Lyman #49 Pistol Accuracy Notes

[LiveLife]

While continuing to do load development for .308, I noticed some load data indicated the most accurate loads with specific powders and charges.

Lyman #49 indicates best suitable powders for particular caliber and the "potentially most accurate load" in bold. I have compared my own "accurate" loads with Lyman's recommendations and got some confirmations and new powder/charge combos to try out.

What do you think about their recommendations and how do they compare to your loads/testing?

(Disclaimer: Following is a compilation of load data for comparison use only - Refer to Lyman #49 for accuracy and complete load data)


POTENTIALLY MOST ACCURATE LOADS:

380 Auto:
"W231 is an outstanding performer with all weight bullets in this cartridge."
90 JHC - Bullseye 2.9 gr, 970 fps, .925" OAL
95 FMJ - W231 2.9 gr, 939 fps, .900" OAL
115 JHP - 700X 2.5 gr, 921 fps, .956" OAL
90 LRN - W231 3.5 gr, 1000 fps, .980" OAL
120 LRN - W231 3.2 gr, 946 fps, .980" OAL


9mm Luger:
"Bullseye, W231 and Unique are very good popular propellants for this cartridge."
115 JHP - Power Pistol 6.5 gr, 1212 fps, 1.090" OAL
125 JHP - AA#7 7.8 gr, 1119 fps, 1.075" OAL
147 TMJ (Speer) - N340 3.9 gr, 935 fps, 1.115" OAL
120 LRN - N340 4.0 gr, 1047 fps, 1.065" OAL
120 LCNFP - N340 4.0 gr, 986 fps, 1.110" OAL
147 LRNFP - Power Pistol 4.6 gr, 1033 fps, 1.058" OAL


40S&W:
"Accuracy in most handguns is very good, especially with Bullseye, W231 and AA #5.
Warning: Only use this data in handguns that fully support the cartridge in the chamber. If used in unsupported chambers, cases can rupture and cause harm to the shooter or bystanders."
135 JHP - Bullseye 5.5 gr, 1070 fps, 1.085" OAL
150 JHP - W231 5.0 gr, 799 fps, 1.100" OAL
155 Silvertip - Power Pistol 7.8 gr, 1082 fps, 1.125" OAL
165 TMJ (Speer) - Power Pistol 7.0 gr, 953 fps, 1.120" OAL
175 Silvertip - WST 5.7 gr, 991 fps, 1.125" OAL
180 JHP - 800X 7.4 gr, 1013 fps, 1.115" OAL
190 JFP - N340 5.6 gr, 870 fps, 1.135" OAL
150 LTCFP - AA#2 5.0 gr, 1041 fps, 1.090" OAL
175 LRNFP - N340 5.8 gr, 1038 fps, 1.125" OAL
175 LTCFP - N340 5.4 gr, 1008 fps, 1.100" OAL


45 ACP / 45 Auto:
"Bullseye, Unique and W231 often give best results with most bullet weights in this cartridge."
185 JSWC - Bullseye 5.6 gr, 975 fps, 1.135" OAL
185 JHP - HP-38 5.8 gr, 960 fps, 1.175" OAL
200 JHP - Bullseye 5.7 gr, 942 fps, 1.178" OAL
225 JHP - Unique 6.7 gr, 883 fps, 1.243" OAL
230 TMJ (Speer) - 700X 4.8 gr, 867 fps, 1.275" OAL
200 LRNFP - W231 6.0 gr, 987 fps, 1.161" OAL (**Designates use of Federal cases)
200 LTCFP - Bullseye 6.0 gr, 909 fps, 1.235" OAL
225 LRN - W231 5.8 gr, 902 fps, 1.272" OAL (**Designates use of Federal cases)

 

[_N4Z_]

I have had success with some of their accuracy load recommendations, though some seem to work better than others.

With .357mag their accuracy load for the 158gr jacketed bullets in rifle was top notch, though it exceeds the powder manufacturers max loading.

For 7.62x54r their 180gr listing with IMR4350 works very well in my rifles, but the Varget listing does not. (There are two accuracy listing in this instance) I have recently been using the 4350 load in competitive matches lately, and it is good.

Tried the 125gr .357mag rifle accuracy listing with the H110 and was not impressed so go figure. In all fairness I have not exactly matched components with everything I have tested.

It is a good resource that I use frequently.

 

[LiveLife]

What is interesting about Lyman's "potentially most accurate loads" is that Bullseye, W231 and Unique are mentioned as:

Bullseye, W231 and Unique are very good popular propellants for this cartridge.

Accuracy in most handguns is very good, especially with Bullseye, W231 and AA #5

Bullseye, Unique and W231 often give best results with most bullet weights in this cartridge.

But the listed "potentially most accurate loads" include other powders.


Kinda reminds me of Celine Dion saying, "This next song is for the children ..." I go, "Ahhh, that's nice." I thought she was doing a special song for the children, then she says, "and the parents" ... wait a minute, that's everyone in the audience!

 

[J_McLeod]

I can't comment on the accuracy, because I've only used 231 and HS-6, but their data is very light. I've used 115gr FMJ, 124gr Rainier HP, and 147gr LRN and I always need to go near Lyman's max charge.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

When trying to decide on where to start with loading the .223 for a bolt gun I bought I gave one of their "potentially most accurate load" a try. It's a 55gr bullet over 25.0gr Varget.

Well let me tell you something! I had to look no further because that load delivered sub 1/2MOA @100 yards accuracy in my rifle. In this case they got it just right...

 

[J_McLeod]

When trying to decide on where to start with loading the .223 for a bolt gun I bought I gave one of their "potentially most accurate load" a try. It's a 55gr bullet over 25.0gr Varget.

Well let me tell you something! I had to look no further because that load delivered sub 1/2MOA @100 yards accuracy in my rifle. In this case they got it just right...

Glad to hear it. Makes me look forward to my next range trip even more. This was one of the cases where Lyman's data matched Hodgdon's. I've 20 rounds of 55gr FMJ behind 25gr of Varget in the garage waiting to go out.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I thought it was a fluke when I shot the first group but the next 3 groups were equally small. I hope that load works as well for you as it did for me.

 

[J_McLeod]

I'm using an SU-16 with a cheap sight and even cheaper attachment method, so I won't expect it the same results you got, but glad to hear that it worked so well for you. The first batch shot well, but I was only doing a function check at 25m. If I get decent groups, I'll stick with that load at least until i run out of Varget.