So I've been doing a lot of testing with various powders to get my Coonan 357 mag 1911 to cycle with the 10lb spring (intended for 38 special +p). This has forced me to finally bust out the new chronograph I got back in November to see how these loads are running.
I'm using Xtreme plated 158 gr FP bullets (with cannelure) and I started out using 6 gr of 231 at 1.575" using standard primers (CCI) and magnum primers (CCI). I also used a light crimp (half turn of the Lee FCD after touching the casemouth) I was reading on other forums that some powders (231 being one of them) can be position sensitive in long straight wall cartridges with lots of empty space inside. I also read that using magnum primers might help. So I did a quick comparison using 6 gr of 231 with standard and magnum primers. I made 21 rounds of each (3 mags) so I could shoot off one mag at a target to see how they group and then shoot the remaining 2 mags through the chrono to see what they're running at.
Magnum:
893
949
920
845 - tipped gun forward to move powder away from primer
938
1003
971
1010 - tipped gun backwards to move powder close to primer.
927
934
968
930
931
958
AVG 941
ES 165
42
Standard primers:
949
943
966
978
963
935
845 tipped gun forward to move powder away from primer.
914
918
894
895
904
1038 tipped gun back to get powder close to primer.
848
AVG 927
ES 193
SD 51
So there was definitely a slight increase in velocity using the magnum primers but not by much. Both loads grouped well but I'd say the magnum primer loads had just slightly better groups. It's also apparent that 231 is effected by the position of powder which makes sense with the amount of empty space. I'm assuming that the position sensitivity is most likely the cause for the extreme spread? So this is expected when using 231 in large case volumes?
I read that titegroup and bullseye aren't as position sensitive so I just whipped up 21 rounds each using bullseye and TG which I plan to shoot tomorrow after work.
5.2 gr TG same COL, standard primer
6 gr bullseye same COL, standard primer
158 gr Xtreme plated FP bullet. Light crimp
I'd like to mention that I've worked up loads with both TG and Bullseye starting at 4 gr and checked for pressure signs etc.
I'll post the results tomorrow.
I'm using Xtreme plated 158 gr FP bullets (with cannelure) and I started out using 6 gr of 231 at 1.575" using standard primers (CCI) and magnum primers (CCI). I also used a light crimp (half turn of the Lee FCD after touching the casemouth) I was reading on other forums that some powders (231 being one of them) can be position sensitive in long straight wall cartridges with lots of empty space inside. I also read that using magnum primers might help. So I did a quick comparison using 6 gr of 231 with standard and magnum primers. I made 21 rounds of each (3 mags) so I could shoot off one mag at a target to see how they group and then shoot the remaining 2 mags through the chrono to see what they're running at.
Magnum:
893
949
920
845 - tipped gun forward to move powder away from primer
938
1003
971
1010 - tipped gun backwards to move powder close to primer.
927
934
968
930
931
958
AVG 941
ES 165
42
Standard primers:
949
943
966
978
963
935
845 tipped gun forward to move powder away from primer.
914
918
894
895
904
1038 tipped gun back to get powder close to primer.
848
AVG 927
ES 193
SD 51
So there was definitely a slight increase in velocity using the magnum primers but not by much. Both loads grouped well but I'd say the magnum primer loads had just slightly better groups. It's also apparent that 231 is effected by the position of powder which makes sense with the amount of empty space. I'm assuming that the position sensitivity is most likely the cause for the extreme spread? So this is expected when using 231 in large case volumes?
I read that titegroup and bullseye aren't as position sensitive so I just whipped up 21 rounds each using bullseye and TG which I plan to shoot tomorrow after work.
5.2 gr TG same COL, standard primer
6 gr bullseye same COL, standard primer
158 gr Xtreme plated FP bullet. Light crimp
I'd like to mention that I've worked up loads with both TG and Bullseye starting at 4 gr and checked for pressure signs etc.
I'll post the results tomorrow.
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