Weird chrono #'s

[Tomme boy]

Took the slug gun and the 350legend out today. Started off with the slug gun and had 12 different loads to test. Found 3 promising loads. No problems at all with chrono.

Then went to test out some new loads with the 350 with hornady 170gr sp. I loaded up 5 loads with Lilgun. Starting at 25gr with 5 shots. Then increased the load 0.3gr each time up to 26.2gr. Hornady shows 2250fps with 26.5gr. With the 25gr load I had 2 that went over 2400fps. The others were in the mid 2300fps. I stopped and looked at the brass. The primers were still round. The cases had a lot of carbon on the whole case. I have had weird things with this powder in the past. So I loaded the 26.2gr loads. They went from 2203fps to 2452fps. And the primers were starting to flatten. With the 350, it seems if the primers show any sign of pressure you are way over.

2 out of the 5 rounds took a little more bolt lift to open the action compared to the other rounds. The 2 in the first group that were over 2400 also had a little harder bolt lift.

I think I am done with Lilgun. The groups were horrendous also. I grabbed 5 rounds I had loaded with h110 and the 170gr Hornady and it shot right at an inch like it does with the 165ftx bullet. Both bullets are running right at 2250fps.

I am wondering if the chrono was the reason for the huge spread. And also the high numbers. This has been the first time I have loads that are faster than the book. Hornady is using a 16" ar15 for their test. I am using a ruger American ranch bolt action with a 16" barrel.

I think it may be a combo of the powder and the time of day I shot these. It was 1 pm and in the shade. I have had issues before with an older chrono like this. But it was more towards the late evening when it happened.

 

[Rick H]

With the hard bolt lift corresponding to the high velocity loads I suspect your chrono is just fine. It is confirming what the sticky extraction and flattened primers are telling you.
I have read of LilGun being very "peaky" and erratic in some calibers. I only use it in a 22 Hornet where it really shines.

 

[Bret4207]

I think Rick is on track. Some powders in some case styles react oddly. I think you're wise to move on to a different powder. But at least you learned something and no one died!

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Yup just loose LIL Gun!! Thats the start of the pressure spikes. Then weird hang fires start. Accuracy is kaput. I swore off that powder in metallic cartridge guns.

296 shoots FTX 165's to 2350 with its preferred Im @ 2200 and 1-1.25". Thats All I need from this gun.
I made a seitch to Dennis Fury 165 sp and accuracy remained with same powder charges. For some reason the 170's isnt as good but useable. Winchester 180's never shot well.

I shoot more cast and it really likes a few loads. 5g trail Boss and my custom 135g hydra shock shoots ragged 50y holes and would be a dandy small game loading.
Subs shoot from touching to 1" @ 50Y. Most preferred cast like 10g Herco and BlueDot net me 1400 ish and good accuracy.

 

[Rick]

5 gr Trail Boss with the SAECO #382 in my Marlin Cowboy 357 shoots a ragged hole at 100 yards @ 1,000 fps and it's about like shooting a rimfire rifle.

 

[Tomme boy]

I wanted to give this powder one more try. And this just cemented the reason not to use it. And the groups were 3"-4". There are a lot of people out there that swear by this powder. And others that swear at it.

When I said it had sticky extraction the bolt lifted just fine except for the last 2° of lift. Almost like there is no primary extraction.

I have not got to the brass I shot yet. I need to check the primer pockets. I also had the bullets out farther than the book called for. I am just wondering if the brass has different internal capacity. I think I might just check each one of these to see if there is a difference. It was all 1x fired Winchester brass.

I am getting real close to yanking the barrel off and changing the caliber. This 350 has been nothing but problems in this gun and in an ar15. I got rid of the ar upper because of this.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

I remember the auto issues with destroyed brass. I also have both and find the auto needs close adherence to pressure signs. But the bolt has been very good. My buddy has same rifle as us and altho hasn't shot it allot its been very very good.

Im impressed with these FURY bullets thys far. Expansion tests have been impressive as well. But the FTX has been equally impressive. The 180 Winchester needs more velocity than the caliber can generate. Fired from a 358Win @ 2550 it produces nice mushrooms. Best the 350 can attain is about 2200fps.
We all know the troubles (ENTIRELY Winchester created) Winchester has experienced with this caliber. This is another aspect. There is/was no "rifle" .355/.356 bullets made!!!! 9mm can be shot of coarse but not for game at velocities the 350 can generate. Custom makers like Dennis Furry and a few others, can be and are really excellent resourses for quality cartridge designed projectiles.

CW

 

[Ian]

I wouldn't even fertilize my lawn with Lil'gun.

 

[Bret4207]

I have an unopened lb of Lil' Gun I think. Got it for the 32-20 rifles. Still haven't got around to it.

Was always going to pick up some Trail Boss but IIRC it was about the same price for 1/2 lb as other powders were for a whole pound. I liked the idea, but the price put me off. Is it still like that?

 

[Rick]

5 gr Trail Boss with the SAECO #382 in my Marlin Cowboy 357 shoots a ragged hole at 100 yards @ 1,000 fps and it's about like shooting a rimfire rifle.

Forgot to mention with that load. SWW +2% Sn @ 8 BHN.