Haven't had a good gun thread in awhile, so...

[JGalt]

I bought a new Caldwell chronograph a couple months ago, so I figured I'd check some pistol handloads I worked up within the last year or two. I had two old Shooting Chrony chronographs, but there seemed to be a 30-50 fps difference in measurement between the two, so I got the Caldwell. It's a nice chronograph. It allows you to run a cable to your smartphone, and save the results to a text file.

First I checked some .38 Special wadcutters I loaded up back in 2019. They were 148 grain Harrison cast lead wadcutters, loaded behind 4.1 grains of W231 powder, WPS primers, and an overal length (OAL) of 1.240". I shot them through a 1964 Colt Cobra with a 2" barrel, the same model BTW, that Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald in the gut with. The results were as follows, and all were shot from a sandbagged rest, at a range of 25 yards...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
12 793 206.69 117.36
11 779 199.46 115.29
10 808 214.59 119.58
9 806 213.52 119.29
8 797 208.78 117.96
7 812 216.72 120.18
6 792 206.17 117.22
5 806 213.52 119.29
4 791 205.65 117.07
3 776 197.92 114.85
2 783 201.51 115.88
1 794 207.21 117.51
Average: 794.75
StdDev: 11.66

Next was some ACME 240 grain Hy-Tek coated .44 magnum that I loaded up, back on 05/13/20. I had loaded them with 7.5 grains of Unique powder, WLP primers, an OAL of 1.620", and a heavy crimp. Those were shot through a 1970's Iver Johnson New Cattleman Magnum made by Uberti, which has a 7" barrel. Once again, 25 yards from a sandbagged rest...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
12 910 441.38 218.40
11 896 427.90 215.04
10 936 466.96 224.64
9 928 459.01 222.72
8 871 404.36 209.04
7 916 447.22 219.84
6 882 414.63 211.68
5 865 398.80 207.60
4 896 427.90 215.04
3 893 425.04 214.32
2 887 419.35 212.88
1 907 438.47 217.68
Average: 898.92
StdDev: 21.56

Next were some ,44 magnum Hornady 240 grain XTP Jacketed Hollow Point behind 19.6 grains of Alliant 2400, which I loaded up back on 1/11/20. You could really feel the difference between these and the low-velocity plinkers...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
6 1265 852.92 303.60
5 1325 935.75 318.00
4 1304 906.32 312.96
3 1328 939.99 318.72
2 1332 945.66 319.68
1 1317 924.48 316.08
Average: 1311.83
StdDev: 24.99

Next were some Speer 124 grain FMJ 9mm loaded with 7.6 grains of Alliant Blue Dot, Federal #100 primers, an OAL of 1.148", and fired through a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol with a 4" barrel...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
10 1164 373.12 144.34
9 1163 372.47 144.21
8 1143 359.77 141.73
7 1214 405.86 150.54
6 1156 368.00 143.34
5 1178 382.14 146.07
4 1138 356.63 141.11
3 1152 365.46 142.85
2 1188 388.66 147.31
1 1155 367.37 143.22
Average: 1165.10
StdDev: 22.77

Next were some Nosler 124 grain JHP 9mm that I'd loaded up back on 3/29/20. I had loaded them with4.0 grains of Hodgdon Titegroup powder, CCI #500 primers, and an OAL of 1.138. I had worked up that load with a Glock 19, but they appeared to be to long to chamber in the Taurus. So I ran them through a 1950's Spanish-made Star Model B The Star is basically a 9mm in a Colt 1911 format.

