Just got back from the range with the new loads and have mixed reports.
I worked up 5 loads of 10 bullets each at 4.3, 5.0, 5.7, 6.1 and 6.7gr of Unique. All produced noticeable leading increasing in severity the hotter the load was. I put the 4.3 and 5.0 loads down range, started the 5.7gr loads and observed wildly inaccurate placement. From 7 yards, they were up to 12 inches low and/or left from my point of aim. Boresnaking a few times every 5 shots seemed to help but accuracy was still poor the rest up the way up through the 6.7gr loads. I'm presuming it's from the leading which appeared much heavier on the bottom of the bore closest to the cylinder, virtually none in the middle or near the muzzle.
I searched around the forum a bit and it sounds like either I'm not pushing them fast enough or pushing it way too fast. I'm leaning towards not fast enough since I saw the same leading yesterday on the 3.7gr "tooters" (my new official nickname for soft target loads xD). Speer lists starting with 5.5gr of Unique @ ~970fps then maxing with 6.0gr @ ~1030fps but "not going higher or excessive leading may result". Several folks here have said that 7.0gr is still a "mildish" magnum load, some even go up to 8.0+. I'm not really worried yet about damaging my gun being the beefy Ruger that it is. Also, factory Remington UMC .357 125gr JSP's still kick substantially harder, louder and with more flash. Without a chronograph, I really have no idea how fast I'm shooting...could loading them hotter still possibly help? Also, I have a 1lb container of Hodgdon H110 I wanted to try next but just learned that it really doesn't like snubbies being the slow burner that it is. Could it at least be worth a try?
...and yes, it's the most fun I've had in a long time =)
I worked up 5 loads of 10 bullets each at 4.3, 5.0, 5.7, 6.1 and 6.7gr of Unique. All produced noticeable leading increasing in severity the hotter the load was. I put the 4.3 and 5.0 loads down range, started the 5.7gr loads and observed wildly inaccurate placement. From 7 yards, they were up to 12 inches low and/or left from my point of aim. Boresnaking a few times every 5 shots seemed to help but accuracy was still poor the rest up the way up through the 6.7gr loads. I'm presuming it's from the leading which appeared much heavier on the bottom of the bore closest to the cylinder, virtually none in the middle or near the muzzle.
I searched around the forum a bit and it sounds like either I'm not pushing them fast enough or pushing it way too fast. I'm leaning towards not fast enough since I saw the same leading yesterday on the 3.7gr "tooters" (my new official nickname for soft target loads xD). Speer lists starting with 5.5gr of Unique @ ~970fps then maxing with 6.0gr @ ~1030fps but "not going higher or excessive leading may result". Several folks here have said that 7.0gr is still a "mildish" magnum load, some even go up to 8.0+. I'm not really worried yet about damaging my gun being the beefy Ruger that it is. Also, factory Remington UMC .357 125gr JSP's still kick substantially harder, louder and with more flash. Without a chronograph, I really have no idea how fast I'm shooting...could loading them hotter still possibly help? Also, I have a 1lb container of Hodgdon H110 I wanted to try next but just learned that it really doesn't like snubbies being the slow burner that it is. Could it at least be worth a try?
...and yes, it's the most fun I've had in a long time =)
but now I hear that can be dangerous >.> oops...