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I'm really frustrated with HSM bullets
calrugerfan
Member Posts: 18,209 ✭
It seems to be a big problem trying to find load data for HSM plated bullets. They say to use data for a similar lead bullet but its hard to find a similar bullet.
I'm trying to load for 357 and 38 special with HSM flat nose plated 158 grain bullets. The powders that I have on hand are AA #2, AA #7, AA #9, and Alliant 2400.
The 357 load that I tried first (I had tried to calculate based on other loads) was 14.0 gr of 2400. Those were REALLY hot. I should have realized something was wrong when my load for 44 special was 11.2 gr of 2400 with a 267 gr bullet.
Anybody have any suggestions for a new recipe?
I'm trying to load for 357 and 38 special with HSM flat nose plated 158 grain bullets. The powders that I have on hand are AA #2, AA #7, AA #9, and Alliant 2400.
The 357 load that I tried first (I had tried to calculate based on other loads) was 14.0 gr of 2400. Those were REALLY hot. I should have realized something was wrong when my load for 44 special was 11.2 gr of 2400 with a 267 gr bullet.
Anybody have any suggestions for a new recipe?
Comments
If you have a modern firearm it should stand any starting load for 158 gr bullets cast or jacketed; start with the lower one and work your way up until accuracy falls off. My older books using Hercules 2400 list even more 2400 for jacketed bullets in a 357.
http://www.accuratepowder.com/load-data/
I treat the plated bullets like swaged or medium hardness cast lead and load appropriately. The plated bullets give me a cheaper alternative to jacketed while producing less smoke and lead fouling than bare lead and reduce the potential for rebound on steel targets.
How can you NOT find a "similar load" for a 158 flat nosed bullet in 357? Most load data indicates the plated bullets are not meant for top end loads which it seems you started out with.
I treat the plated bullets like swaged or medium hardness cast lead and load appropriately. The plated bullets give me a cheaper alternative to jacketed while producing less smoke and lead fouling than bare lead and reduce the potential for rebound on steel targets.
I guess I should say that I don't KNOW what would be considered similar in this case. The bullets of the same weight are completely different shapes. Does that make a difference? Or is does it not matter for lead cast?
My pet recipe for 158 grain lead cast bullets is 6.0 grains of Unique. It is about 1,000 FPS, powerful yet shootable all day long. I have not used any AA powders in pistols since Unique works so well. Your load of 2400 is my hunting load, it is hot but extremely accurate in my S&W 686.
It seems to be a big problem trying to find load data for HSM plated bullets. They say to use data for a similar lead bullet but its hard to find a similar bullet.
I'm trying to load for 357 and 38 special with HSM flat nose plated 158 grain bullets. The powders that I have on hand are AA #2, AA #7, AA #9, and Alliant 2400.
The 357 load that I tried first (I had tried to calculate based on other loads) was 14.0 gr of 2400. Those were REALLY hot. I should have realized something was wrong when my load for 44 special was 11.2 gr of 2400 with a 267 gr bullet.
Anybody have any suggestions for a new recipe?
Just use the load for the same weight bullet. The shape of the nose makes no difference at all, just the weight.
I load plated ones for 9mm and use lead load info. for the same weight.