Unburned IMR 4227 in 357 mag

[Mr_Flintstone]

I try to use this as a general rule of thumb: fast powder = short barrels/light bullets, slow powders = long barrels/heavy bullets. However, there are exceptions to every rule. On this one though, if you try to use a light charge of 4227 with a light .357 bullet from a short barrel, you will be sorely disappointed. But if you want to load a 158 or 170 gr bullet for use in a .357 lever action, 4227 rocks!

 

[Bcwitt]

4227 is more of a rifle powder. Will be a bit touchy in 357mag. Load hot, crimp tight. Better yet, go with a slightly faster powder.

 

[GarrettJ]

Years ago I pitted the front of my chronograph at 15 feet with unburnt 4227 kernels.

I had the same experience. Chrono front looked like it had been hit in the face with a load of rat shot.

I had played with IMR4227 around 20 years ago. It threw massive amounts of unburned everywhere. It didn’t matter if I was loading top end, bottom end, or in between. I was primarily loading .357 Mag and .45 Colt. I would expect the low pressure .45 to have some unburned powder, but the higher pressure .357 should have cleaned up, and did not.

There are other excellent magnum powders out there that done have this issue. I choose to use them rather than 4227.

 

[Hanshi]

IMR/H4227 powders are awesome in my .22 Hornet but I rarely use it for anything else. For the .357 I much prefer 2400, H110 & 296. 2400 often leaves what appear to be unburned kernels but the velocity/uniformity are still excellent.

 

[Alaskamike]

IMR/H4227 powders are awesome in my .22 Hornet but I rarely use it for anything else. For the .357 I much prefer 2400, H110 & 296. 2400 often leaves what appear to be unburned kernels but the velocity/uniformity are still excellent.

I actually found much the same with the old IMR 4227 in .45 Colt. After shooting a couple of cylinderfuls of the load, it looked like I dumped the contents of a pepper shaker on the ground in front of me.

I couldn't argue with the accuracy of the load though--it was one of the most accurate I'd ever tried in that gun.

 

[Charlie98]

I actually found much the same with the old IMR 4227 in .45 Colt. After shooting a couple of cylinderfuls of the load, it looked like I dumped the contents of a pepper shaker on the ground in front of me.

Same here. I only tried IMR4227 in the .45 Colt after an article I read proclaiming they were a match made in heaven. As you say, a few times around the cylinder and I was sorely disappointed, not only in the mess, but the velocity was not much more than a good charge of Unique could have made.

 

[Alaskamike]

Same here. I only tried IMR4227 in the .45 Colt after an article I read proclaiming they were a match made in heaven. As you say, a few times around the cylinder and I was sorely disappointed, not only in the mess, but the velocity was not much more than a good charge of Unique could have made.

Yep. As happy as I was with the accuracy of it, I was much happier overall with I think about 10 grains of Power Pistol. Extreme Spreads over the chronograph were every bit as consistent.

 

[Keyfer 55]

Try a heavier bullets heavy crimp and magnum primers. I like Bullseye ....

 

[LightninST]

IMR-4227 works best at higher pressures. 15 grains seems kinda light for a 125g bullet. You will likely get less unburnt powder if you increase the charge. I have found that the closer I get to max the better the burn as well as more consistent velocity.

I believe 15gr of 4227 shows as the Max on the Hodgdon site for a 125gr bullet in 357Mag .

 

[LightninST]

I use Win 231 with a 125gr Berrys bullet for 357Mag works well for me . They show 4.6 to 5.5 grains for 231 with a 125gr.

 

[bluetopper]

I believe 15gr of 4227 shows as the Max on the Hodgdon site for a 125gr bullet in 357Mag .

No you are wrong, on the Hodgdon site, 18gr is the minimum and 20 grains is the max for a 125 grain bullet.
In 357 magnum a max charge of 4227 won't hurt a thing. You'll get better combustion, more consistent burning and much better accuracy.

 

[LightninST]

I

No you are wrong, on the Hodgdon site, 18gr is the minimum and 20 grains is the max for a 125 grain bullet.
In 357 magnum a max charge of 4227 won't hurt a thing. You'll get better combustion, more consistent burning and much better accuracy.

I thought the OP was using lead Bullets and looked up pistol loads .
Hodgdon web site is very confusing on 4227 powder .

 

[bluetopper]

Lightnin, didn’t mean to sound like an A hole, sorry.