Powders for snubbies?

[jr45]

I'm thinking of 32 H&R / 327 Federal and 38 Spl / 357 Mag rounds for snubbies. As for particular snubbies, I'm focused on Ruger's LCRs.

I have used 3.8gr of Bulls Eye with 158gr SWC for an average of 742fps and 6.0gr of Power Pistol with the same bullet for 915fps from a S&W 36. There was a slightly more felt recoil using power pistol…

 

[Archie]

Ah, bullet expansion threshold. That does make sense, indeed.

My apologies to you MDI on the correction of 'unburnt powder' but I've had enough difficult discussions with (new and old) reloaders about 'unburnt powder' to last me a long while. And even more difficulty convincing folks there is a functional correlation between barrel length and burn rate.

 

[jski]

Ideally the powder is completely burnt before the bullet makes the jump from the cylinder throat to the forcing cone. I assume that powder that’s still burning after this point is not contributing anything positive.

Besides the powder’s burn rate, what else can help to contribute to this: crimp, bullet weight, …?

 

[WrongHanded]

Ideally the powder is completely burnt before the bullet makes the jump from the cylinder throat to the forcing cone. I assume that powder that still burning after this point is not contributing anything positive.

If powder burning after the bullet passed the b/c gap didn't contribute to velocity, that could only be because it were being lost through the b/c gap. If that were the reality, all the pressure built up to push the bullet out of the barrel would also be lost through the b/c gap. Which would mean momentum alone would be all that would remain to swage the bullet down into the barrel, and overcome the friction of the bullet travelling the barrel length. If this were the case, a longer barrel would produce slower speeds than a shorter one.

So no, powder is still burning when the bullet is in the barrel. And depending on the powder and barrel length, Quickloads claims there's not always a 100% burn before the bullet leaves the barrel. Ideally, the powder choice and charge would be balanced so that once max pressure is attained (which would preferably be attained instantly), it is then maintained until the bullet is out of the muzzle. This would produce the highest velocity, but is unlikely to be possible under any circumstances.

 

[WrongHanded]

Which specific bullets/weights are you wanting to use? I know you said XTP, but is that a 158gr or something else?

 

[jski]

If powder burning after the bullet passed the b/c gap didn't contribute to velocity, that could only be because it were being lost through the b/c gap. If that were the reality, all the pressure built up to push the bullet out of the barrel would also be lost through the b/c gap. Which would mean momentum alone would be all that would remain to swage the bullet down into the barrel, and overcome the friction of the bullet travelling the barrel length. If this were the case, a longer barrel would produce slower speeds than a shorter one.

So no, powder is still burning when the bullet is in the barrel. And depending on the powder and barrel length, Quickloads claims there's not always a 100% burn before the bullet leaves the barrel. Ideally, the powder choice and charge would be balanced so that once max pressure is attained (which would preferably be attained instantly), it is then maintained until the bullet is out of the muzzle. This would produce the highest velocity, but is unlikely to be possible under any circumstances.

I was thinking of snubbies when I made that statement but will admit I may have been too pessimistic for even their short barrels. But in the case of a snubby I would assume that as close as you can get to a complete burn while still in cylinder would be optimal?

Keep in mind, I’m thinking about snubbies in this thread.

 

[jski]

Which specific bullets/weights are you wanting to use? I know you said XTP, but is that a 158gr or something else?

Just wondering if bullet weight in a snubby can effect the efficiency of the powder? So Not thinking of any specific bullet or weight. But would a heavier bullet with greater inertia allow more time for more of the powder to burn?

 

[WrongHanded]

But would a heavier bullet with greater inertia allow more time for more of the powder to burn?

Exactly. Greater inertia allows for a greater pressure to build behind the bullet. Then be maintained as it travels down the barrel. A heavier bullet will suffer less from velocity lose with a shorter barrel.

So Not thinking of any specific bullet or weight.

Okay. Just remember, expansion is a separate issue but tied to velocity. Choose wisely.

 

[jski]

WrongHanded et al., what do you think about Ramshot’s True Blue for snubbies? I’ve read a lot of praise for True Blue for Mini-9s, a similar application to snubbies. Not the fastest burning powder but certainly faster that magnum pistol powders.

 

[WrongHanded]

WrongHanded et al., what do you think about Ramshot’s True Blue for snubbies? I’ve read a lot of praise for True Blue for Mini-9s, a similar application to snubbies. Not the fastest burning powder but certainly faster that magnum pistol powders.

As you named me specifically, I'll tell you that I have no experience whatsoever with that powder. Were it me, I'd seriously look into using 2400 for the .357 mag. That's if you have some already, because I'd not, I don't know if you'll be able to get any.

If True Blue is similar, it may work well.

 

[jski]

As you named me specifically, I'll tell you that I have no experience whatsoever with that powder. Were it me, I'd seriously look into using 2400 for the .357 mag. That's if you have some already, because I'd not, I don't know if you'll be able to get any.

If True Blue is similar, it may work well.

I use Universal Clays for my 357 loads primarily. Load them as 38 Spl +P rounds. If I want full-house 357s, I use H110.

But my snubby is a 327 Mag LCR that I load with 32 H&R Mags.

 

[WrongHanded]

I use Universal Clays for my 357 loads primarily. Load them as 38 Spl +P rounds. If I want full-house 357s, I use H110.

But my snubby is a 327 Mag LCR that I load with 32 H&R Mags.

Okay, well the OP went like this:

I'm thinking of 32 H&R / 327 Federal and 38 Spl / 357 Mag rounds for snubbies. As for particular snubbies, I'm focused on Ruger's LCRs.

So I assumed you wanted powder suggestions for .357 mag too. I can't help you with the .32s as I have no experience with them. Best of luck.