I look forward to hearing your results!
Okay, went out today. All .357 magnum. Shot factory JSP Federal American Eagle. Shot three different XTP handloads with 2400. And then Shot 100 rounds of cast LSWC, These were all 158 gr Cast Performance "Heat Treated Solids." I had previously had trouble with these bullets and had hardness tested them at 22 BHN. For the reloads I had sets of between 8 and 10 cartridges at each particular charge for the different loads I shot. The targets below represent all of the shots from one of those particular sets.
My XTP loads were all okay, and the heaviest load was the best, but not great. About how I shoot the Federal American Eagle. The loads seemed to get more accurate as power increased. Perhaps the magic 2400 XTP load is just a little hotter than the 13.6 Grains of 2400 shown below. 11 rounds shot at 12 yards. With reg primer.
View attachment 797001
The real revelation was the lead bullets - the 158 Grain LSWC at 22 BHN from Cast Performance that has given me trouble before.. There was this, 9 shot group at 12 yards, also 13.6 grains but this time Accurate No.9 with mag primer. One weird flyer. I think somebody pranked me when I went to the office to buy more targets.
(Target is turned 90 degrees in photo)
View attachment 797002
Today's winner was the same cast bullet over 15.6 grains of W296. Without the flyer, the Accurate No. 9 would have been tops. I'm going to retest that load again. Anyway, here is the W296 target. Loaded with mag primer. Also turned 90 degrees.
View attachment 797003
All in all, my accuracy appears not to have degraded with jacketed ammo be it reload or factory. But the lead looks much improved. I may not melt down my Cast Performance 158s after all. I'll do future testing concentrating on W296, Acc No.9, and heaver loads of 2400. But today, I'm happy
Also, I held the gun while seated, with the grip on bag and the barrel unsupported. So pretty braced up but no barrel support.
