BehindBlueI's
Grandmaster
- Oct 3, 2012
- 26,608
- 113
I have not been happy with Accurate #5 for .357. I am not getting complete powder burn, and its so bad that flakes of unburnt powder accumulate under the extractor star. It is burning dirty, as well. I had a jug left over from reloading .40, where it performs quite well, but after tinkering with various weights and never being happy with the results I threw in the towel and tried new powder.
Accurate #7 fills up a lot more of the case. I loaded up 12 with 10.2 grains of #7 and 158 gr LSWC and verified they are burning completely with standard SPP. 12 is tough to judge, but they seem to be much cleaner, and no unburnt powder in the nooks and crannies. No excessive smoke, no soot. I loaded up about 80 to check consistency with the chrono when I get a chance and make sure they are hitting somewhere near POA with my 3" and 4" GP100s.
The 12 I shot definitely felt like a magnum. The increased volume of powder increased recoil. I'm interested to see what kind of velocity I'm getting.
Further updates as events warrant.
Accurate #7 fills up a lot more of the case. I loaded up 12 with 10.2 grains of #7 and 158 gr LSWC and verified they are burning completely with standard SPP. 12 is tough to judge, but they seem to be much cleaner, and no unburnt powder in the nooks and crannies. No excessive smoke, no soot. I loaded up about 80 to check consistency with the chrono when I get a chance and make sure they are hitting somewhere near POA with my 3" and 4" GP100s.
The 12 I shot definitely felt like a magnum. The increased volume of powder increased recoil. I'm interested to see what kind of velocity I'm getting.
Further updates as events warrant.