# FPS FT-LBS PF
9 1044 300.15 129.46
8 1055 306.51 130.82
7 1043 299.58 129.33
6 1061 310.00 131.56
5 1045 300.73 129.58
4 1026 289.89 127.22
3 1040 297.85 128.96
2 1036 295.57 128.46
1 1018 285.39 126.23
Average: 1040.89
StdDev: 13.25

Lastly was some 124 grain 9mm bullets that I had cast out of wheel weights, using a Lee TL356-124-2R bullet mold. They have an measured Brinell hardness of 23, which was measured on a Lee bullet hardness tester. The were driven behind 3.9 grains of Hodgdon HP-38 powder, WSP primers, and have an OAL of 1.164". Of course, they also wouldn't chamber in the Taurus, so I had to use the Star Model B, which I bought at a garage sale a few years back...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
9 ERROR 3
8 917 231.57 113.71
7 994 272.09 123.26
6 974 261.25 120.78
5 967 257.51 119.91
4 993 271.54 123.13
3 983 266.10 121.89
2 950 248.53 117.80
1 964 255.91 119.54
Average: 967.75
StdDev: 25.36

Of course, I've exceeded my limit of image uploads on the site, so you'll just have to use your imagination.

Now isn't shooting fun? Guns are not only for killing people, nor are they only for killing little furry animals, unless you're really hungry. There are hours and hours of fun you can have by reloading your own ammunition, and poking little round holes in pieces of paper, trust me.

 

[Pete7469]

If you've not yet entered an IDPA Match you're missing a serious part of shooting. It's some of the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

 

[White 6]

I bought a new Caldwell chronograph a couple months ago, so I figured I'd check some pistol handloads I worked up within the last year or two. I had two old Shooting Chrony chronographs, but there seemed to be a 30-50 fps difference in measurement between the two, so I got the Caldwell. It's a nice chronograph. It allows you to run a cable to your smartphone, and save the results to a text file.

First I checked some .38 Special wadcutters I loaded up back in 2019. They were 148 grain Harrison cast lead wadcutters, loaded behind 4.1 grains of W231 powder, WPS primers, and an overal length (OAL) of 1.240". I shot them through a 1964 Colt Cobra with a 2" barrel, the same model BTW, that Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald in the gut with. The results were as follows, and all were shot from a sandbagged rest, at a range of 25 yards...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
12 793 206.69 117.36
11 779 199.46 115.29
10 808 214.59 119.58
9 806 213.52 119.29
8 797 208.78 117.96
7 812 216.72 120.18
6 792 206.17 117.22
5 806 213.52 119.29
4 791 205.65 117.07
3 776 197.92 114.85
2 783 201.51 115.88
1 794 207.21 117.51
Average: 794.75
StdDev: 11.66

View attachment 398906

View attachment 398907

View attachment 398908

Next was some ACME 240 grain Hy-Tek coated .44 magnum that I loaded up, back on 05/13/20. I had loaded them with 7.5 grains of Unique powder, WLP primers, an OAL of 1.620", and a heavy crimp. Those were shot through a 1970's Iver Johnson New Cattleman Magnum made by Uberti, which has a 7" barrel. Once again, 25 yards from a sandbagged rest...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
12 910 441.38 218.40
11 896 427.90 215.04
10 936 466.96 224.64
9 928 459.01 222.72
8 871 404.36 209.04
7 916 447.22 219.84
6 882 414.63 211.68
5 865 398.80 207.60
4 896 427.90 215.04
3 893 425.04 214.32
2 887 419.35 212.88
1 907 438.47 217.68
Average: 898.92
StdDev: 21.56

View attachment 398916

View attachment 398917

View attachment 398918

Next were some ,44 magnum Hornady 240 grain XTP Jacketed Hollow Point behind 19.6 grains of Alliant 2400, which I loaded up back on 1/11/20. You could really feel the difference between these and the low-velocity plinkers...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
6 1265 852.92 303.60
5 1325 935.75 318.00
4 1304 906.32 312.96
3 1328 939.99 318.72
2 1332 945.66 319.68
1 1317 924.48 316.08
Average: 1311.83
StdDev: 24.99

