What a difference a few grains make!

jawsman

jawsman

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So last week I was at the range with my new Ruger Super Redhawk in 454 Casull.

I was using rounds loaded with 340gr Frontier Bullet. I could not find any proper load data for it, so after consulting some people I trust I came up with my frist load. 21gr of H110. It worked, and the recoil was rather tame. I was surprized.

I got load data for my combo from Frontier later last week. They stated for the 340gr bullet to use 22gr of H110 as a starting load, and 25gr of H110 as the max.

They stated that you could go further than that, but these would be safe in any gun.

I loaded up a few with 24.5grs of H110 and went to range this morning.

Holy cow what a difference 3.5grs of H110 make on the feel and performance of the revolver. Recoil was huge, but still not too much to handle. I forgot my gloves this morning, so I was shooting bare handed, and after 12 quick rounds I certainly felt a little sore.

Awesome....

Now to slowly look at increasing the powder and performance slowly. Anyone have any ideas on where I can take this load to the max?

Thanks
 
Read up on various signs of pressure there's a lot of info around but careful in revolvers, that stuff can sneak up on ya!

There's also a good article in this month's handloader magazine. Check it out.
 
I'm still new to reloading, but pressure signs is something I am trying to be very conscious of. I examined the brass when I got home this morning, and I see no obvious signs of over pressure. The primers look good. The spent rounds also easily ejected from the revolver after I shot them, so again I think I'm good.

From here on out I guess I'll be going up in 0.2gr increments until I start to see pressure signs start to show up.

What I' hoping for is some info from other experienced handloaders on how fast they pushed the same bullet & powder combo to save me the time to slowly increment up to max.

Thanks
 
I'd say you're pretty close to the max load. Just remember that the max load published was with a different firearm than yours, so tread carefully.:)

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
 
"...pretty close to the max load..." Yep. 26.0 is max for a 335 grain bullet. Five grains won't make much difference.
 
Advice, get a chrony.

It'll let you know how fast you're actually going, and you can decide based upon that, when you reached the point of diminishing returns. I took my chrony out for the first time last week, my 44mags were sizzling at around 1540fps (H110 powder).

H110 powder does have a good safety margin, as it is one of the very slowest pistol powders, and most max loads are compressed, so it'd be difficult (not impossible, though) to get in a whole lot of trouble with H110.

Definitely get a chrony though, they are fairly cheap new (I've never even seen a used one for sale), and they'll definitely open your eyes on your velocities.
 
jawsman said:
I'm still new to reloading, but pressure signs is something I am trying to be very conscious of. I examined the brass when I got home this morning, and I see no obvious signs of over pressure. The primers look good. The spent rounds also easily ejected from the revolver after I shot them, so again I think I'm good.

From here on out I guess I'll be going up in 0.2gr increments until I start to see pressure signs start to show up.

What I' hoping for is some info from other experienced handloaders on how fast they pushed the same bullet & powder combo to save me the time to slowly increment up to max.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Maybe (hopefully) I'm misinterpreting your thread. If, however you're new to reloading and without a manual or chrony you're fishing around for MAX loads by posting for info here and checking for pressure signs; you need to find a better (safer) method.

That you took a 16% jump from your initial load is a no no. Are you watching your COL's ? This significantly changes peak pressures in pistol cartridges too.

It really looks to me like you should stick to your 21g for now and get yourself a manual and some equipment so you have better control over all this.

"MAX load with a 454 C ? How thick are your targets ? :D
 
Chrony

curtmg said:
Advice, get a chrony.

It'll let you know how fast you're actually going, and you can decide based upon that, when you reached the point of diminishing returns. I took my chrony out for the first time last week, my 44mags were sizzling at around 1540fps (H110 powder).

H110 powder does have a good safety margin, as it is one of the very slowest pistol powders, and most max loads are compressed, so it'd be difficult (not impossible, though) to get in a whole lot of trouble with H110.

Definitely get a chrony though, they are fairly cheap new (I've never even seen a used one for sale), and they'll definitely open your eyes on your velocities.
Click to expand...

X2! Very good advice. Also, sight in your gun first, so you buy only one chrony, not two!
 
John Y Cannuck said:
Fixed that for ya.

Five grains of powder on the other hand could wreck your life. :cheers:
Click to expand...

Savge_Blow_Up_2_001.jpg
 
Good advice.

I can appreciate the risk I took in jumping the powder by so much in one shot.

Let me be clear though. This is the only firearm I have reloaded for that I have done this.

For the 9mm, 10mm, 45ACP, 223 & 338Win Mag, I have started with min loads, went up 5%, and 5% more. Liked the results. Everything went bang, and functioned flawlessly. I was happy and did not partake in looking for more speed.

I bought the 454 to go nuclear and have fun. I have however taken you tips to heart and will not look for more power/speed until I can complete sighting in and buying a crony.

Thanks!
 
A BIG plus for you, is you have what is probably the strongest revolver made commercially.
It should safely handle any load in any book for that calibre.
I thinik it will live up to your expectations.
H110, or Winchester 296, is a very nice powder to work with. It seems to work well with a bit of compression, so have fun.
 
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