43-287B

[freebullet]

The cci' s with the charge backed down might be even better.

You mentioned some new bullets...maybe .5-1gr less same powder, annealed check & the cci's...?

As bad as the bullets were damaged I can't believe how well you did with them anyway. Good shooting!

I've run imr4227 in 357 with reasonable results, works pretty good in x39 too. Don't have 44. It has a fairly narrow window where it works best & burns clean. Just outside of clean burn on either end & things seem weird. I think that's why it gets a bad wrap from some. Takes several rounds of testing with small changes in the charges to find joy with it.

Never used 1680, I'm listening though.

 

[Brad]

ImR suggest loads from 18-20 gr with a 300 jacketed with 4227. Gives me some ideas on what to use.

 

[Ian]

If you want consistency, cool things off and try Lil'Gun or True Blue starting @ 80% of max pressure.

 

[freebullet]

Given the range you mention I'd be inclined to load five-ten each @ 18.5,18.7,19,19.2, & 19.5 for my first go round. Looking at burn quality in addition to all the regular stuff. The gun, target, & load will narrow that window down for the second round, or at least tell you if more testing is worth it.

 

[fiver]

skip the 4227 in the 44.
it shoots really well until it don't which is usually as soon as it gets hot.
it's great in winter, to replace H-110 when it gets wonky in the cold, or for 1-2 hunting shots.
but not a consistent across the board performer in the 44.

it works great in the bigger 445 under 300-320gr bullets but 1680 outshines it by a good 50fps without even trying. [of course your dumping 30-35grs of powder in it too, versus 21-22 in the 44]

 

[gman]

I've shot a good bit with 4227 in the 44. I've always heard of the heat issues but honestly have not witnessed it. Velocity is lower than H110 but I find the recoil impulse is much less with the 4227. If we ever dry up and I get back to shooting I'll try to remember to bring a temp gun and check between strings. Brad when I get back from offshore I'll send you some data from my notes on the 4227 loads.

 

[Brad]

I would appreciate the info. I am finding that 4227 is a powder people either like or don't . Not much fence sitting with 4227.

 

[gman]

I can say for certain in the 357 maximum there are no issues.

 

[freebullet]

It is a scootch temp sensitive, but not bad. Not one you want to work a max load with in the cold then go shoot it in 100+ degree weather. Its not a great max load powder anyway, accuracy is normally found somewhere before that point.

I've only burned around 22 lbs of it so far.

 

[Brad]

I really hate second guessing the design but I have a few things I wish I had done different.
A gradual rounded taper from host to full diameter would be the biggest. Rather than a TC more of a curved ogive.
I wonder if the TC is hitting the rifling and instead of centering well if it is deflecting towards one side a little.

If this design gets me only so far I may redisng things a little and have Tom make me a new mould. Somehow I think Tom will gladly accept the money!

 

[Ian]

Something to try before giving up on the design is make a collet for your lathe to hold the bullets, cut a relief groove in the middle of the front band (give displaced metal somewhere to go before force of engraving it forces the back end to all go squishy), and you can break the nose to front band transition with a shallower angle. But get your powder and alloy balance correct first.

 

[Rick]

Something else to try would be more than a couple of things and then throwing your hands up in defeat.

 

[Brad]

No defeat, just pondering openly.
This sucker is gonna get more shooting, that's for sure.

 

[freebullet]

Wondered if the lil'lip there might be crashing hard into the throat side of the cylinder gap on transition.

I'd work that charge backward AND load more work ups with different powders.

Curious if your fl sizin the brass?

 

[Brad]

No FL sizing, just enough to get past base of bullet. Helps keep rear of case centered.

 

[fiver]

dang freebullet beat me to it.
make a list and see, you can get completely scattered and forget where your heading.
the goal is accuracy, range/trigger time is gonna be a huge part of that.

it's like when I start talking pressure and temperature and time of flight with different loads at the shotgun range.
I can see even the hardcore reloaders eyes start to glaze over after a bit.
they ask if I can really tell [yes I can] and also ask if I have different loads for different guns [yes I do]
I tell them you have to measure things, cup heights, widths, crush lengths, pressure matters, ignition matters.
it usually starts when I ask them if they want the 'most popular' hulls I picked up, because I'm picking up and working with the brand new ones they think are junk and are throwing on the ground.

 

[Brad]

May well try N110 next. I have a pound or so on hand.

Anyone else think 2400 also deserves a go?

 

[fiver]

it's worked pretty well for me.
maybe not top velocity but it has shot well.
I think me and Ian both use 19.3grs under a 240-50ish bullet.

 

[Ian]

Yup. 19.6 with the hollow point 230, 19.3 with the solid 240.

 

[Brad]

Just loaded 30 rounds with the harder alloy.
10 with a CCI 350 and 21 gr H110. Lowest previous charge was 21.5
5 ea with a Fed 150 and 18.7, 19.2, 19.5, and 19.8 gr of N110. They list a max of 20.2 with a 300 jacketed so this should be good.

Will either shoot tomorrow AM or Friday. Haven't decided?