larry syverson
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2011
- Messages
- 22
I have a new Henry Repeating Arms lever action rifle in .357 caliber, 18.5 in barrel. I'm still working on a reload for it and I have a question regarding my latest results. So far I haven't found much with regard to handloading .357 ammor for use in a Henry. If you look at the picture you will see a few spent cartridges. The top example is most prominent in demonstrating what I'm seeing. After firing the cartridge has a small step in it. The short area near the base measures to the orignal cartridge size. The remainder of the cartridge is swollen about 3 mils. Just barely seeable.. transition noted with the arrow. Firing factory Winchester .357 loads do not result in this swelling, just my reload. My question is since this is a lever action rifle some people have told me this is "normal" because of how the lever action seats the cartridge. I'm wondering if the load isn't a little too hot. I'm using a 158 gr. JHP bullet, 7.2 gr. of Hodgdon Universal powder and CCI small pistol magnum primers. The Hodgdon recommendation for this load (.357 pistol) is 5.8 to 6.3 gr. of Universal. It lists the same data for both a handgun OR a rifle. I used nickel plated cartridges in the photo because its easier to see the step but it does the same thing on non plated brass cartridges. Any ideas? I've run a box of these through this gun and there doesn't seem to be any ill affects.
Some people also say Universal isn't a very good choice of powder for this application and that you need a slower powder for use in a rifle due to the barrel length.
One other thing which I thought was a bit odd is when I put alternating handloads and factory Winchester loads and shoot them back to back I find that the report is MUCH different. My handload is much quieter than the factory Winchester load... and I mean a LOT quieter. Due to the powder burn rate??? maybe?
Some people also say Universal isn't a very good choice of powder for this application and that you need a slower powder for use in a rifle due to the barrel length.
One other thing which I thought was a bit odd is when I put alternating handloads and factory Winchester loads and shoot them back to back I find that the report is MUCH different. My handload is much quieter than the factory Winchester load... and I mean a LOT quieter. Due to the powder burn rate??? maybe?