Interesting day with my reloads today.

[445 supermag]

Guys took my G 20SF with KKM stock length barrel today to the range as I can't stand not getting out shooting anymore.  Had a few loads today to test out and one really got my attention more than anything else.  The load was this

Star line brass
CCI 300
Longshot @ 9.0gr
200gr noslers

Here is the kicker average velocity was 1263 fps and accuracy was AWESOME Almost a one hole at 15 yards. 

I next tried the last load of 9.2 gr of long shot and velocity DROPPED to an average of 1224 and accuracy meh.

From my search here is seems the 9.4 is getting people around 1250 fps.  But for me MY LOAD that I am going to load every 200 gr nosler with be with the 9.0gr of longshot. 

Just found this interesting.

Brian

[The_Shadow]

Brian, thanks for you report and observation.  LongShot powder has been that way with various loadings and bullet weights.  One thing I found with the Nosler bullets is their variances in diameter...in the pull-downs I found many slightly undersized, at 0.3985" - 0.3995"   I was disappointed to say the least, when you expect them to be at 0.4000".

If they are undersized they will be faster than the full sized tighter fitting bullet.

[445 supermag]

Shadow thanks for the comeback on this.  This is my first time reloading with Longshot so I was not sure how it acts.  Also I wish I measured the bullet diameter as I have no clue what I DID load. 

Now the question will be asked if I can expect this same performance from now on.  It would suck big time if I couldn't. .  I am planning on loading every 200 gr nosler and expected the same performance. 

What should I do in your opinion on this?   Load about 20 more test loads and see or just go on the info I have on hand.  I mean this goes against what others have gotten so it got me thinking. 

I have also just considered this 9.0 my MAX load. 

Oh also with this said load my

ES = 10
SD = 4

amazing load but was wondering if I can assume this load is factual and not something that just happened by mistake due to undersized bullets.

oh also all loads were hand checked each weight on my RCBS beam scale and then double checked on my digital scale.

Thanks

Brian

[445 supermag]

Looking back on my range paper.  My load of 8.8grs of longshot gave my 1211 ave.    accuracy decent but no where near the 9.0  load.  That was scary accurate.

Just some food for thought

[445 supermag]

Brian, thanks for you report and observation.  LongShot powder has been that way with various loadings and bullet weights.  One thing I found with the Nosler bullets is their variances in diameter...in the pull-downs I found many slightly undersized, at 0.3985" - 0.3995"   I was disappointed to say the least, when you expect them to be at 0.4000".

If they are undersized they will be faster than the full sized tighter fitting bullet.

Just measured about 20 and almost every one was .3995.  One was .399 and one was .400.    But with slightly undersized I wouldn't of expected the awesome accuracy.   I am going to check other brand bullets and see if this is a Nosler situation or if this happens with others too.

Brian

[The_Shadow]

At least what I saw with respect to the Nosler brand diameter is what you saw as well.  Not that its a bad thing depending on your gun's bore.

LongShot has been one of the powders I have used to push the higher velocities in some of my testing.  The Double Tap & SwampFox loads were what started my curiosity and use of the powder in 10mm and 9x25Dillon.  SwampFox sold loads rated at 1325 fps using 9.9 to 10.0 grains, I didn't feel comfortable at that level, after taking measurements of the brass, development of a slight smile on occasion.

The 9.4 grain was where I felt better for the 200gr bullets for the most part.  However when I tested the Speer 200 gr Gold Dots, that were pulled from a special contract ammo of years past, I actually dropped to 9.2 grains at the 1230 fps from the S&W 1006.

So finding sweet spots for everything to fall into place makes perfect sense.

[445 supermag]

I totally agree with finding the sweet spots when reloading.  I seem to have found it with the 200 gr nosler and I ccouldn'tbe happier.

I just measured some Sierra .357 and all measured .356 so it's not just a nosler.   I also did speer GDHP and everyone measured .4005.   

I have about 450 or so of those 200 nosler and they are going to be that 9.0 gr load.    But before I do that I will load up 5 more to see if I get pretty close to the same velocities.   Shocked that velocities dropped at just 9.2 gr but it is what it is.  But since the 9.2 put me on par with what you guys were getting in the low 1200 fps the 9.4 would put me pretty close to where everyone else is.   But will see.  I just may investigate this a bit more.  More to come.   

Come on spring.   Its Sucking here In NJ as of late

Brian

[445 supermag]

Star line brass
CCI 300
Longshot @ 9.0gr
200gr noslers

Here is the kicker average velocity was 1263 fps and accuracy was AWESOME Almost a one hole at 15 yards. 


Brian

well I did a repeat of this load again to see if my numbers are off.   Nope almost dead on.  IIRC I averaged 1259 fps.

weird but true

[The_Shadow]

I'll have to conduct a few more test at 9.0 to see what shakes out...

[445 supermag]

Thanks.  I will be looking forward to your results

[445 supermag]

Shadow,  just got an idea.  If you are shooting a STOCK BARREL then that's the discrepancy.   I am shooting a stock LENGTH KKM  barrel.  That gives me greater case support and higher volocities.  But still weird about the loss in velocity at 9.2 of long shot.

With how well this gun shot the 200 gr nosler I might never shoot another load after every other bullet is gone.  This just might be THE LOAD for this gun.

Brian