Hondo 60
Member
derek45 - oooo-ah-ah-ah down right purty ammo!
I'm always curious about the caution about custom handloads ending up in a different gun.... how exactly does that happen? .357 is running a dollar a shot. Is someone feeling comfortable enough to let themselves pilfer your ammunition?????FYI, Your load with 8.3 gr of Unique is probably over the SAAMI 35,000 psi limit. It is just under the old 1987 Hercules load data I have. The older data used the cup measurement methods. Many loads using the cup method were found to be under reporting peak pressures. Charges were typically reduced quite a bit after they figured out what was going on.
The 2004 Alliant data (using the newer methods that report in psi) goes to 7.8 gr for a 158 JSP. I looked at Alliant on-line data and 7.7 gr was the highest charge I noted for any 158 bullet.
I ran a 158 gr cast with gas check through Quickload and found predicted pressure for 7.7 gr goes right to the SAAMI limit with the bullet seated 0.360" deep. Going down to 7.6 grs lets you seat as deep as 0.377" with predicted pressure right at the limit.
The GP-100 is pretty tough. I am guessing it can take more abuse than your loads. Running a few hot loads through a GP-100 for load testing is one thing. Loading above SAAMI does run some risk given that some of your ammo could potentially end up in a much less stout gun. I would recommend backing off consistent with the Alliant on-line max if you are going to use Unique for a regular load. You will still be getting close to 1300 fps in your 5" revolver.
.16.5 grains of H110 under a Zero 158 grain
Ruger Blackhawk - 7 inch - 1270
A few years back I tested 357 Mag with H110 and a cast and checked 358156, in a 6.5" Blackhawk.
I settled at 15.4 gn, because the velocity peaked very close to what you got.
I added powder to whatever the book(s) max was, but neither velocity nor accuracy changed. The only difference was the muzzle flash (fireball) and report.
I wanna come over and shoot your Coonan.Oh yeah, this load could be tweaked for each of those guns to a pretty big degree. But, the Coonan only get's better up to about 17 grains, which is where pressure signs start appearing for that particular gun......but those bullets are zinging out of there at ~ 1650. 17 grains in a revolver......if you miss your target, you can roast it with the muzzle blast. My normal revolver load is down around 15.5. I definitely think H110 is not the best short barrel revolver powder out there, but it sure runs good in the Coonan and the Marlin.
16.5 is my load with 158s. It does very well for me just like you saw.Oh yeah, this load could be tweaked for each of those guns to a pretty big degree. But, the Coonan only get's better up to about 17 grains, which is where pressure signs start appearing for that particular gun......but those bullets are zinging out of there at ~ 1650. 17 grains in a revolver......if you miss your target, you can roast it with the muzzle blast. My normal revolver load is down around 15.5. I definitely think H110 is not the best short barrel revolver powder out there, but it sure runs good in the Coonan and the Marlin.
Good catch, I would think 7.3gr of Unique would be a good place to start with a 158gr plated bullet for 357 mag.FYI, Your load with 8.3 gr of Unique is probably over the SAAMI 35,000 psi limit.
I have a few friends that buy handloaded ammo from garage sales and pawn shops. Lots of issues. One gave me a bag of rifle rounds... loaded with pistol primers, case length exceeded max trim length, two dangerous conditions, especially together, so it can happen. We all have heard the gunshow KB's.I'm always curious about the caution about custom handloads ending up in a different gun.... how exactly does that happen? .357 is running a dollar a shot. Is someone feeling comfortable enough to let themselves pilfer your ammunition?????
I guess that if you have any intention of someone else using it in a sale transaction, it better be spec in every way. I would never do that for liability reasons.I have a few friends that buy handloaded ammo from garage sales and pawn shops. Lots of issues. One gave me a bag of rifle rounds... loaded with pistol primers, case length exceeded max trim length, two dangerous conditions, especially together, so it can happen. We all have heard the gunshow KB's.
yea, exactly. I hit spec in every way, and test fire each lot, and I still refuse to sell/trade/give away (except in group shoots, with MY firearm). Its very scary that many people buy this regularly. Maybe I'm paranoid because the one time I got a good amount of used ammo, it had a %100 defect rate, but we have a pawnshop that sells used ammo, and I have friends who buy it, and the few times I have seen it, it had bad loads too.I guess that if you have any intention of someone else using it in a sale transaction, it better be spec in every way. I would never do that for liability reasons.
That's a max charge, did you work up to it?Got it straight from the latest Lyman manual