kodiakisland
Well-known member
Have been thinking of adding a 44sp 97 to the stable. Was hoping they had longer throats for heavies. I love my 97s, but loading for them can be challenging at times when you have your heart set on a specific bullet.
What are you currently reloading?
- Thread starter VikingsGuy
- Start date
I’ve read that the cylinder can be sent back to FA and it can be opened up a bit to accommodate the heavier bullets. I haven’t confirmed that yet though - seems totally plausible though.
My FA .44 special is a round-butt 3.5” barreled version. 240gr. SWC’s over 7.5 of Unique is giving me 1050 fps and almost 600# of energy - which is pretty darn good and the recoil is very controllable. It’s hard to imagine what/where I would need more juice than that.
kodiakisland
Well-known member
That sounds like a fun gun to shoot. Probably wouldn't want to go any faster.
My back country carry is a 4.2in fixed sight 45 colt with 280gr WFN at 1000fps. If I do get a 44sp, I'll probably look to load a 260gr LBT style at the same velocity.
Seems like an ideal chamber in the FA97 would be a 44sp cut to the length of the 44mag for loading heavy bullets. I imagine you could push the 300+gr bullets at 1000fps fairly easy.
I'm sure FA would lengthen the chamber, but at a pretty high expense. I use my cylinders as a go/no go gage when reloading. Loading for a FA definitely made me a better straight wall hand loader. To get around the short 45colt cylinder, I trim my brass quite a bit shorter than standard so my 280s have the correct overall length. The hardest thing is segregating my FA loads from my Ruger loads. Those ruger chambers are so big and long that anything drops in them.
Last edited:
millerkiller77
Well-known member
It was 88°-90° yesterday so I figured it was a good day to test Staball 6.5 temp insensitivity. I froze the shells for 3 hours, then vac sealed and embedded in the center of an ice chest full if ice. I forgot to take my IR gun but the ice was not melted when I took the shells out. I'm guessing it was about a 70° temp swing between frozen and shells left out in ambient temps.
MTLabrador
Well-known member
Staball match looks like it would be great in the .308, but I just bought a fresh 8 pounder of Varget so I’m pretty well committed. Going to try out some 155 and 168 ELDMs to help my new scope stretch its legs. Mil/mil and FFP even, I’m one of the cool kids now.
MTLabrador
Well-known member
I really considered the Maven, but I got a SWFA 3-9HD. Love it.
Potsie
Well-known member
Great scope. The 3d printed zero stop tubes/shims are a cheap but handy add-on.
MTLabrador
Well-known member
I’m planning on adding those.
Finished 39 test loads for the Tikka T3X 6.5x55SE. Trying an Nosler Accubond 140gr with a COAL of 3.074, which is based off its favorite ammunition that shoots inside MOA, a Sako Super Hammerhead 140gr factory that they no longer make and I’m running out of.
Running REM 9 1/2s with H4381SC from 43 -46.6 (inside max) at 0.3 gr increments out of Sako brass. 3 at each step, so we’ll see where the plateaus are (and if I can match the velocity off the factory).
With that job out of the way until I get to the range and test (oh for a non windy day), it’s on to getting the 280AI stuff ready for a new rifle that's destined for an elk hunt.
Running REM 9 1/2s with H4381SC from 43 -46.6 (inside max) at 0.3 gr increments out of Sako brass. 3 at each step, so we’ll see where the plateaus are (and if I can match the velocity off the factory).
With that job out of the way until I get to the range and test (oh for a non windy day), it’s on to getting the 280AI stuff ready for a new rifle that's destined for an elk hunt.
Last edited:
MS 9x56
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2022
- Messages
- 388
9x56 ms with 250 grain roundnose using quality cartridge brass. Also 9.3x 62 with 232 grain Normal Vulcan protected soft point. Getting ready for some hog hunting.
CowboyLeroy
Well-known member
millerkiller77
Well-known member
That's a nice setup. There is a ton of aftermarket accessories and upgrades for those presses and Dillon support is top notch. If I was in the market for another progressive I'd have no qualms about bidding on it.
millerkiller77
Well-known member
Loaded up 350, 60gr VMAX. I wish they came with a boat tail, FB is a pain in the ass .
62gr ELD-VT if you can fit it. Love the 60gr Vmax but every time I load a boat tail in another case, I think about switching.
millerkiller77
Well-known member
I won't be switching for a while. CDVS had a sale on the 60VMAX, combined with a promo code and free shipping I snagged several thousand for 10cents ea, delivered. I think they still have them on sale for 13cents ea.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Whoa, looks slippery...
Caseknife
Well-known member
Was looking at my Rem XP100 7BR and Hammer's site, 67 Shock Hammer, hmmmm.
Tried Benchmark first, couldn't hit pressure and only about 2850. Switched to H4198, hit pressure at 34gr, backed off to 33 gr, 3228!
223AI and 35gr Hammer Hunters, 4200fps, fun projects
Tried Benchmark first, couldn't hit pressure and only about 2850. Switched to H4198, hit pressure at 34gr, backed off to 33 gr, 3228!
223AI and 35gr Hammer Hunters, 4200fps, fun projects
They’ve got a perfect G7 BC of .257, so they’re a pretty efficient little projectile.
