AA #9 w/.357 Magnum Nosler 158's.

[Crashbox]

I did some Googling around and it does appear that the 0.775 length from Nosler data and QuickLOAD is incorrect. An older (3.6?) version of QL had the bullet length at 0.669, which is certainly a good deal closer to what I measured. Methinks I'll edit the .bul data file to correct it.

 

[Crashbox]

Not to belabor this, but if anyone else has a box of Nosler 44841's and either a micrometer or set of calipers handy and wouldn't mind taking a measurement or two of the projectiles and posting the results, it would be terrific in my opinion.

 

[Crashbox]

Well, I loaded up some test rounds at 11.7, 12.1 and 12.5 grains of AA#9, respectively. Seated them at 1.600 OAL. The 12.5 load shot the best of them and still seemed to want more. Still debating this, but I may try 13.0 grains even though QuickLOAD says it is over the 35K PSI limit though not by very much. We'll see.

Funny thing is, I expected more recoil than I got- hmmm...

Those Noslers are a fine bullet IMO, especially for the price.

 

[gamestalker]

It's a great powder for that combination, and should deliver some very typical .357 mag. velocities.

That's coming from a major H110/296 fan too, so ya, load on, you'll like it.

GS

 

[Crashbox]

What really surprised me about this so far, is how soft-shooting the combo seems to be. I should probably run them over my Oehler chronograph just to see what they're doing and how well it compares to QuickLOAD velocities (QL has been very accurate so far for me). My standard target load of MBC 140-grain TCFP cast bullets loaded with 7.7 grains of Herco produces substantially more recoil. Puzzling.

Maybe my scale is weighing light... the chrono won't lie, though.

 

[41 Mag]

My "new" favorite load uses my home cast 160gr HP over 13grs of #9. I get consistant 1300 +/- 15 or so fps from that load in my 6" GP-100's.

Now bear in mind that the cast bullet is a bit more slippery than the jacketed, so if your headed to 13grs be aware of possible pressure issues.

 

[Crashbox]

My "new" favorite load uses my home cast 160gr HP over 13grs of #9. I get consistant 1300 +/- 15 or so fps from that load in my 6" GP-100's.

Now bear in mind that the cast bullet is a bit more slippery than the jacketed, so if your headed to 13grs be aware of possible pressure issues.

I was aware of the friction differences, but thank you for the reminder- you can never be too safe. I always keep an eye out for pressure signs because I am known to run 'em on the hot side.

Even Rugers can KABOOM which is what my .357 and .44 Magnums are...

 

[2ndtimer]

I have used a lot of Accurate No. 9 in .357 Magnum over the years. Very good Magnum handgun powder, and similar to 2400 in that it offers more loading flexibility than W-296 or H-110. I have watched the gradual decline in loading data for lots of cartridges over the last 35 years and the .357 Magnum is one of the most obvious victims.
Example: Speer No. 9 loading manual shows testing with a 6" barrel Ruger Security Six, with their 158 gr jacketed bullets and 2400 powder, they show a starting load of 13.9 gr with a CCI-550 Magnum primer, with a maximum load of 15.9 gr for 1335 fps. Their No. 12 manual shows a maximum load of just 12.5 gr for 1089 fps out of a 6" Model 19. To paraphrase The Joker in the "Dark Knight", "What happened? Did Speer‘s balls fall off?" I mean, seriously, the maximum load listed is now 10% below the old STARTING load? Of course, the standard answer is "better pressure measuring equipment", different powder formulations, etc. I also believe SAAMI reduced the pressure ratings for the .357 Magnum cartridge due to the K frame Smith &Lessons and later, the J frames being chambered for the .357 Magnum.
So, if you are shooting a robust large frame .357, I would still work up gradually, but I would not worry too much about approaching or exceeding 14.0 gr of No. 9 with a 158 gr jacketed bullet. The Lyman 49th Edition shows a maximum load of 14.9 gr for both 2400 and Accurate No. 9 for that bullet weight.
I am not an engineer, but the old Speer No. Listed the maximum pressure for the .357 Magnum as 46,000 cup, while current SAAMI shows it as 35,000 psi. Can anyone say whether or not SAAMI has indeed "detuned" the .357?

 

[Crashbox]

I loaded up some at 13.0 grains this morning and they all shot fine, no pressure issues. This is probably the load I'll stick with as far as the Nosler 158's go; I might bump it up just a hair but I doubt it.

Thanks a million y'all for your input and advice.

 

[Crashbox]

[SNIP] I am not an engineer, but the old Speer No. Listed the maximum pressure for the .357 Magnum as 46,000 cup, while current SAAMI shows it as 35,000 psi. Can anyone say whether or not SAAMI has indeed "detuned" the .357? [/SNIP]

I've heard that SAAMI did in fact do so, and would like to positively know yea or nay as well.

 

[cswpsi]

Not to belabor this, but if anyone else has a box of Nosler 44841's and either a micrometer or set of calipers handy and wouldn't mind taking a measurement or two of the projectiles and posting the results, it would be terrific in my opinion.

First off, I'm fairly new to .357 mag, so I haven't loaded much for this caliber. In fact, only 2400, at this point, which I found very light for a magnum (still working on that loading).

But , I do have a box of Nosler 44841 and did some measurements. Your findings are very close to what I found. Bullet OAL = .680" on average. Based on (new Starline) brass with case length = 1.282" and seating to COAL = 1.582" (center of cannelure) the seating depth come to .380"

 

[Crashbox]

Thank you, cswpsi. I also use Starline brass, and I likely just rounded it to 0.375 since that is 3/8". I think your measurement of 0.380" is in fact the correct one, not that 0.005" would cause a KB... I changed the .bul file in QuickLOAD to reflect the older, true measurement versus the now-errant one.

Thanks again.

 

[cswpsi]

No problem, Crashbox. This thread is very interesting. AA#9 is my next 357 test load, so the info here is welcome. Already have a lbs of #9 and hope to work up these loads in the near future. Thanks for the research you've provided from QL.

 

[DWFan]

I used to use AA#9 to duplicate the Remington factory .357 Magnum loads in 125gr and 158gr. Those loads are listed in Accurate's #3.2.2 online manual. I have since switched to the slightly slower XTP's and AA-4100/Ramshot Enforcer (same powder) because it does the same thing but burns cleaner.