View attachment 398921

View attachment 398922

View attachment 398924

Next were some Speer 124 grain FMJ 9mm loaded with 7.6 grains of Alliant Blue Dot, Federal #100 primers, an OAL of 1.148", and fired through a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol with a 4" barrel...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
10 1164 373.12 144.34
9 1163 372.47 144.21
8 1143 359.77 141.73
7 1214 405.86 150.54
6 1156 368.00 143.34
5 1178 382.14 146.07
4 1138 356.63 141.11
3 1152 365.46 142.85
2 1188 388.66 147.31
1 1155 367.37 143.22
Average: 1165.10
StdDev: 22.77

View attachment 398926

View attachment 398927

View attachment 398928

Next were some Nosler 124 grain JHP 9mm that I'd loaded up back on 3/29/20. I had loaded them with4.0 grains of Hodgdon Titegroup powder, CCI #500 primers, and an OAL of 1.138. I had worked up that load with a Glock 19, but they appeared to be to long to chamber in the Taurus. So I ran them through a 1950's Spanish-made Star Model B The Star is basically a 9mm in a Colt 1911 format.

# FPS FT-LBS PF
9 1044 300.15 129.46
8 1055 306.51 130.82
7 1043 299.58 129.33
6 1061 310.00 131.56
5 1045 300.73 129.58
4 1026 289.89 127.22
3 1040 297.85 128.96
2 1036 295.57 128.46
1 1018 285.39 126.23
Average: 1040.89
StdDev: 13.25

View attachment 398932

View attachment 398933

View attachment 398934

Lastly was some 124 grain 9mm bullets that I had cast out of wheel weights, using a Lee TL356-124-2R bullet mold. They have an measured Brinell hardness of 23, which was measured on a Lee bullet hardness tester. The were driven behind 3.9 grains of Hodgdon HP-38 powder, WSP primers, and have an OAL of 1.164". Of course, they also wouldn't chamber in the Taurus, so I had to use the Star Model B, which I bought at a garage sale a few years back...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
9 ERROR 3
8 917 231.57 113.71
7 994 272.09 123.26
6 974 261.25 120.78
5 967 257.51 119.91
4 993 271.54 123.13
3 983 266.10 121.89
2 950 248.53 117.80
1 964 255.91 119.54
Average: 967.75
StdDev: 25.36

Of course, I've exceeded my limit of image uploads on the site, so you'll just have to use your imagination.

Now isn't shooting fun? Guns are not only for killing people, nor are they only for killing little furry animals, unless you're really hungry. There are hours and hours of fun you can have by reloading your own ammunition, and poking little round holes in pieces of paper, trust me.

I don't load my own, but that is some nice shooting at 75 feet.

 

[JGalt]

I bought a new Caldwell chronograph a couple months ago, so I figured I'd check some pistol handloads I worked up within the last year or two. I had two old Shooting Chrony chronographs, but there seemed to be a 30-50 fps difference in measurement between the two, so I got the Caldwell. It's a nice chronograph. It allows you to run a cable to your smartphone, and save the results to a text file.

First I checked some .38 Special wadcutters I loaded up back in 2019. They were 148 grain Harrison cast lead wadcutters, loaded behind 4.1 grains of W231 powder, WPS primers, and an overal length (OAL) of 1.240". I shot them through a 1964 Colt Cobra with a 2" barrel, the same model BTW, that Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald in the gut with. The results were as follows, and all were shot from a sandbagged rest, at a range of 25 yards...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
12 793 206.69 117.36
11 779 199.46 115.29
10 808 214.59 119.58
9 806 213.52 119.29
8 797 208.78 117.96
7 812 216.72 120.18
6 792 206.17 117.22
5 806 213.52 119.29
4 791 205.65 117.07
3 776 197.92 114.85
2 783 201.51 115.88
1 794 207.21 117.51
Average: 794.75
StdDev: 11.66

