Just building a complete reference for junior. This is my first loading shortage so I will be prepared. If I could only buy one powder I can get it done with a few right now. #9 would be first choice, Silhouette a close second.Are you using the last of your powder or making sure all your bases are covered.
Sw heavy pistol is on the testing list, supposed to be very close. I'll post some comparisons.Silhouette is a nice powder for 9 and 38 Special. I haven’t come across any #9 to try it.
I don't know how you adventure but their are options. If you use grt or quickloads that's an easy option. Second choice is to compare it to like powders accurate 4100, 296/h110 and use simular loads. You can start at jacketed start loads and stop before jacketed max.I have seen that a couple times. Ramshot Enforcer is also locally available but I haven’t found any data for cast loads.
For long range shooting beyond 50 yards with a revolver, would you all rather have top accuracy with a velocity around 850 to 1100 fps or give up a smidge of accuracy for velocity over 1400 fps?
So you plan to hunt with a 125? I don't shoot bullets that lite, are you getting decent penitration at hunting ranges. The energy numbers game is good on paper but I'd want the sectional density of a heavier bullet. A 125 near 1000 fps is like hunting with a 9mm but slower. A 180 at 1k is a little more robust.I have a couple of loads that could hold under 4” at 50 yards if I can. CFE Pistol and W231 both were under 1.5” at 25 yards. Alliant 2400 shot about 1.6” at 25. These are all with 125 grain cast bullets. Alliant 2400 pushes down under 1.25” consistently with 158 grain XTPs. However that load is more than double the cost of the cast loads. I doubt I’ll use it very often but I’ll keep a couple cylinders worth for special occasions. I won’t use the cast loads to hunt so damage and velocity aren’t an issue there. I’ll probably go with the CFEP load around 1200-1250 fps. The W231 load was slightly more accurate but velocity was down around 1000 fps or so. I can use it for a shorter range target load.
At what?For long range shooting beyond 50 yards
Penetration is irrelevant to paper - unless you download to the point that the bullet won’t go through the backing - but punch is very relevant in to silhouettes. You should plan on developing two different loads. Labels are cheap.Paper and maybe steel silhouettes.
Hopping into the way back machine, here. . In my 20’s I routinely took wild pigs on the hoof in dense scrub at up to 10yds shooting single-/off-hand from the ground. Me and piggy both at a flat run. Nowadays I need time to switch glasses so I can see the pig and front sight simultaneously. I think you’re going to find it depends on how you are doing that day but I will say developing two loads is not hard and will save you some aggravation. Just probably.If I get that far I’ll develop a separate load with 158 or 180 grain bullets. For now I just want to see how far I can go with a handgun.
Definitely work up a second load. Target shoot with a pop gun. Use the barn burner for hunting.If I get that far I’ll develop a separate load with 158 or 180 grain bullets. For now I just want to see how far I can go with a handgun.
That seems to happen most with light bullets and slow powders. I just stay above 140 and don't worry about it.Definitely work up a second load. Target shoot with a pop gun. Use the barn burner for hunting.
I followed the barn burner load all the time and destroyed a nice revolver.