Warm .357 Universal load double check…

[Mark_Mark]

Yes… been asked 1,456 times BUT.

trying to use up old powder before I buy more.

here my load… Sounds OK?

Universal 6.0 grain
Berry 158 gr Flat Point
1.590 COL
Small pistol primers Fiocchi

looking for around 1200fps

 

[dgod]

Thank You…

 

[N555]

Sounds like a full powered load.

 

[1KPerDay]

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com

It's close to the max but within the window

 

[MEHavey]

Both QL and Hodgdon think it's fine,
But you'll need a looong(ish) pistol barrel to exceed 1,000fps

 

[P Flados]

I agree that the OP load looks fine, but I wondered if QL would get you to the 1200 fps at a reasonable predicted pressure.

The Berrys are usually treated as cast for loading info.

I ran the OP load through QL using a Lee 158 SWC and got 1086 fps for a 5.7" barrel (4" gun + 1.7" cylinder). Throw in 50 fps for cylinder gap and you are down around 1040 fps. For a 6" gun, best estimate result would be 1100 fps.

It takes closer to 6.9 gr to get a predicted result of 1200 fps from a 6" gun (assuming the same 50 fps cylinder gap loss). Predicted pressure was close to 33,000 psi. This is pretty close to "hot" and is over what Hodgdon load data has for max for a 158 jacketed or cast for either pistol or for rifle. Note the the Hodgdon data for pistol velocity is from a 10" barrel.

For me, I would stay down close to the 6 gr and be happy with the "warm" mid range performance.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I agree that the OP load looks fine, but I wondered if QL would get you to the 1200 fps at a reasonable predicted pressure.

The Berrys are usually treated as cast for loading info.

I ran the OP load through QL using a Lee 158 SWC and got 1086 fps for a 5.7" barrel (4" gun + 1.7" cylinder). Throw in 50 fps for cylinder gap and you are down around 1040 fps. For a 6" gun, best estimate result would be 1100 fps.

It takes closer to 6.9 gr to get a predicted result of 1200 fps from a 6" gun (assuming the same 50 fps cylinder gap loss). Predicted pressure was close to 33,000 psi. This is pretty close to "hot" and is over what Hodgdon load data has for max for a 158 jacketed or cast for either pistol or for rifle. Note the the Hodgdon data for pistol velocity is from a 10" barrel.

For me, I would stay down close to the 6 gr and be happy with the "warm" mid range performance.

the Berry can be pushed to 1250. Kidda want to get close to 1200 on a 6” gun.

here my Test Gun for .38 & .357
$300 beater Ruger Six with a Magnet Speed thing.

6.9gn!!! Now we talking. I’ll start with 6.0 & 6.2 and check for pressure and speed

wish me LUCK!

 

[Jonny2guns]

the Berry can be pushed to 1250. Kidda want to get close to 1200 on a 6” gun.

here my Test Gun for .38 & .357
$300 beater Ruger Six with a Magnet Speed thing.

6.9gn!!! Now we talking. I’ll start with 6.0 & 6.2 and check for pressure and speed

wish me LUCK!
View attachment 1184622

Good luck, let us know your results.

 

[Palladan44]

Sounds legit. I have Power Pistol loads (a similar burn rate powder to Universal) up to about 1,050 fps. (Actual velocity from chrono, not book projection) from my 3" King Cobra. I like them a lot, it's perfect for an accurate load but you still know you're shooting a magnum. Its a great option if something like 2400 or W296 is going to be too much, but you want more thump than Target velocity. Pushing a faster burning powder to this level to me is iffy, and accuracy erratic.
I used Xtremes 158gr plated SWCs for these. I call it my "Bowling Pin" load and when I run out, I'm running them again.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Sounds legit. I have Power Pistol loads (a similar burn rate powder to Universal) up to about 1,050 fps. (Actual velocity from chrono, not book projection) from my 3" King Cobra. I like them a lot, it's perfect for an accurate load but you still know you're shooting a magnum. Its a great option if something like 2400 or W296 is going to be too much, but you want more thump than Target velocity. Pushing a faster burning powder to this level to me is iffy, and accuracy erratic.
I used Xtremes 158gr plated SWCs for these. I call it my "Bowling Pin" load and when I run out, I'm running them again.

thanks! the “Bowling Pin” load sounds FUN!