View attachment 398906

View attachment 398907

View attachment 398908

Next was some ACME 240 grain Hy-Tek coated .44 magnum that I loaded up, back on 05/13/20. I had loaded them with 7.5 grains of Unique powder, WLP primers, an OAL of 1.620", and a heavy crimp. Those were shot through a 1970's Iver Johnson New Cattleman Magnum made by Uberti, which has a 7" barrel. Once again, 25 yards from a sandbagged rest...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
12 910 441.38 218.40
11 896 427.90 215.04
10 936 466.96 224.64
9 928 459.01 222.72
8 871 404.36 209.04
7 916 447.22 219.84
6 882 414.63 211.68
5 865 398.80 207.60
4 896 427.90 215.04
3 893 425.04 214.32
2 887 419.35 212.88
1 907 438.47 217.68
Average: 898.92
StdDev: 21.56

View attachment 398916

View attachment 398917

View attachment 398918

Next were some ,44 magnum Hornady 240 grain XTP Jacketed Hollow Point behind 19.6 grains of Alliant 2400, which I loaded up back on 1/11/20. You could really feel the difference between these and the low-velocity plinkers...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
6 1265 852.92 303.60
5 1325 935.75 318.00
4 1304 906.32 312.96
3 1328 939.99 318.72
2 1332 945.66 319.68
1 1317 924.48 316.08
Average: 1311.83
StdDev: 24.99

View attachment 398921

View attachment 398922

View attachment 398924

Next were some Speer 124 grain FMJ 9mm loaded with 7.6 grains of Alliant Blue Dot, Federal #100 primers, an OAL of 1.148", and fired through a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol with a 4" barrel...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
10 1164 373.12 144.34
9 1163 372.47 144.21
8 1143 359.77 141.73
7 1214 405.86 150.54
6 1156 368.00 143.34
5 1178 382.14 146.07
4 1138 356.63 141.11
3 1152 365.46 142.85
2 1188 388.66 147.31
1 1155 367.37 143.22
Average: 1165.10
StdDev: 22.77

View attachment 398926

View attachment 398927

View attachment 398928

Next were some Nosler 124 grain JHP 9mm that I'd loaded up back on 3/29/20. I had loaded them with4.0 grains of Hodgdon Titegroup powder, CCI #500 primers, and an OAL of 1.138. I had worked up that load with a Glock 19, but they appeared to be to long to chamber in the Taurus. So I ran them through a 1950's Spanish-made Star Model B The Star is basically a 9mm in a Colt 1911 format.

# FPS FT-LBS PF
9 1044 300.15 129.46
8 1055 306.51 130.82
7 1043 299.58 129.33
6 1061 310.00 131.56
5 1045 300.73 129.58
4 1026 289.89 127.22
3 1040 297.85 128.96
2 1036 295.57 128.46
1 1018 285.39 126.23
Average: 1040.89
StdDev: 13.25

View attachment 398932

View attachment 398933

View attachment 398934

Lastly was some 124 grain 9mm bullets that I had cast out of wheel weights, using a Lee TL356-124-2R bullet mold. They have an measured Brinell hardness of 23, which was measured on a Lee bullet hardness tester. The were driven behind 3.9 grains of Hodgdon HP-38 powder, WSP primers, and have an OAL of 1.164". Of course, they also wouldn't chamber in the Taurus, so I had to use the Star Model B, which I bought at a garage sale a few years back...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
9 ERROR 3
8 917 231.57 113.71
7 994 272.09 123.26
6 974 261.25 120.78
5 967 257.51 119.91
4 993 271.54 123.13
3 983 266.10 121.89
2 950 248.53 117.80
1 964 255.91 119.54
Average: 967.75
StdDev: 25.36

Of course, I've exceeded my limit of image uploads on the site, so you'll just have to use your imagination.

Now isn't shooting fun? Guns are not only for killing people, nor are they only for killing little furry animals, unless you're really hungry. There are hours and hours of fun you can have by reloading your own ammunition, and poking little round holes in pieces of paper, trust me.

I don't load my own, but that is some nice shooting at 75 feet.

Thanks. But I'd be wobbling all over the place if it weren't for those sandbags on a table.

