Author Topic: .375 JDJ is a fantastic Round! (Read 4695 times)

Lawful Larry · « **on:** April 22, 2004, 05:43:49 AM »

Well I finally got my stuff together and loaded up some rounds for the new barrel. It took me a while to get it all together and work up some test loads using IMR 4895. I started low, about 34 grs and workded up to 38grs. They all worked well but the 37 or 38 grs that worked the best. I was a little suprised to find that the recoil was not as bad as I was led to believe. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to shoot that hand cannon all day. 50 rounds was it for the day.

I did have a problem finding recipes for the IMR 4895 powder though. I have 8 lbs of the stuff and use it for most rifle rounds.

Not all impressed with the RCBS dies I got from SSK. They cost $68 + s/h. This is a custom set of dies and they give you the standard instuctions with the set. I had to go looking all over the web to find additional data. I also don't care for the way the dies are made. The adjustment on the seating die does not have enough adjustment for bullets I use (Hornaday 220 JSP). I could use a little more on the adjustment stem for the lock nut to tighten down. Not happy with it! I now have some fire formed brass and will check the new adjustments in the necking die. :cry:

I gotta say that gun shot unbelievably. I love it. It will be a premier barrel in my lot. :-D

LL

MePlat · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2004, 05:33:46 AM »

You've got to be kidding. The old standard for the 375 JDJ with the 270 gr and H4895 which is very very close to IMR 4895 is 46.5 gr.
Where did you get the 34 to 38 gr stuff. Certainly not from JD.
What kind of problems did you have with the dies? Just lube a case and run it into the sizer and you have a case.
The 46.5 gr load is pretty mild in pressure and I have used IMR interchangable with H4895.
Velocity with a 270 Hornady SP should be around 1900 fps depending on the lot of powder.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2004, 08:12:26 AM »

Well first off I never use the data from one companies powder and use it for another. Where do you get you relationship of H4895 and IMR 4895 as being the same? The only data I could find on the IMR 4895 was from a one of the reloading sites on the net. The only stuff I got from SSK was on the H4895 powder.

Now as to comparing powders to each other, I found that IMR 3031 and H4895 seem to run very close. I can find no comparisons on the IMR 4895 and the H4895. I must admit that a friend did say the same thing about these powders that you did. Not saying that you guys are off the deep end, I just feel a little uncomfortable with this comparison. :noway:

After shooting the 38 grains of IMR 4895, I find it hard to believe that you could hang on to this gun shooting 46 or so grains. It may be that that is closer to what is required for the JDJ round. If you know a place I could go to find load data on the IMR 4895 for the .375, please let me know. :wink:

Oh as to the dies, the bullet seating stem is too short. I barely have enough threads left to tighten the luck nut down. And that is with a 220 JFP bullet. Just thought that was an oversight that was correctable during the design phase. :idea:

LL

Graybeard · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2004, 08:31:02 AM »

Larry, a perusal of any reloading manual should show you that in general when loading recommendations are given for both 4895s that the data is the same or within a grain or two. Not a true comparison but enough to tell you it is close. As best as I can recall (no manual near me as I type this) one of them is pretty much always a little higher than the other when not the same. In other words once you determine which IMR or H needs an extra grain or two it seems to stay pretty constant. That's not a real answer but is in general how folks really do things in the real world. Just remember this: There are old reloaders and there are bold reloaders but there are NO old and bold reloaders. :-D

As the the RCBS die, I've never seen one in any caliber that didn't have a long enough stem to seat any bullet normally used for that cartridge. Are you sure you have the die body screwed down to where it needs to be? If so, what press are you using? BTW RCBS is as good as it gets at making things right at no costs to you. Just call them on their toll free number and tell them what you are experiencing and it will be fixed at no cost to you. On that you can depend.

I've personally come to prefer the Hornady dies and especially their bullet seat dies so that's what I mostly get these days.

Have you looked in the newest loading manuals for .375 JDJ data? I know Hornady has it. Seems I recall one or two others that do also. Hodgdon now owns IMR so call them up and ask for data. They just might have some. Also call up JD Jones and ask him. He'll be happy to talk with you about it. He is a fountain of knowledge and doesn't mind sharing it.

GB

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2004, 08:47:37 AM »

Thanks for the assist Graybeard. My limited expertise on reloading anything but pistol rounds is just that, Limited. I guess I tend to be a little too cautious at times, but it is gun powder. :?

