Author Topic: 357 reload question (Read 578 times)

beard01 · « **on:** August 25, 2005, 01:30:52 PM »

Can anybody tell me if 125 grain :sniper: cast 357 bullit over 4 grain 700Xx at about 750 fps will build too much pressure ? I know reducing 357 loads can build too much pressure. Beard01

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2005, 02:59:21 PM »

6 grains of Unique will give you about the same level of performance when using standard primers. 5 to 5.5 grains loaded in 38 cases will also put you at that level.

If you're looking for a good all around mild recoil/plinking/smaller game load, you might try this combo(my favorite).

Remington 125g SP bullets
7.5 grains of Unique
CCI 550 primers
(loaded in 357 cases)

This load has proven extremely accurate in every gun, rifle or revolver, I've tried it in. In rifles it'll average around 1400-1500 fps, and in revolvers(depending on the Barrel length), it averages from about 900-1200 fps. The recoil is very mild, and it thumps groundhog or coon sized critters very hard.

beard01 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2005, 03:10:01 PM »

Thanks for reply Beard01 :sniper:

Dave in WV · « **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2005, 03:11:15 PM »

I wouldn't use less than 5.6 gr for your load. When you get the powder load density low enough you may get detonation and blow the firearm up.

Savage · « **Reply #4 on:** August 26, 2005, 02:24:05 AM »

Dave,
interesting that you would bring up detonation. Haven't heard that term in years! We used to hear about the old 3grs of Bullseye under the 148gr wadcutter load "detonating" and wrecking guns. The balistitions were never able to duplicate the event under lab conditions. I suspect the real culprit was double charging. Every month I attend a centerfire falling plate match where hundreds of EXTREMELY light loads are fired. Most are loaded with a fast burning powder and a low loading density. I have yet to witness this event in the thousands of rounds I have personally sent down range as well.
Stay Safe,
Savage

stuffit · « **Reply #5 on:** August 26, 2005, 05:18:53 AM »

Savage

I agree that "detonation" from light loads with pistol powders is most likely a myth generated from "denial that I could throw a double charge" reloaders. However it appears that Norma has duplicated the phenomina with a slow burning rifle powder. It was Norma MRP in a .243 with an 80 gr bullet and it was only a 15% charge reduction.

Quote

A pietzo-electric pressure gauge was broken and highest grade on the pressure scale was this 10 kilobars. A sturdy test-barrel of a German gun-proofing laboratory was wrecked, of course.

This disastrous test was repeated with another set of equipment for the sake of comparison. Pressures of first shots were slightly less than normal. It might be fifth or sixth shot, when the new test-shooting barrel blew up. Again a pressure gauge disintegrated and a scale told: 10 000 atmospheres! It was presumably just a fraction from whole horrible truth, because so called "wave pressure" of a detonation may exceed reading A HUNDRED THOUSAND ATMOSPHERES, when the explosive material is in gaseous form of existence, pre-heated and pressurized before explosion.

Caliber of tested cartridge was .243 Winchester, bullet weight 80 grains, powder then-new NORMA MRP, and the charge... surprisingly... just 15 % less than a maximum (compressed !) load. It was STILL A REDUCED CHARGE DETONATION; not one caused by an excessive charge, because the charge could not be excessive with those components in use. Light bullet and slowly burning powder is not an advisable combination of loading components for .243 Win., known as a caliber prone to S.E. Effect. (It's "big brother" .308 and "kid brother" .22-250 are considerably less risky; last mentioned presumably because of more steep 25 degrees shoulder angle).
source

Now I got this off another forum and had to grudgingly concede my position a bit to this evidence. If there are flaws here in the evidence or the source, I can't find them. What say you?
Best Regards,
Stuffit

Dave in WV · « **Reply #6 on:** August 26, 2005, 07:12:16 AM »

I read an article a couple of years ago about detonation. The author said the Army has known about the phenomenon for many years and attributed it to the powder column laying below the flash hole so the igition flash could light the entire powder charge at once and the unused space in the case allows the pressure to spike. How true this is I can't say but as we used to say in AF aviation, "warnings are written with someones blood, don't let it be yours". I agree a double or tripple charge of Bullseye is possible. Is it possible the detonation really did happen?

Savage · « **Reply #7 on:** August 26, 2005, 07:30:44 AM »

Dave/Stuffit,
My post was only an observation based on my experience and what I had read on the subject. I'll concede that detonation is possible. I have yet to find proof. The article Dave submitted is intresting to say the least. I would think that with all the ammo loaded by handloaders in this country, that detonation, if it exists, is not much more common.
Thanks guys for the information, if you can find other reputatble sorces of information on this subject I would like to read it.
Thanks,
Savage

Dave in WV · « **Reply #8 on:** August 26, 2005, 08:53:51 AM »

Savage, I wish I had the article. I can't remember what magazine it was in.

Savage · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2005, 11:32:27 AM »

Thanks anyway Dave, think I'll do a seach and see what turns up.
Don't know how I underlined the last half of my last post either-----

Savage

Savage · « **Reply #10 on:** August 26, 2005, 12:02:28 PM »

Guys,
Here's a link that takes both sides of the arguement. Take it for what it's worth.
Savage

http://www.reloadammo.com/liteload.htm