 

[JGalt]

If you've not yet entered an IDPA Match you're missing a serious part of shooting. It's some of the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

I'd almost be ashamed to. Those guys and girls can shoot circles around my puny little groups.

 

[night_son]

Excellent thread, thanks.

 

[White 6]

I bought a new Caldwell chronograph a couple months ago, so I figured I'd check some pistol handloads I worked up within the last year or two. I had two old Shooting Chrony chronographs, but there seemed to be a 30-50 fps difference in measurement between the two, so I got the Caldwell. It's a nice chronograph. It allows you to run a cable to your smartphone, and save the results to a text file.

First I checked some .38 Special wadcutters I loaded up back in 2019. They were 148 grain Harrison cast lead wadcutters, loaded behind 4.1 grains of W231 powder, WPS primers, and an overal length (OAL) of 1.240". I shot them through a 1964 Colt Cobra with a 2" barrel, the same model BTW, that Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald in the gut with. The results were as follows, and all were shot from a sandbagged rest, at a range of 25 yards...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
12 793 206.69 117.36
11 779 199.46 115.29
10 808 214.59 119.58
9 806 213.52 119.29
8 797 208.78 117.96
7 812 216.72 120.18
6 792 206.17 117.22
5 806 213.52 119.29
4 791 205.65 117.07
3 776 197.92 114.85
2 783 201.51 115.88
1 794 207.21 117.51
Average: 794.75
StdDev: 11.66

View attachment 398906

View attachment 398907

View attachment 398908

Next was some ACME 240 grain Hy-Tek coated .44 magnum that I loaded up, back on 05/13/20. I had loaded them with 7.5 grains of Unique powder, WLP primers, an OAL of 1.620", and a heavy crimp. Those were shot through a 1970's Iver Johnson New Cattleman Magnum made by Uberti, which has a 7" barrel. Once again, 25 yards from a sandbagged rest...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
12 910 441.38 218.40
11 896 427.90 215.04
10 936 466.96 224.64
9 928 459.01 222.72
8 871 404.36 209.04
7 916 447.22 219.84
6 882 414.63 211.68
5 865 398.80 207.60
4 896 427.90 215.04
3 893 425.04 214.32
2 887 419.35 212.88
1 907 438.47 217.68
Average: 898.92
StdDev: 21.56

View attachment 398916

View attachment 398917

View attachment 398918

Next were some ,44 magnum Hornady 240 grain XTP Jacketed Hollow Point behind 19.6 grains of Alliant 2400, which I loaded up back on 1/11/20. You could really feel the difference between these and the low-velocity plinkers...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
6 1265 852.92 303.60
5 1325 935.75 318.00
4 1304 906.32 312.96
3 1328 939.99 318.72
2 1332 945.66 319.68
1 1317 924.48 316.08
Average: 1311.83
StdDev: 24.99

View attachment 398921

View attachment 398922

View attachment 398924

Next were some Speer 124 grain FMJ 9mm loaded with 7.6 grains of Alliant Blue Dot, Federal #100 primers, an OAL of 1.148", and fired through a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol with a 4" barrel...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
10 1164 373.12 144.34
9 1163 372.47 144.21
8 1143 359.77 141.73
7 1214 405.86 150.54
6 1156 368.00 143.34
5 1178 382.14 146.07
4 1138 356.63 141.11
3 1152 365.46 142.85
2 1188 388.66 147.31
1 1155 367.37 143.22
Average: 1165.10
StdDev: 22.77

View attachment 398926

View attachment 398927

View attachment 398928

Next were some Nosler 124 grain JHP 9mm that I'd loaded up back on 3/29/20. I had loaded them with4.0 grains of Hodgdon Titegroup powder, CCI #500 primers, and an OAL of 1.138. I had worked up that load with a Glock 19, but they appeared to be to long to chamber in the Taurus. So I ran them through a 1950's Spanish-made Star Model B The Star is basically a 9mm in a Colt 1911 format.