Trying to burn up all my old powder before I try the new stuff. My Universal powder still has a $25 price tag. that old

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

My Universal powder still has a $25 price tag. that old

In 2016 I purchased an 8-pounder of Universal. Including HazMat and freight, it came to $19.40/lb.

 

[AJC1]

thanks! the “Bowling Pin” load sounds FUN!

Trying to burn up all my old powder before I try the new stuff. My Universal powder still has a $25 price tag. that old

I have 6.6 grain loads of ramshot competition.... 7 grains of Unique is my favorite unique load. The old limit prior to pocket 357s was 40kpsi. It does not appear as your running a scandium frame so I have zero issue with 35-40k.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have 6.6 grain loads of ramshot competition.... 7 grains of Unique is my favorite unique load. The old limit prior to pocket 357s was 40kpsi. It does not appear as your running a scandium frame so I have zero issue with 35-40k.

my list of powder I’m going to try is:

Unique
Bulleye
2400
and power pistol

but, If I find Ramshot!! SOLD too

 

[AJC1]

my list of powder I’m going to try is:

Unique
Bulleye
2400
and power pistol

but, If I find Ramshot!! SOLD too

Unique I like 7.
2400 13.8
Haven't run the others yet but many more I have. If your running plated max loads of powder slower than blue dot may be problematic. For cheap jacked zero is good fodder.

 

[Palladan44]

thanks! the “Bowling Pin” load sounds FUN!

Trying to burn up all my old powder before I try the new stuff. My Universal powder still has a $25 price tag. that old

25$ for an 8 pounder?

 

[Mark_Mark]

25$ for an 8 pounder?

lol! 1 pound … powder is for 2017-ish

 

[2ndtimer]

the Berry can be pushed to 1250. Kidda want to get close to 1200 on a 6” gun.

here my Test Gun for .38 & .357
$300 beater Ruger Six with a Magnet Speed thing.

6.9gn!!! Now we talking. I’ll start with 6.0 & 6.2 and check for pressure and speed

wish me LUCK!
View attachment 1184622

If you want to get to 1200 fps with a 158 gr projectile, Universal is not the powder to use. Be kind to that nice older Security Six and be content with 1100 fps for Universal. Try some Winchester 296/Hodgdon H-110 (same powder), Accurate No. 9, Ramshot Enforcer, or Alliant Power Pro 300 MP to get you to 1200 fps and beyond at safe pressure levels. Or use the 2400 you already have. (PS - Power Pistol will also get you closer to your goal more safely than Universal.)

 

[Mark_Mark]

If you want to get to 1200 fps with a 158 gr projectile, Universal is not the powder to use. Be kind to that nice older Security Six and be content with 1100 fps for Universal. Try some Winchester 296/Hodgdon H-110 (same powder), Accurate No. 9, Ramshot Enforcer, or Alliant Power Pro 300 MP to get you to 1200 fps and beyond at safe pressure levels. Or use the 2400 you already have. (PS - Power Pistol will also get you closer to your goal more safely than Universal.)

thanks bud!

I’m fluid (a Seattle pre-rec lol) I’ll lower my Universal to 1100 as a realistic goal.

That Ruger Six looks at me like I’m just a phase in it’s life. Tough Gun

 

[lordpaxman]

here my Test Gun for .38 & .357
$300 beater Ruger Six with a Magnet Speed thing.

Looks like you’re building a rail gun… they don’t use powder…

 

[Mark_Mark]

Looks like you’re building a rail gun… they don’t use powder…

I shot my chrono once at a public range, it was embarrassing as heck!

btw, I fished off that chrono and returned it back to Amazon “Defective”