Did some loading today, decided to play with the 38-55 and some 5744 I have on hand. Draggin out the Lyman 48th I set up and loaded 10 rounds using 23 grains of 5744 and Lee's 379-250-RF. Shot well, 5shot 1.25 - 1.5" groups, but I was surprised at the recoil. I would have thought the load was approaching 1700 fps, but the book said 1490 fps from a 30" barrel. Hmmmm.... Went to my Accurate Arms #2 and found 1596 fps from only 22.5 graisn and a 24" barrel. So I decided to try out a lower starting load (the 23 grain Lyman load IS a starting load :eek: ) and settled on 17 grains. Loaded up 10 and was rewarded with two 5 shot groups that were 5/8" and 1". The load shoots better than I can hold. Makes about 1300 fps. Dropping back to 11.5 grains (won't find that listed anywhere) the bullet travels circa 900 fps and put 10 shots into 1 3/4" with 7 making a center group of 7/8". This is very like what I get from surplus #107 at that velocity. Perhaps I need to step up my load a little. The 17 grain load was shot far better than I would have expected and only full pressure loads with the Lyman 379449 have shot as well.
For those following the 357 Maximum, the RCBS 180 Silhouette bullet is a nice shooter at full velocity as well. I was shooting that with 24.5 grains of WC680 (AA1680)
Was nice to get out and shoot today.
