Revolver load question

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Olympian
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Revolver load question

Post by Olympian »

I have been out of IHMSA for several years until I moved recently so I am finally near a range again. During those inactive years, I lost all of my sight come-ups and much of my load data. At my first match back, I got by but I really just threw together a load for my revolver and went to the match. I got a couple of ringers on rams with a 180gr RCBS cast and 16gr of H110.

To my question, do folks commonly use different loads with a revolver for CPT and R?

I have used different loads and still do it with some guns but have not with a revolver. I now have a Ram load but did not know if I should just use it throughout.....

Thanks
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high standard 40
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Re: Revolver load question

Post by high standard 40 »

I have never used a different load for different distances in any of my silhouette guns. I always had the fear (perhaps unfounded) that weather conditions on a given day might affect one load more than the other and then just when I thought I had the day's conditions doped out, I'd miss a ram. Your load of 18gr of H110 with a 180 gr cast seems quite a bit light.
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nutcase
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Re: Revolver load question

Post by nutcase »

would help to know what caliber your revolver is in????

If a 44Mag, that load is way too light. if a 357Mag, would be about right.
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Olympian
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Re: Revolver load question

Post by Olympian »

FA357
I have a 209gr LBT bullet I plan to use for rams but not sure I should use it for everything else. The 180 is so pleasant to shoot.
jcunclejoe
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Re: Revolver load question

Post by jcunclejoe »

As long as you tell the difference in the bullets or keep the loads separate, I'd say go for the 2 different loads. A pleasant load will make it easier to shoot the heavy load when you get to the rams.
I would say that over half of my guns use CPT and R loads. And even the smallbore guns too, well CP and TR. (but that is a matter of cost)
Do what works for you, the practice has been tried and is true.

Joe
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Re: Revolver load question

Post by Unsub »

I find the most accurate load and use it for all C P T R. Using different loads just complicates things. In my opinion,.
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Re: Revolver load question

Post by volleyman »

The best load I've found for the FA 357 is the RCBS (35-200-FN) 200 gr.cast bullet. It is the perfect length for the FA cylinder. I use 12.5 gt of N110 for around ~1250 fps. It's a very comfortable load with light recoil. I use a 50-50 mix of wheel weights and Linotype. I've had better luck with a slower heaver 200gr. bullet in the 357M vs lighter faster 180's. fed 205M's and Starline brass. Redding dual carbide sizing die, competition seating die, and profile crimp die.
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Re: Revolver load question

Post by high standard 40 »

Updating my earlier post, I should have realized that you were using a 357 when you said RCBS 180 gr. I agree with Steve on the RCBS 200. This is the bullet that I use in my DW 357 Mag with excellent results. I can't post the load that I use because it is unpublished but I'll say that I use 296 powder (exact same as H110).
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Re: Revolver load question

Post by borregos »

Unsub wrote:I find the most accurate load and use it for all C P T R. Using different loads just complicates things. In my opinion,.
Yes, I agree and guaranteed I would get them mixed up at sometime in the heat of a match :)
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Re: Revolver load question

Post by jcunclejoe »

Once upon a time when I started shooting silhouettes I ended up using 3 different loads in my 35 rem. For my chicken load I would leave the base of the case as plain brass. for the P, T load I would put an x in sharpie across the base of the case and for the ram load I would color the whole base black.
Never had a problem keeping them straight.

On my current standing loads I'm using 155 HPBT's for C,P,T and 190HPBT's for the rams. I put about 3 little stripes on the nose of the 190's.
It works great.

Be well and shoot great.

Joe
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