LifeisgoodSteve

Hi All, In case anyone else uses the N105 for the larger calibers, I just found it is supposedly available online at Brownells. Ordered some and got the confirmation email, so fingers crossed it's accurate availability. Now if I could just get some 10mm brass... Merry Christmas! Steve

So did you end up trying the 329? How did it go? Actually since this thread started I ended up buying one myself for backpacking and really enjoy it. I've handloaded some rounds with 240gr MBC (coated) come out about 775fps and are quite pleasant to shoot. It lets you know it's there but pretty darn easy considering the comparison with a 1250fps round. Looking forward to sending it in to get cut for moonclips and then doing an IDPA match. The 6 shots and 4" barrel are both at the max. for idpa, so works just fine. Very curious to hear your experience.

Awesome, thanks guys!! I'll check out the alignment tool and get to it. Thankfully I got about 300 rounds done before it started acting up so regularly so have a little time to straighten this out. Thanks! Steve

Hi All, I'm relatively new to loading with maybe a couple thousand .38 p+ rounds. I recently switched components to load the large magnum primers in .44mag, but am encountering some primer seating issues. Using Dillon 650 with Dillon dies, Federal Large Magnum primers, Starline brass (new brass now). Once every 3-10 rounds, when I push the lever forward to seat the primer, I feel the primer "catch" and not want to go into the case. After inadvertently setting off a primer when I pushed too hard in this case, now I go very slowly and if I feel the "catch" I simply remove the case to avoid that happening. Normally when I remove the case the primer hasn't entered at all, but one time I saw that it was stuck at an angle going in. This didn't happen before so any ideas what would cause this? Thanks, Steve

160gr Bayou (.358) .38 special cases V320 4.2gr Ave. PF 135 If ever get the inkling to run Major, I've found the following load fun to shoot with a nice healthy but fun kick: 180gr MBC (.358) .38 special cases V340 5.6gr Ave PF 172

That could very well be true. At the time, I went with them as they were the only coated .358 bullet I could find in 180gr. Everyone else seemed to top out at 158gr. For the more available weights, I'm not an expert at all the options. Have enjoyed the MB so I can run a lower fps to be Major.

Yes, that's what I was noticing. I've seen a few guys run the R8 at local matches, though at 35 oz. at a different level of "light" than the 327. Sorry to sidetrack from OP.

or 327 just as a fun gun?

Sorry, meant if you got a 327 would you get a longer barrel or run the 2"? Cheers

Can check out Missouri Bullet Company also: http://missouribullet.com/results.php?category=20&secondary=8

Would you get a longer aftermarket barrel? 23.1 oz would be sweet if run light enough loads so your hand can handle 100-300 rounds of rapid fire in a day.

The 4 is good if you're gonna carry it in the woods, that's what I have on my 629. With the 4 inch you can sit down in the Jeep without the grips poking you in the ribs. Haha, yeah at competitions, when I go to sit with my 6.5" 929, I need to make sure I'm at the end of the bench or seat so it can hang off the side. That said, if I were to get a 629 not for backcountry defense but actual hunting, I'd seriously consider the extra inch of barrel...but don't want to divert too much. I could see for general use 4" and for competitions/hunting leaning towards the 5", though of course all is personal preference. Cheers

Thanks for enlightening my ignorance, even a little. The coated bullets I use are supposed to be treated like lead cast in terms of loading data, but I'll double check with them. Thx

Hmm...are you trying to get me in trouble with temptation to pick up another wheel gun?! A 5" 629 is already on the radar, but will resist.

Looks beautiful. I tried out the wood at first on mine, but from pure practicality went back to the rubber, with a dremel to smooth out finger grooves. Yours looks way better though!

I've also had good luck with Missouri Bullet Company: https://www.missouribullet.com/

I've enjoyed: https://www.missouribullet.com/ They have a very good selection of bullets and I think it's the same Hi-Tek coating as the Bayou.