Yes as to the dies, I agree with you. But this stem is way too short, at least I think it is. I may be wrong. I have a Hornaday progressive press, but use my old pardner single stage for the unique rounds. The stems on both dies came pre-installed and ready to use. Some dies have to be assembled, but these were ready to go. I don't think I will ever use the shorter bullets, but if I did I guess I would be SOL.

I too like the Hornaday dies, but never had a problem with RCBS before. Do you think I should get with SSK and ask them what is up?

I must admit that I have not looked in the newer reloading books. I will have to take a look and go from there. The .375 JDJ is becoming a lot more popular and I think there will be more data out there soon. Thanks for the light at the end of my tunnel.

Your pard,
LL

rickyp · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2004, 02:46:38 PM »

Lawful Larry,
I think I have a 375-270 bullets laying around and a few .375 cast 220 and 300 (if i remember right) If you want to see if it is the bullet and not the dies I can send you them out.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2004, 05:50:58 AM »

Hey Rick,
I sent ya a PM on the offer, thanks. I feel like a rookie. I have researched the .375 JDJ a little further and you guys are right on the money. I loaded a hundred rounds of that 38 grain load and will break them down and start all over. Thanks for the heads up.

If I thought the 38 grains kicked, what will 46 or more grains feel like? :oops:

LL

rickyp · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2004, 07:34:50 AM »

the 375 jdj IS a handfull but if you have it setup right it is not that bad.
Mine has the ssk break and a pach. declerator grip. The handgun pushes back in my hand

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2004, 10:56:47 AM »

Quote

I too like the Hornaday dies, but never had a problem with RCBS before. Do you think I should get with SSK and ask them what is up?

Certainly not a bad idea. If you can get either JD or Brian on the phone they can talk you thru most any problem IF parts are not needed. BUT seeing as how the dies are RCBS, my first call would be to their toll free phone line. Those guys are also very knowledgeable and will stand behind the products they make.

Unless there is just for some reason a wrong seater stem in your die which would indicate a manufacturing problem then it really should have more than enough adjustment range for the Hornady 220 grain bullets as that bullet and the Hornady 270 are likely the two most used bullets in this round.

Have you:

1. Put an empty case in the shell holder.
2. Lowered the press handle to raise the ram fully?
3. Screwed in the die until it touches the case mouth?
4. Locked it all down and tried to seat a 220 grain bullet?
5. Adjusted the seater stem down as far as it will go and still can't seat a bullet?

If not, try that and then let us know or call RCBS for help or SSK.

Quote

If I thought the 38 grains kicked, what will 46 or more grains feel like?

Pretty wicked actually. While I don't own a .375 JDJ I have owned a .358 JDJ and it was all I wanted. Without a brake it lifted off the bags a bunch and twisted violently. With the SSK Arrestor Muzzle Brake it doesn't lift off the bag at all and all twist is gone. BUT all of that recoil is redirected right into the web of your hand in and my case that turned out to be worse than the lifting and twisting. I sold it.

I'm not overly fond of the way the TCs deliver recoil or the single action revolvers either. I much prefer a double action revolver for heavy recoil and absolutely MUST have a rubber grip if there is much recoil. I have either a bone spur or calcium deposit at the base of my right thumb and the pounding of heavy recoil has gotten to be more pain than I can stand. Sure surgery would fix it no doubt but I have several other surgeries I really should have more than that like both shoulders, an elbow and a knee.

GB

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #9 on:** April 25, 2004, 12:51:17 PM »

Hey Bill,
Thanks for the follow up. I just came back from the range today and my hand is still tingling. I think I will have to send the barrel off and get a muzzle break installed. The recoil is so severe, that I can not rest the gun or my elbows on the bench. The force goes back and drives my elbow into the bench causing pain after a dozen rounds or so. My wrists also take a pounding from the force of the recoil. I love the gun, but find I concentrate on the anticipated recoil too much. I think that interferes with my shots.

I got the barrel from TC and it came without the muzzle break. Can I send it to SSK for the break work? I will send them an email and get the particulars.

I will also give RCBS a call. I know that if I wanted to load the 200 grain bullet I could not with the seating stem on my die as of right now. With the 220 the retaining nut has just enough thread to hold the stem now. It may not have enough with the 200.

