96Brigadier

I wasn`t belling the cases much, if at all. Walter suggested increasing the bell, since I did that I haven`t had a single split case. I've actually reloaded the same brass 5 or 6 times now without a single issue so if that wasn't the problem then whatever it was has gone away

4.5 grains HP-38/Win 231. 124 grain Montana Gold CMJ 1.125 OAL 131 PF.

I load 4.4 grains of W231 in my wife's SP-01 Shadow, 1.125 OAL for a 131 power factor.

Walter, Yes, I'm using a case feed for my 650. I have a container of Dillon lube, when I start loading some new brass again I'll give that a try. At least I have some brass i won't mind losing at Provincials and Canadian Nationals Joe, I'll take a look at my new brass and tumble it before hand to see if that helps too, and check out the die for burrs too. Thanks for the tips guys, Steve

Another thought I had (hoping I'm not taking this thread off topic too much) - the brass was brand new, I figured with carbide dies I did not need to lube the brass so I didn't. I found when it went into the powder drop/bell station it would stick really bad and I would have to pull pretty hard to pop the brass out of the die. It was only like that the first time loading, after that it was better. Is it normal for it to be sticking in that die with brand new brass? Should I have lubed it? Does anyone think that could have weakened the brass?

Joe, I had someone else make the same comment to me. I don't bell the case much at all, if anything I under bell them (if that's possible). The bell was about .378 which is effectively next to none, with that amount on my 650 I have to hold the bullet on top as I raise the shell plate or it sometimes tips over. Do you think it's possible to "under bell" and stress the case just as someone would if they over belled it? I just increased the bell to .385 (it was suggested to me that the bell should be between .386-.388). I hope I get to the bottom of this quickly, I just pulled about 150 rounds out of the tumbler and found another split case. That makes 3 now.

I tried 200 rounds with small rifle primers, no issues what-so-ever with the primers. One thing I didn't mention before that I'm curious to get some respones on: With brand new starline brass, after loading ~1000 rounds twice I had two split cases. i.e. brand new brass, load, shoot, load again, shoot, 2 split cases in the second go around. Any thoughts on that? I wasn't expecting to have any split cases that quickly.

I've been running 7.3 grains of Longshot lately, at a Level II match last weekend it chrono'd at 168 PF. The only problem is I've been getting some primer flattening and had 3 perforated primers in 150 rounds, all with Winchester Small Pistol primers. I'll be trying some WSR primers next and working up a load with them.

Based upon my testing I'd say your findings are accurate. With a similar set up (no barrel holes) 7.5 grains of Longshot with the same OAL as you gives me a 172 power factor. I didn't chrono a 7.6 load but I would estimate it would come in around the same velocity/PF as what you found above.

Got my new Millenium M2 Chronograph out today. Here's the results of my longshot loads. All of the following were with Montana Gold 124 JHP, 1.255 OAL, 10 rounds per load (see one of my posts above for more details on the firearm used). The temperature was about 48 Degrees F so on the cool side (anyone know if the velocity goes up or down as temperature goes up?) 7.2 Grains Longshot Av. 1329 Hi. 1355 Lo. 1293 ES. 62 PF 164.8 7.3 Grains Longshot Av. 1334 Hi. 1355 Lo. 1316 ES 39 PF 165.4 7.4 Grains Longshot Av. 1369 Hi. 1393 Lo. 1338 ES 55 PF 169.8 7.5 Grains Longshot Av. 1389 Hi. 1402 Lo. 1376 ES 26 PF 172.3

Yes, 38 Super. It has a Bedell 7 port progressive titanium comp on it, Schuemann Ultimatch barrel. I'll take some pictures of the top and post those too.

While I'm a USPSA member, those shirts are not mine. The city I live in has about 100,000 US ex-pats living here so we get a pretty good influence from the US on our shooting One of those ex-pats owns those shirts.

My first Open blaster, built by Greg Copeland in Kansas.

How hot is Longshot compared to other powders in 38 Super? I was at the range on the weekend and noticed the barrel was getting VERY hot VERY quickly. i.e. the barrel would have burned my hand had I grabbed onto it. Is this something to worry about with Longshot? I must admit I went through 100 rounds very quickly. re: less powder, I'm going to try that in two weeks once I get my new chronograph (CED Millenium M2).

Try some Longshot too, in my Open blaster with a Schuemann barrel 7625 has more recoil and shakes whereas Longshot is quite nice. 7.5 grains, 1.255 OAL makes about 174 PF. Here's a little discussion on it: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=50118