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357 Muzzle Flash

mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 2002 in Ask the Experts
I was shooting my S&W 66 at the range today and I noticed how significant the muzzle flash was. These were handloads with Accurate 5 powder. For range shooting I suppose it really doesn't matter too much, but it was rather distracting (although kinda cool to see the gun "breathing fire"). Can anyone recommend a good powder with minimal muzzle flash. No. 5 seems fine in my other guns but I guess the 357 powder loads make it a bit of a dragon.

Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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Comments

  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,887 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For target loads I use Bullseye, and for high velocity loads use Unique; have never noticed muzzle flash to be objectionable.

    You didn't indicate what barrel length you have; if it's the 2 1/2", then incomplete powder burning is an unavoidable problem with .357 loads.

    Neal
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's a 3" barrel. The powder is roughly 40% more than I use for 38 Spl loads. Should I be looking for a faster burning powder as a prime criteria? I don't want to have to make two loads, ie short/long barrel versions if I can avoid this.

    FWIW, the load is quite good otherwise--not too much kick and pretty precise.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead

    Edited by - mballai on 06/17/2002 23:44:12
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bumping this up. Anyone have some good powder suggestions for this caliber? Thanks!

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • RancheroPaulRancheroPaul Member Posts: 1,459 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Some folks complain about "Unique" being dirty......but I use it for all of my .357 magnum loads. There are other powders that can make slightly hotter loads than the Unique in .357 mag. but I enjoy the consistentcy of it. I load 8.2 grains of Unique behind a 158 gr. JHC or JSP Sierra bullet and find them to chronograph around 1200 fps using a 6 inch barrel Colt King Cobra or 6 inch Colt Trooper MK III. Accuracy is great also! Good Luck!

    If You Can't Buy a Pair, Get a Spare!
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have to agree with Neal,for low flash I like the Bullseye, even in ambient light. when you go to clean your side arm it doesnt have all that mess around the outside of the cylinder. And it is a pretty descent powder.


    Good Luck.

    Rugster
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    According to Alliant, Bullseye is their fastest burning powder. I will try that out as I have it on the shelf--just need to get a rotor for my RCBS powder measure.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • mballaimballai Member Posts: 1,280 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Finally got to try out Bullseye. I did 95% of the recommended charge and it seems to have somewhat less flash. I think that's rather viable, so I will see how that goes with full charge. I am still adjusting to the 357 "experience", but it's been very positive overall.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • XracerXracer Member Posts: 1,990 ✭
    edited November -1
    If you're just "paper punching" at the range, try a .38 Special load of 2.5 to 2.7 gr. of Bullseye with 125 gr. SWC.

    It's a good accurate, low recoil, low muzzle flash load.
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