Last question: What's the COAL for 125 gr. Golden Saber for .357 Mag.

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Bexar

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I've got some factory 38 Special+P so I have that length. I have a box of 125gr. GS I'd like to load in some .357Mag cases. I'll be using 2400...H110 and or Unique.

Thanks...Bexar
 
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I just happen to have a box of those bad boys and the factory COL is:

1.577"
 
Rule3 said:
I just happen to have a box of those bad boys and the factory COL is:

1.577"
Click to expand...
Thanks Rule3. Can't hit the mark any better than that. I'm going to try RC's thought and see how close he is. He's a guru. Then I'll compare it to others for a little hobby time.

Thanks...everyone.
 
I stopped measuring OAL in revolver loads once I realized that crimping in the canelure is the correct OAL, what ever that happens to be. The last time I measured the OAL for a revolver cartridge was some where around 30 years ago.

GS
 
I just measured a bunch of factory rounds and they range from 1.577-1.582".

As noted these GS bullets don't have a cannelure.

Since they don't have a cannelure, you need to be VERY careful with the crimp, just like with non-cannelured auto rounds. Just remove enough of the flare or bell to permit chambering. Go slow. Do the "push test". At the range, watch for bullet "jump." Good case neck tension should prevent that.
 
So then, if I understand the Golden Saber construction and design, they wouldn't be a good choice of JHP for full house magnum levels then? For example, and based on my 30 some years of loading H110/296 loads almost exclusively for magnum class revolver cartridges, it requires a firm roll crimp to prevent projectiles from breaking free of the roll crimp, thus jumping forward and tying / locking up the cylinder.

As I mentioned above, due to difficulty finding them, I haven't had much experience with GS's. But the few times I have loaded them, I don't recall them not having a canelure by which to roll crimp into. Old age getting the best of my memory again I guess. I just pulled up a picture of a .357 magnum GS and it clearly appears to have a canelure.

GS
 
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I wouldn't use them for "full house" loads either, although I've never experienced bullet jump with factory rounds or my own pretty stout loads.

See the link below from Midway. As you can see, there is no cannelure. The faint circumferential ring toward the base of the bullet delineates the "base band" referenced by rc above.



http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/16...-357-diameter-125-grain-jacketed-hollow-point
 
Hmm, interesting and thanks for the education. I would probably use them as a +P 38, I haven't had any problems with that pressure level needing a firm roll crimp, but should probably avoid those H110 loads.

GS
 
Remington Golden Sabers with the driving band on all factory loads I've seen have the driving band totally inside the case mouth. Crimps turn the case mouth down to touch the smaller diameter of the bullet. Crimp either with a roll or taper crimp to turn the mouth down to touch the smaller diameter but not too heavy. The driving band having a larger diameter acts like a typical cannelure and should keep the bullets from moving forward. Good bullet tension in the case is necessary too. Golden Sabers in all my pistols and carbines are a very accurate bullet. Wish they were more available for purchase as I haven't seen any GS bullets lately.
 
Well, some how Remington makes the bullets hold in there full house mag loads? I do not believe they are glued.
 
Bexar said:
I've got some factory 38 Special+P so I have that length. I have a box of 125gr. GS I'd like to load in some .357Mag cases. I'll be using 2400...H100 and or Unique.

Thanks...Bexar
Click to expand...

I would tend to use them in .38 special type loads using your Unique. I don't know what H100 is, but if you are referring to H110/W296, because they are a slow burning powder with burn retarders, they need a firm roll crimp into a cannelure, not only for bullet jump due to recoil, but also for proper and consistent ignition. Part of reloading is using the best components available for the application. While one can use components meant for other applications, results are generally iffy at best. There's a reason bullets meant for magnum revolver loads have a cannelure.
 
My understanding is what buck460XVR said: they don't push them as "full house loads", but instead they're somewhat 'watered down' loads.

I believe they used to be more powerful, but have lately lowered the velocity of them.

I like the performance of the GS bullets, but their lower speeds (lately) have left me unimpressed (in .357mag loadings)...
 
buck460XVR said:
I would tend to use them in .38 special type loads using your Unique. I don't know what H100 is, but if you are referring to H110/W296, because they are a slow burning powder with burn retarders, they need a firm roll crimp into a cannelure, not only for bullet jump due to recoil, but also for proper and consistent ignition. Part of reloading is using the best components available for the application. While one can use components meant for other applications, results are generally iffy at best. There's a reason bullets meant for magnum revolver loads have a cannelure.
Click to expand...
Sorry...I was thinking about how many bullets in the box and typed H100 instead of H110.

Thanks for the notification.
 
I've loaded lots of GS 125 in both .38 spl and .357 mag. Make sure you use the .357 bullet for the mag as it has a shallower hollow for the higher velocity than the .38 bullet which is designed for lower (985 fps) special loads. Have simply roll crimped forward of the driving band putting the edge of the case mouth on the bullet but not flattening it out any. I set my OAL to the same as any other 125gr with cannelure and check to make sure they fit in my Colts which have the shortest cylinder length.

Factory .357 mag GS are loaded to 1,220 fps from a 4" barrel which is a medium load. I've loaded them to 1,450 fps with 13.8grs of Blue Dot but that's not necessary and feel a 1,200 to 1,250 fps load using a faster powder like 8.5grs of Unique to be a closer load in velocity to factory and what the bullet is designed for.

I
 
Steve C said:
I've loaded lots of GS 125 in both .38 spl and .357 mag. Make sure you use the .357 bullet for the mag as it has a shallower hollow for the higher velocity than the .38 bullet which is designed for lower (985 fps) special loads. Have simply roll crimped forward of the driving band putting the edge of the case mouth on the bullet but not flattening it out any. I set my OAL to the same as any other 125gr with cannelure and check to make sure they fit in my Colts which have the shortest cylinder length.

Factory .357 mag GS are loaded to 1,220 fps from a 4" barrel which is a medium load. I've loaded them to 1,450 fps with 13.8grs of Blue Dot but that's not necessary and feel a 1,200 to 1,250 fps load using a faster powder like 8.5grs of Unique to be a closer load in velocity to factory and what the bullet is designed for.

I
Click to expand...
Yep...I compared the loose GS to the factory GS 38+P I have and the loose 125gr GS have a narrower diameter hollowpoint and spiral serrations on the jacket. The factory 38+P have a wider hollowpoint and straight serrations.

Thanks for the info...Bexar
 
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