Yes, I have zero interest in pushing any limits at the risk of damage to self or gun. So if there is the risk of the bullet not making it out of the barrel, then what changes in the Cowboy loads to avoid that same issue? For example, here are two loads listed on their site for .44 mag with the same V340 powder. The only difference I can see is the bullet type, but would the type make such a dramatic difference in min and max fps (300-400fps)? I'm ignorant on the nuances of bullet types they list, but is there that much of a difference or is there something else going on I'm missing? Personally, I'd plan on using the Missouri Bullet Company Hi-Tek coated bullets, likely in 240gr. They do have 240gr. recommended for "cowboy velocities" that are softer at Brinell 12 rather than the Brinell 18 they recommend for faster velocities. Here are some numbers from VV site: Standard .44 Mag N340 w/240gr JTC-Sil, Hornady bullet = FPS min 1175 max 1247 N340 w/250gr FPJ-Match, Sierra bullet = FPS: min 1119 max 1213 N340 w/300gr HP-XTP, Hornady bullet = FPS: min 997 max 1061 "Cowboy" N340 w/267 LFN bullet = FPS: min735 max945

All very interesting about the powders. As I've got a good bit of the V320 and V340 I'm going to work through those first and then can experiment with the others IF I've got the patience or interest at that point. Likely I may just want to focus on training and shooting rather than fiddling, especially because at some point we'll exit this super wet rainy season and not have as much indoors time.

I second what Buckaroo said about barrel length. If you can, it'd be great to test out the different lengths as I also found the 6.5" not as natural and quick for me in transitions, and didn't feel the need of that longer sight picture for accuracy. Sweet spot for me is 4", but everyone is different. Test drive if you can.

Ok, thanks for the great info. On a slightly separate question, what's the risk if loading below the minimum recommended for the powder? For example, if I'd like to stick to the magnum cases as that's what I'd use for the heavier loads on a backpacking trip, then for practice/training rounds in competition I'd like a much softer load. The VV site has a very small range of difference between the low/high on the v320 and v340 powders of maybe 100-200fps. However, the .44 specials are far far lower fps for the same bullet weight. It seems that with the larger case it could handle lower pressures but the higher pressures which push the boundaries of a case would be where the risk comes in. I'm clearly missing something basic, so am sorry for the simply question.

Thanks. Yeah, I was definitely feeling the urge to do a side by side comparison. When working in my .357 loads I actually had very similar FPS loads for my with the same 158gr bullet using the 320 and 340. In that case I wanted a higher FPS to get into major with .38special brass which I why I went with the v340 I must say that the loads with V340 were very pleasant to shoot, even at 170pf. That had some kick for sure but in a fun way that makes you smile a bit when you shoot it. In the range of powders out there, any that are known to generate lower perceived recoil, in same FPS, in any meaningful way?

Hi All, Going to start having fun with a SW 329pd and have both the V320 and V340 powders. The V340 can go hotter, but I'll not need that for my training and competition loads. As I'm relatively new to reloading, it made me wonder if you can feel a difference in the different powders when shooting? I'm not really talking about smoke or how clean/dirty, but specifically the recoil or feeling of the shot. My guess is that the difference between the V320 and V340 would be minimal, but curious if you guys have any experience with the difference in these and in general between the various powders out there in this regard? Thanks, Steve

I love revolvers because they simply feel good in my hand, solid and with a simplicity which I really like. They're a classic look and feel that's hard to beat. Even my semi-auto buddy gets a smile on his face when shooting some full power magnum loads. Kind of like the feeling you get when hearing the sound of a sweet American V-8. Sure, the Ferrari's and Porsches sound amazing, but there's just something about a sweet sounding V-8 that puts a smile on a red blooded male.

Second vote for the BMT mooner. Tough to swallow the initial price, but you can save the money spent on moonclips, not to mention the time saved loading them with the mooner. Love mine.