The groups and velocity for the 48 grain IMR 4895 was the best for the test rounds I shot today. I started with 45, 47, 48, 49, and 50. I don't think my hands could take 52 which JD JOnes told me. I will load 45 grains for plinking and 48 grs. for hunting. The Weaver base and 4x4 rings held up very well. Half way through my 50 rounds I retorqued the ring screws and then check after the last round and it was still tight.

As to the operations I had the shoulder worked on last year for a torn rotator and will have the knee worked on in June for torn cartilage. Should be a breeze after my open heart surgery a few years ago. Ya notice that after ya reach 50 it is all down hill? :wink:

LL

Hawkeye · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2004, 06:23:43 AM »

I have a JDJ Shilen Fluted 14" barrel in the .375JDJ without break. I shoot 49grn of IMR4895 with a 220grn flat point Hornady. It is a monster but not as bad as the 260grn Accubonds. :eek:
I installed a Pachmayr Decelerator Gripper for the frame. One good tip I can give you, use knee or elbow pads when shooting on the bench. I got mine at a sporting good store. Took the bite out of the elbows.
I got the Hornady dies with my barrel from JDJones. They are about the same when loading the 220 grn bullet. Not much adjustment on the seater.
I'm going to try some loads with Varget this next week. I have loading data from SSK and some in the Hodgons manual. Some say it shoots better than IMR4895.

Mike

Pie-bald · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2004, 04:47:34 PM »

Mine (12" w/full-lenght TSOB and mag-na-ported) dearly loves AA2520 and 225 SP from Hornady. Varget didn't shoot bad, but nothing like AA2520. Try some, who knows it might be the ticket. Also no un-burnt residue in barrel after shots., With a 4x Burris it'll touch holes @ 100yds. I use a max load from info I got from JD.

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2004, 12:00:50 PM »

Hey Hawkeye,
That is one fine lookin' gun. I know what ya mean on the pads. Sounds like a great idea. I have a G2 and am stuck with the one and only grips that it came with. Don't know when the rubber grips will be available for the G2. I too would like to explore other powders and see how they perform. I have a lot of unburnt residue on the barrel with the IMR 4895.

Would also like to try larger bullets, but will have to order them. None in my local toy store.

Hey Pie-bald,
That 12" must be a handful. Sounds like the AA2520 is a faster burning powder. Would like to try it sometime. I did find that 48 grs. of IMR4895 gave me the best performance and groups.

Good shootin' guys,
LL

Biathlonman · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2004, 06:12:39 AM »

I've tried H4895, R15, and AA2520. I quickly ditched the 4895 as it just could not match the velocity of the other 2 powders and accuracy was consistently good enough with all of them. Finally settled on the AA2520 with the 270gr.Hornady and R15 for the Nosler 260gr. Accubond. I load both at 52grains.

Work up cautiously, but the AA2520 load is in fact an old standby. I have not seen data from anyone using R15, and so just worked up very slowly. I made it up considerable higher then 52grains, but felt I was working in dangerous territory. There was a recent magazine article with reloading data for most of the lighter bullets, if you can't find a copy let me know and I will photocopy and mail the article to you.

Hornady, Accurate Arms, and Hodgdon all have data in their manuals. If you need any of that data again let me know!

Biathlonman@hotmail.com

Captainkev · « **Reply #14 on:** May 01, 2004, 01:45:54 PM »

I don't have a 375 JDJ but I do have a 376 Steyr which isi just a tad bit more.
I shoot an SSK 15 inch barrel with an SSK Brake on it.
I agree with Greybeard that lift is almost gone, but push back is there.
I don't find it any more kick though than my 308 barrel without a brake.
I DO AGREE that when bench shooting, put something under your elbow.
That push does hurt when you repeatedly slam your elbow into a hard shooting bench.
Have fun with it, it's a great round, and will kill anything in the world as long as you do your part.

Kevin

Lawful Larry · « **Reply #15 on:** May 02, 2004, 08:00:40 AM »

Hey Biathlonman,
That is the beauty of our game. It is so interesting to work up the different recipes and match the performance with each. I started with the IMR 4895 only because that is what I had. I will be getting my hands on the 2520. I have read and heard from different sources that this powder is a good performer.

I have yet to try the heavier bullets. RickyP sent me a bunch of different bullets to consider. That was a fine thing he did. That is one of the reasons why I love to chat with the folks on these forums. They all tend to be a great bunch.

I think I remember the article you are talking about. I will look for it and go over it again. I hate it when I read about a subject and then need the info later on and forget where I saw it. Thanks for the offer pal. :wink:

LL