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Powder question

idaho cowboy
Not sure how to ask this question, but I'll try it this way. I'm still not getting consistent shot groups out of my 257 Roberts. I'm using Speer Grand Slam 120's behind Varget powder. My question is, could changing to a slower powder, such as IMR 4350 make any difference. I tried 4 different loadings tonight. 36.0 grains, which shot the worst, 34.0 grains, 33.0 grains, and 32.5 grains. About as good as I could get was about a 3" group at 100 yards. Not very impressive huh?
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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • idaho cowboy
    Just opened a can of 4350 and found about a 1/2" of brown dust on top. Sucked it off with shop vac and powder looks fine but am concerned that it may no longer be good. Checked 2 other cans and they looked fine and they were all stored in the same locker. All dated 8/1988. Any help would be appreciated.

    thanks

    Walt
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  • jaegermister
    I have been using 2400 powder for pistol cartridges in rifle barrels.
    I like the way it burns in longer barrels and how it fills the case and volume measurements are not in the single digit grain amounts...less error in measurements. I also like jacketed bullets because the rifles give you more velocity and no lead shavings in the action. I find it easier to reload a jacketed bullet more consistent and rifle friendly, less likely to push down in the case from mag tube spring.Price is not too much diff if you shop around for bullets.
    Repost this in Competition/reloading forum for specific loads.
    Cowboy action forum also, event may require a cast bullet.
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  • tsr1965
    The H110 is a very intense powder for handgun cartridges. It will give top end velocities in jacketed or cast bullets. However, unless the cast bullet has a gas check, it will also vaporize the bullet alloy, and deposit lead into the bore...the bore of either a handgun or rifle. With the large amounts of lead deposited, and fouling the bore, pressures will rise dramatically. The solution...faster burning powders, and lower velocities to reduce the leading. You can easily find hard cast bullets with gas checks for hotter velocities. Several big shooting suppliers carry them. Oh, and yes...the price is EXTREMELY different of lead bullets over jacketed. There is a vender on the auction side that can supply 400 255 grain Keith type, 18 Brinell hardness, bullets for $44.00 plus shipping. They are great bullets too.

    Best
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  • bigdaddy75069
    For whatever its worth I load 7gr of bullseye in my 45lc works for me.
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  • 62fuelie
    I would tend to think using "slow for caliber" powders would give a better burn curve in the rifle barrel. As you subject a cast bullet to more heat from the longer barrel time and potentially hotter powders it may be wise to use gas-checks on the bullets. Sierra lists a load of 24.3 grains of IMR 4227 with a JACKETED 250 grain bullet as giving 1200 fps from a 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk. If you allow 30 fps per inch then a 16 1/2' barrel should give about 1470 fps
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