strength loads not mild to medium loads is my understanding. Never have tried any of the others.
I probably shouldn't have put H110 on the list... I guess even the "starting" loads for H110 are pretty hot. H110 is off the list.
I've heard it said that Blue Dot is similar in that it prefers to be used in loads more toward top end, but I've had good luck with a 7gr. load of Blue Dot. (Alliant lists the max charge as ten+ grains.)
After reading Slamfire's post back in May(as in post #8 above),I tried his load of 4.5 gr of Unique. Instead of a 158gr LRN,I used a Penn 158gr TCBB. I found this to a very accurate mild load in both my Vaquero and Model 73 lever rifle. I also recommend 4.2 to 4.5gr W231/Hp38 for a lead 158gr bullet
I've used 6 gr. of Blue Dot with plated bullets for my economy/plinking load out of my Henry and it does well. Surprisingly pretty accurate; a pie plate or an 8" square inside 100 yards is a gimme and I've shot it out to 150 with success. Seems to burn pretty cleanly too.
It seems a lot of folks dislike Blue Dot. As an old-school shotshell reloader, I always have some around. I also use it a lot in 9mm and .40 S&W loads. Some of my most accurate hot 9mm loads use Blue Dot. My 7gr. Blue Dot/158gr. JHP load shoots nicely in my .357 without excessive muzzle blast/flash.
It seems a lot of folks dislike Blue Dot.
You and I must have the same kind of dipper sets.6.2 gr is also what one of my dippers holds, so that works too.
My notes say that 6.5 is a "good shooter", all 158 gr lead, but also rates it for medium to large sized guns (in my hands). My small-gun load with 125 gr is 6.2 gr of BE-86, an extrapolated load averaging 38+p and 357 Mag minimum for a common powder.My pet load is 6.2gr unique under my 158gr cast bullets.
Accurate results with everything from sp101 to marlin 1894c.
6.2 gr is also what one of my dippers holds, so that works too.
Another powder I believe is in this category is AA#9.