Pressure Signs??

[LubeckTech]

Is the casing on the left exibiting a sign of excessive pressure?
I loaded and shot 25 .357 200gr cast RN bullets over 10.0gr of 2400 and Federal Magnum primers this weekend. All of them ejected easily with no excessive recoil or key holing and they were accurate. Half of the primers looked like the one on the right and about half looked like the one one the left. The velocity averaged 1080fps from a 6" S&W 686.
Am I seeing "primer flow back" on the left case?

 

[Drail]

I would say that one is running a little higher than the other but it is meaningless. By the time you can "see" any visual indication of excessive pressure you are already over the line. Cain't tell by lookin'. But yes, the primer on the left looks like it's starting to flow a little bit. Personally I would back off of that load some. When using mixed brass you will sometimes "see" different signs on different cases. FWIW, I throw Remington brass in the trash. It's very thin compared to Federal and Winchester and you'll get variations in crimp and neck tension with it. You really do not need Magnum primers with 2400.

 

[Certaindeaf]

That one on the right is so hot it changed an RP case into a Winchester.

 

[rcmodel]

Not even close to a pressure sign in a .357.

Until the primer is flat clear across, level with the case head you are well within pressure limits of the .357 Magnum.

Even then, if hard extraction of a cylinder full of fired rounds is not noticed?
You don't have high or excess pressure.

Your primers in the photo look like what I would expect to see in a .decent 38 Special load.

That one on the right is so hot it changed an RP case into a Winchester.

Thats another thing.
Are you looking for pressure signs while loading mixed brand cases???
Shirley not!

I know, don't call you Shirley!

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The primers look different because the cases are different. Neither are telegraphing a problem.

Might I suggest not using magnum primers with 2400? It's a fact 2400 will perform better with a standard primer over a magnum primer, it's just better.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Once again RC nailed it....If you don't have flat primers and difficult extraction, don't worry.

 

[Certaindeaf]

What are you going to whomp with those 200 grainers?

 

[rcmodel]

Certainly not as much as he could have whomped with 170 Keith SWC's going faster!

rc

 

[Certaindeaf]

Heh. Gotta love the magnums. And Elmer.

 

[Reefinmike]

Not even close to a pressure sign in a .357.

Until the primer is flat clear across, level with the case head you are well within pressure limits of the .357 Magnum.

Even then, if hard extraction of a cylinder full of fired rounds is not noticed?
You don't have high or excess pressure.

Your primers in the photo look like what I would expect to see in a .decent 38 Special load.

Thats another thing.
Are you looking for pressure signs while loading mixed brand cases???
Shirley not!

I know, don't call you Shirley!

rc

I was going to say, I have seen plenty of winchester factory fresh 357 brass with primers that completely flatten out and fill every bit of primer pocket with primer. in my loads, these pictures are about where I stop loading up. usually about 7.5gr 231 under a 125gr plated swc. once you feel tough extraction, there is a sign to back off a good bit.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Very nice picture.

 

[ljnowell]

It doesnt really matter in 357 cases. Before primer reading I would be more concerned with ejection dificulty. I have loads that will out right flatten some primers. Straight across flat. The cases simply fall out though when ejecting. When the cases start getting difficult to eject, you know that you have pushed it.

Again, those primers still have perfectly rounded edges. Google "flattened primers" you will see what they look like then.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It doesnt really matter in 357 cases. Before primer reading I would be more concerned with ejection dificulty. I have loads that will out right flatten some primers. Straight across flat. The cases simply fall out though when ejecting. When the cases start getting difficult to eject, you know that you have pushed it.

Again, those primers still have perfectly rounded edges. Google "flattened primers" you will see what they look like then.

I have seen factory .357 Magnum ammo, mostly Winchester, with completely flat primers and there is no case ejection problems at all. Looking at them you would swear the pressures are off the scale and the cases had to be banged out with a hammer but no, they are really fine.

 

[ljnowell]

have seen factory .357 Magnum ammo, mostly Winchester, with completely flat primers and there is no case ejection problems at all. Looking at them you would swear the pressures are off the scale and the cases had to be banged out with a hammer but no, they are really fine.

Yep, thats exactly what I mean. Sometimes 357 mag and 44 mag will flatten a primer, doesnt mean its overpressure.

 

[LubeckTech]

What are you going to whomp with those 200 grainers?

I have been working on loads for a bowling pin match I regularly shoot at Dillon Sportsmens Center in Zanesville, Ohio (Nashport actually). http://www.llrpc.com/
The powders I have been using are H110, W231, Red Dot and as mentioned 2400.
Here is a link to a video of the November match;

http://lubecktechgunsnstuff.shutterfly.com/pictures

Video is on the right side of the page.

The bullet I am using is cast from range ebay range scrap lead in a Lyman 358430 mould and my goal is a load that gives a power factor in the 200 range with the best controlability. Plus I am trying to diversify my loads as for the forseable future powder availability is a problem so I have to work with what I can get. This bullet works well for an IDPA ESR major load in a 38spl case used with moonclips.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Excellent. That range lead is probably optimal for upset/maximum smack. Do those RN's tend to glance?

 

[LubeckTech]

Not much. With pins about anything seems to glance if you don't solidly connect which knocks the pin down but not off the table. In the center fire divisions the pin must be off the table and a down pin tends to be a much more difficult target especially if it is turned end facing you! SWC hollow points and soft lead bullets transfer energy best.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I hear you. I've never shot bowling pin.. has always looked like fun. I would imagine it'd be all too easy to go into machine gun mode instead of being a perfect little sniper.

 

[gamestalker]

As RC said, not even approaching high end pressures for .357 mag.. In all honesty, those would look very wimpy, almost too low pressured.

GS

 

[LubeckTech]

As RC said, not even approaching high end pressures for .357 mag.. In all honesty, those would look very wimpy, almost too low pressured.

GS

Very true but a good load for my purposes as they thump bowling pins nicely and I can get to the next shot quickly!!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

A good heavy bullet with a wide flat meplat at moderate velocities will do a good job on bowling pins alright.