Berry's 350gr 500 magnum- Best powder

[Reefinmike]

Does anybody have any insight on loading this bullet? I would be much more comfortable loading this bullet as berry's suggests(starting to midrange 350gr jacketed data) if the cannelure were anywhere near other bullet designs. I really dont like how much of the bullet has to sit outside the case considering the generally finicky nature of magnum pistol powders. I'm looking to load moderate level magnum cartridges. I have the following suitable powders:

W296
H110
Lil'Gun
AA1680
AA#9
IMR4227

 

[Shaq]

I've loaded & shot quite a bit of that bullet using 21 Gr. Longshot powder & Win Lg. Rifle Primers. Very accurate & around 1500 fps. Not too much recoil.

 

[Reefinmike]

Well, i took out ten rounds loaded with 40gr w296 and a nice firm roll crimp. Ive seen a few mention using this charge as well as someone i ran into at the range. First shot threw some stuff back, probably powder. Second shot was a poof- squib! I half expected this. This is the first squib i have ever had with 296. I am using standard large rifle primers because everywhere i read states that the lrp is more than adequate to ignite that case capacity. I realize that using magnum rifle primers may help but i really feel the issue stems from the poor case fill with this bullet- the reason i posted this thread! Does anyone know what powder may do better with this long seated bullet? I have lilgun, aa1680, aa#9, imr4227. i sure would hate to have to load all these with a plinking load of unique. My free cast bullets go best with plinking loads.

 

[Walkalong]

I'm looking to load moderate level magnum cartridges

AA #9

 

[DeadEye9]

I like the LilGun for my magnum loads. Long shot and AA #9 have both been used with success but I use LiLGun for 300gr Berrys plated bullets with the most success. For a light load, 30.5-31gr with a large rifle primer works well and doesn't kick up high pressure if your worried about forcing cone erosion. If you want a full house load, start around 38gr and work up. I've personally maxed out at 45.2gr in my Xframe with the 300gr pill. The revolver may be able to take more but my wrist wanted no part to anything "hotter".

 

[Reefinmike]

I like the LilGun for my magnum loads. Long shot and AA #9 have both been used with success but I use LiLGun for 300gr Berrys plated bullets with the most success. For a light load, 30.5-31gr with a large rifle primer works well and doesn't kick up high pressure if your worried about forcing cone erosion. If you want a full house load, start around 38gr and work up. I've personally maxed out at 45.2gr in my Xframe with the 300gr pill. The revolver may be able to take more but my wrist wanted no part to anything "hotter".

I was thinking of trying lilgun next. Even though you are using the lighter 300gr bullet, it looks as if it performs for you loaded down ~30% from your max. I have read of a couple instances where people have success with 35.0gr lilgun and the 350gr berrys plated. I'll also try the AA#9 as you and walkalong suggest if I dont like what the lilgun loads do. Does #9 perform well with air space in the case? And yes, I realize this is one of those cases where 2400 would be the perfect powder but I dont have any and I'd like to make one of the 5 magnum pistol powders I have work.

Today was kinda a weird day at the range and I think the temperature had a role. It was about 30 degrees and prior to sticking a bullet in the 500 I had one of my tested and proven loads give a lighter than expected recoil. I checked the cylinder and found some unburnt powder. That load was 35gr aa1680 + lee 460gr cast bullet loaded long. I have fired probably 250 rounds of that particular load with no issue. I just cleaned my AR and found a good bit of unburnt powder in the action as well. That load was 300blk with a lee 225gr boolit and 11.8gr aa1680. This is a newer loading but I previously fired 300 rounds with no noticeable unburnt powder.