# FPS FT-LBS PF
9 1044 300.15 129.46
8 1055 306.51 130.82
7 1043 299.58 129.33
6 1061 310.00 131.56
5 1045 300.73 129.58
4 1026 289.89 127.22
3 1040 297.85 128.96
2 1036 295.57 128.46
1 1018 285.39 126.23
Average: 1040.89
StdDev: 13.25

View attachment 398932

View attachment 398933

View attachment 398934

Lastly was some 124 grain 9mm bullets that I had cast out of wheel weights, using a Lee TL356-124-2R bullet mold. They have an measured Brinell hardness of 23, which was measured on a Lee bullet hardness tester. The were driven behind 3.9 grains of Hodgdon HP-38 powder, WSP primers, and have an OAL of 1.164". Of course, they also wouldn't chamber in the Taurus, so I had to use the Star Model B, which I bought at a garage sale a few years back...

# FPS FT-LBS PF
9 ERROR 3
8 917 231.57 113.71
7 994 272.09 123.26
6 974 261.25 120.78
5 967 257.51 119.91
4 993 271.54 123.13
3 983 266.10 121.89
2 950 248.53 117.80
1 964 255.91 119.54
Average: 967.75
StdDev: 25.36

Of course, I've exceeded my limit of image uploads on the site, so you'll just have to use your imagination.

Now isn't shooting fun? Guns are not only for killing people, nor are they only for killing little furry animals, unless you're really hungry. There are hours and hours of fun you can have by reloading your own ammunition, and poking little round holes in pieces of paper, trust me.

I don't load my own, but that is some nice shooting at 75 feet.

Thanks. But I'd be wobbling all over the place if it weren't for those sandbags on a table.

For some reason, I thought only the .44 was from sand bags. I don't feel so shitty about my shooting now. Standing at 75 feet, I am perfectly happy if everything is on the paper.

 

[Shawnee_b]

Now that looks like some fun times.

 

[JGalt]

Now that looks like some fun times.

Processing some more .44 brass. Those ACME Hy-Tek coated bullets are good shooters and I have some in 180 grain I want to try next.

 

[White 6]

Now that looks like some fun times.

Processing some more .44 brass. Those ACME Hy-Tek coated bullets are good shooters and I have some in 180 grain I want to try next.

What is the allure of the .44 180 grain? I know you are a first round shooter, but that cannon has to buck like crazy. How long does it take to come back on target for that second shot if you need it. You go to extremes. Isn't your carry gun a german luger .22, I might have chided about not big enough, except for your flashlight racoon shooting?

 

[Oddball]

 

[Shawnee_b]

Now that looks like some fun times.

Processing some more .44 brass. Those ACME Hy-Tek coated bullets are good shooters and I have some in 180 grain I want to try next.

Im in a move, taking forever. Once done I have a dedicated reloading and radio room (yeah ham but deaf so it's morse)

Then I can reload again!

Tried hollow base wadcutters loaded backwards in a 38sp? Brits used to. Nasty huge HP's

 

[JGalt]

Now that looks like some fun times.

Processing some more .44 brass. Those ACME Hy-Tek coated bullets are good shooters and I have some in 180 grain I want to try next.

Im in a move, taking forever. Once done I have a dedicated reloading and radio room (yeah ham but deaf so it's morse)

Then I can reload again!

Tried hollow base wadcutters loaded backwards in a 38sp? Brits used to. Nasty huge HP's

Thanks for the advice. The .38 WC I have is a big box of Harrison bullets. I have a bullet mold that casts 148gr RN, but haven't had much luck with those. Guess I need to buy a hollow base WC bullet mold and give that a try.

 

[Shawnee_b]

Thanks for the advice. The .38 WC I have is a big box of Harrison bullets. I have a bullet mold that casts 148gr RN, but haven't had much luck with those. Guess I need to buy a hollow base WC bullet mold and give that a try.

Yes, hollow base, backwards of course. It's still flush with the case. . Brits have loved the 38 sp a long time and they found that is one kick ass round.