Barrel length velocity differences in 357 max. 3 NEW loads added

[mo_bio]

I ran these through the new chrony this morning.  Not sure how I made it this long without buying one of these things.   The 2 guns were 357 max with 4 different loads.  The barrels are 16.5" (shorty) and 22" standard. Chrono 10', overcast, 74 degrees
Load 1: 2400, cci450, 194 gr GC ranchdog
3 shot average long barrel: 2046 Short: 2002
Load 2: h110, cci 450 180 gr MO bullet 180 gr striker
3 shot average long: 1923 short: 1872
Load 3: 2400, CCI 450, 194 gr RD PB
3 shot ave long: 1606 short 1554
Load 4: lil gun, CCI 450, 180 gr hrn ssp
3 shot average long: 2088 short 1940
As you can see there is not much difference.  I may end up with 2 shortys soon.

[YRUpunting?]

I've been thinking about shortening my Max and your test shows I should keep it at 22".  I'm not sure I understand all your abbreviations, I read your results for cast bullets it doesn't make much difference but for the SSP you lose about 8% FPS in the shorty.


Thanks for the test.  Great info.

[mo_bio]

You're right, the SSP clearly lost the most.  It made far less difference for the cast bullets. Pretty cool results and I am not sure I expected them to be so different between cast and SSP.
GC=Gas check, PB= Plain Base, MO= missouri (bullet company), RD= Ranch Dog

[mo_bio]

You're right, the SSP clearly lost the most.  It made far less difference for the cast bullets. Pretty cool results and I am not sure I expected them to be so different between cast and SSP.
GC=Gas check, PB= Plain Base, MO= missouri (bullet company), RD= Ranch Dog

[rdlange]

Good to know... supports the use of cast boolits.
 
Maybe more significantly = the "lil gun" load lost the most velocity..?? 
 
How did the muzzleblast compare between the two different lengths?  Which powder had the least muzzle flash?  Did you notice this?
 
Thanks.
 
 

[wvrealtor]

If you use slower powders there will be more of a difference in velocity. Try some RL7 and see what happens.

Later,
  Stephen

[petemi]

The SSP results surprise me.  So far, I've gotten my best velocities with LiL' Gun and the SSP.  I may have some 1680 to try this weekend.

I've wondered about RL7, but I can't find any Maxi data on it.  It's wonderful in my "Maxi Long Rifle".....my .38-55

Pete

[mo_bio]

I am going to load up some cast this weekend with lil gun and see what happens.  I thought I would try and isolate bullet vs. powder on some of these.
 
I did pay attention to muzzle blast.  I had the rifle my lead sled and was not down on the gun when I was pulling the trigger for just this reason.  I noticed a little more blast from the shorty but not much.  I expected way more from the shorty but it was very slight.  Not enough to be an issue.
 
I have been thinking about RL 7 myself.  By all rights it should be excellent.  I am going ot go in search of a load.
 
The other part of this tale is the recovered bullets.  I was shooting into a large, old wet stump.  I dug the bullets out.  The SSP was destroyed while all of the WW cast were nicely mushroomed.  That said, the SSP would have done more than a good job of killing a deer and are the most accurate from the shorty.

[quickdtoo]

Steve mentions RL7 in his guest book, says 1680 works better. Handloads.com has several RL7 loads that were published by Aliant at one time.

Tim

http://357maximum.com/guestbook/?cp=1

http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/default.asp?Caliber=357%20Maximum&Order=Powder&Source=&Weight=All&type=Handgun

[44 Man]

Well, what I learned from this test is that I wouldn't carry around that extra 6" of barrel for what little bit of velocity it gained.  I will take the 'handi'ness of the short barrel every time.  Thanks for the info!  44 Man

[mtbugle]

probably more the burn rate of lil gun powder affecting the diff of velocity than the bullet type.
Thanks Don.

[LaOtto222]

Great information. If you are going to shorten the 22" barrel, it would be interesting to find out what difference it makes in velocity as you shorten it 1" at a time. Take a load where the fps difference is large and cut the longer one down 1" at a time until you get it where you want it. I do not have a desire to shorten my barrel. I feel that the Handi is pretty handy at 22". A 22" barrel on a single shot frame is about the same as a 18" barrel on a bolt gun.I f I were to use it in a blind that is tight and have to swing around, it would be advantageous to cut it down or if I wanted to carry it behind my truck seat for a quick exit. Also, if I shorten mine, I will loose the front sight, unless I drill and tap a new one. It is also interesting that the cast bullets did not have much difference in velocity, but the jacketed bullet did. Could it be barrel resistance makes the longer barrel come into play more? Does the short barrel and the long barrel have slightly different diameters, making the results skewed? The test certainly sheds some light on barrel length, but leaves me at least, with more questions. I think that the barrel shortening 1" at a time would answer some of the questions.But again, I am not the guy to do it, because mine will stay at 22".

Good Luck and Good Shooting

[cwlongshot]

RL7 is too slow for all but possibly the lightest of bullets in the MAXI...

CW

[dpe.ahoy]

probably more the burn rate of lil gun powder affecting the diff of velocity than the bullet type.
Thanks Don.

This is the same thought I have.  DP

[mo_bio]

Load 5: 357 MAX  18.5 g 2400, cci450, 180 gr hrn ssp (3 shot ave)
Short Barrel: 1898
Long Barrel: 1929
Load 6: 357 MAX 18.5 gr 2400, CCI 450, 194 gr GC ranch dog (3 shot Ave)
Short: 1894
Long: 1932
Load 7: 357 MAGNUM, H110, WSMP, 175 gr Plain base Ranch dog
Short: 1465 (4 shot ave)
Long: 1500 (5 shot ave)
66.6 degrees overcast 100% humidity

[blind ear]

Well, what I learned from this test is that I wouldn't carry around that extra 6" of barrel for what little bit of velocity it gained.  I will take the 'handi'ness of the short barrel every time.  Thanks for the info!  44 Man

-
I agree with 44man, I didn't cut mine short but wish I had noe for only 100 fps difference. I thought it might be a lot more but didn't take the time to look. "Handi" is the reason for the gun to me. ear

[mo_bio]

probably more the burn rate of lil gun powder affecting the diff of velocity than the bullet type.
Thanks Don.

Looks like you guys are right on with the burn rate being the issue.  I am going to do my other barrel to a shorty and keep the lil' gun for other calibers.  I am really liking the 2400 right now.