Buck13
Member
Results from my first day at the range with handloads:
100 gr Rainier plated RNFP, 3.4-3.5 gr Unique (individually weighed), 1.585" OAL, crimped with Lee FCD 3/4 turn past first contact. Seemed fairly consistent, did not notice variation in recoil. Cases mostly clean outside, a couple with grimy edges at the mouth.
90 gr Hornady lead SWC, 3.5-3.7 gr Unique (dipped and struck, weights of test measures and about 1/5th of charges), 1.57" OAL, crimped with Lee bullet seating die "full crimp" in my notes, which I think meant a full turn past the first contact with the case mouth. (Both loads were new Starline brass and CCI small pistol primers.) More variation in recoil and case condition with the SWC. Notice one or two rounds with light-seeming recoil, and a couple with definitely more pop than others. The latter were the cleanest cases--pretty sure about that--and the lightest I think came out dirtiest. These gave my tightest 5 shot group, 2-3/8" rested @ 25 yards, but that's probably by default, since I don't think I shot a group with the Rainiers with the same care.
Any thoughts? I *think* the charging and crimping was pretty consistent, but since I was unsupervised, can't say for sure. I'm not sure how else to explain the large variation in felt recoil. Given how big the case is relative to the charge, maybe powder positioning? Between that question, sticking to my funnel and amount of unburned powder, I'm about ready to be done with Unique. Half-way through this session, I had a moment of the revolver's action misbehaving, which seemed to be due to the latch choking on powder flakes.
When I picked up the #9 for my new 10mm, I got a bottle of Trail Boss to try in the .32-20 to see if it solves any of these problems. I'm also going to get some 115 or 120 grain lead bullets. Those seem more authentic for the caliber.
100 gr Rainier plated RNFP, 3.4-3.5 gr Unique (individually weighed), 1.585" OAL, crimped with Lee FCD 3/4 turn past first contact. Seemed fairly consistent, did not notice variation in recoil. Cases mostly clean outside, a couple with grimy edges at the mouth.
90 gr Hornady lead SWC, 3.5-3.7 gr Unique (dipped and struck, weights of test measures and about 1/5th of charges), 1.57" OAL, crimped with Lee bullet seating die "full crimp" in my notes, which I think meant a full turn past the first contact with the case mouth. (Both loads were new Starline brass and CCI small pistol primers.) More variation in recoil and case condition with the SWC. Notice one or two rounds with light-seeming recoil, and a couple with definitely more pop than others. The latter were the cleanest cases--pretty sure about that--and the lightest I think came out dirtiest. These gave my tightest 5 shot group, 2-3/8" rested @ 25 yards, but that's probably by default, since I don't think I shot a group with the Rainiers with the same care.
Any thoughts? I *think* the charging and crimping was pretty consistent, but since I was unsupervised, can't say for sure. I'm not sure how else to explain the large variation in felt recoil. Given how big the case is relative to the charge, maybe powder positioning? Between that question, sticking to my funnel and amount of unburned powder, I'm about ready to be done with Unique. Half-way through this session, I had a moment of the revolver's action misbehaving, which seemed to be due to the latch choking on powder flakes.
When I picked up the #9 for my new 10mm, I got a bottle of Trail Boss to try in the .32-20 to see if it solves any of these problems. I'm also going to get some 115 or 120 grain lead bullets. Those seem more authentic for the caliber.
, but I'll stick with the Unique for the Rainiers until I can buy (or ideally trade the Unique for) another fast powder.
