BushBuster wrote:Hi guys I'm new to the forum but I have been reloading long enough to keep myself out of trouble?
I've been playing around with the 185g sierra jhp, and Lil' Gun but was wondering if you guys had any incite with any 185g loads. I'm not trying to get the fastest round but trying to push it out farther on the range with speeds over the 2200 mark. I found out that I would need a faster primer than the cci primer I'm using. I was able to get the right crimp on the round to stop the soot on the case I think if I can duplicate the round. ...
BushBuster-
I'll echo Wildcatter's welcome.
I just wrote a really verbose reply to some questions another new poster had about 185-grain bullets. It could be helpful:
Link to that thread .
My own work with the 185-grainers is covered in a multi-part saga. It may have some hints for you.
I'll comment on some of your specific questions. I hope some of the other forum members may comment where they think I'm being misleading.
BushBuster wrote:Anyways the questions that I have are...
1. What are some of the primers do you guys think work the best.
As the others have mentioned, with many of the powders for light bullets, you'll need to use a magnum primer. I'm currently using CCI No. 41 primers, which are a magnum small rifle primer with a cup that is supposed to be tougher than usual.
BushBuster wrote:2. What is the shortest OAL could I use to give me even more bullet to grab onto.
Because I haven't used the Sierra JHP 185 and don't have any on hand, I can't offer a specific measurement. The threads above show that I've shoved my 185's pretty far into the case. As long as it doesn't interfere with feeding, or cause compression of the powder, shorter may be better.
BushBuster wrote:3. Does anyone recommend any other bullets that might work better?
Sierra usually makes fine bullets, and I doubt the two 185's I've tried would be better. For the 450B, bullets closer to .452 are probably better in terms of better crimping and bore fit. If you can find a jacketed 185 that is larger in diameter than your Sierra then it might be marginally better.
BushBuster wrote:3. Does Lil' Gun burn better with higher grains in the cartridge. For example I found some unburned powder in my barrel at lower grains vs. Little to none at the highest grain loads with the same heavy crimp.
Maybe. Like many ball powders, Lil'Gun does not respond well to load reduction. Some amount of powder is required to build up sufficient pressure to produce a progressive, complete ignition. Unburned powder granules are a sign that your load is too low. Ball powders don't work like extruded powders; the Winchester ball-powder loading manuals recommend not reducing their given loads more than 5% of maximum. To do otherwise can lead to odd pressure excursions.
BushBuster wrote:4. Has anyone used faster burning powders?
Yep. See my blurbs on 2400 and Blue Dot, cited above. Some other threads in this forum have more information.
--Bob