I don't regularly post groups or targets, but since I shot this one with a Dan Wesson I had to post it.

I was measuring velocities on the chronograph, using a couple of Dan Wesson Revolvers. I used my model 714 for the 38/357 baseline. I had the new 4inch EWK stainless barrel installed on the gun and a shorter EWK Dan Wesson Model 14 conversion front sight blade.
(So I could use a model 715 barrel shroud on my non adjustable rear sight model 714)

I shot this nice group on Saturday with the EWK barrel, using Winchester White Box 38 Special.

It's hard to tell from the pic, but there are actually 6 rounds in the target. 5 in the upper ragged hole, and 1 in the bulls eye. The new EWK barrel shoots better than all of my other Dan Wesson barrels do.

Here's some 38 and 357 Magnum chronograph numbers using the EWK 4inch barrel assembly.
-------------------------------------
38 Special Winchester 130 grain FMJ White Box
767 FPS - Low
808 FPS - High
-------------------------------------
357 Magnum Federal 158 grain JHP Federal
1204 FPS - Low
1231 FPS - High
--------------------------------------
357 Magnum Hand Loads 158 grain JFP loaded with Alliant Steel powder.
Standard CCI #500 small pistol primer used with a loaded cartridge OAL of 1.590
--------------------------------------
11.0 grains of Alliant Steel 357 Magnum 158 JFP 1.590 OAL
Chronograph Error
Chronograph Error
--------------------------------------
12.0 grains of Alliant Steel 357 Magnum 158 JFP 1.590 OAL
911 FPS - Low
1161 FPS - High
--------------------------------------
13.0 grains of Alliant Steel 357 Magnum 158 JFP 1.590 OAL
1155 FPS - Low
1218 FPS - High
--------------------------------------
14.0 grains of Alliant Steel 357 Magnum 158 JFP 1.590 OAL
1221 FPS - Low
1266 FPS - High
--------------------------------------
13.0 grains of Hercules Blue Dot 357 Magnum 158 JFP 1.590 OAL
1269 FPS - Low
1273 FPS - High
-------------------------------------
Note: 13.0 grains of Blue Dot is an OVERMAX load now according to modern load data. I included it as I was trying to come close to the original Blue Dot load using Alliant Steel as a alternate propellant.

I slowly and safely worked my way up to this load many years ago using an old keg of Hercules Blue Dot powder, and data from the 1987 Speer #11 reloading manual. Please do not duplicate the 13.0 grain Blue Dot load. Just because it was safe in my gun does not mean it will be safe in yours. Use modern load data, when re-loading with modern propellents.

10.2 grains of Blue Dot is the new current max using modern Alliant Blue Dot powder and load data, and should not be exceeded.
-------------------------------------

-------------------------------------
Chronograph results for 44 Magnum.

Here are some 44 Magnum rifle numbers, in case you ever wondered how much of a difference barrel length makes in regards to velocity.

Rifle 44 Magnum FPS

--------------------------------------
Federal 240 grain 44 Magnum JHP (Lever Action Rifle)
Test rifle is a Henry lever action 44 Magnum with a 20 inch barrel.
1733 FPS - Low
1763 FPS - High
--------------------------------------

Moving on to the 44 Magnum REVOLVER testing.

-------------------------------------
Federal Factory 240 grain 44 Magnum JHP (for a production ammunition baseline)
Test revolver is a Dan Wesson 445 Super Mag w/6 inch barrel assembly.
1315 FPS - Low
1389 FPS - High
Average Velocity: 1352 FPS
-------------------------------------
Sellier & Bellot Factory 240 grain JFP  44 Magnum (factory ammunition baseline again)
Test revolver is a Dan Wesson 445 Supermag w/6 inch barrel assembly.
1239 - High
1169 - Low
Average Velocity: 1201 FPS
-------------------------------------

Hand loaded 44 Magnum with a 240 grain JFP, using Alliant Steel powder. OAL is 1.610, used CCI #300 standard large pistol primers. None of the 44 Magnum loads with Alliant Steel showed any pressure signs, or experienced any sticky extraction.
Test revolver is still a Dan Wesson 445 Supermag, w/6 inch barrel assembly

---------------------------------------
12.0 grains of Alliant Steel 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610
Error - Low pressure, dirty lots of unburnt powder
--------------------------------------
13.0 grains of Alliant Steel 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610
Error - Low pressure, dirty
--------------------------------------
13.0 grains of Alliant Steel 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610
Error - Low pressure, dirty
-------------------------------------
13.0 grains of Hercules Blue Dot 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610
Error
Note: Load felt quite mild.
------------------------------------
13.0 grains of Alliant 2400 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610
Error
Note: VERY mild load, and cases were sooty.
------------------------------------
14.0 grains of Alliant Steel 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610
Error
Note: almost felt like a regular/mild 44 Magnum load. Soot on cases still.
-------------------------------------
14.5 grains of Alliant Steel 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610
Error
Note: Got sick of the chronograph errors, so went and put LED lights on the Chronograph at this point.
Soot on the cases is starting to clean up a little.
-------------------------------------

Chronograph results using the LED Lights...

 -------------------------------------
15.0 grains of Alliant Steel 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610
1125 FPS - Low
1153 FPS - High
Average Velocity: 1139 FPS
Note: Soot on outside of cases is gone now
-------------------------------------
16.0 grains of Alliant Steel 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610
1138 FPS - Low
1153 FPS - High
Average Velocity: 1145 FPS
Note: outside of brass clean
-------------------------------------
16.0 grains of Hercules Blue Dot 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610 (comparison)
1191 FPS - Low
1291 FPS - High
Average Velocity: 1241 FPS
Note: outside of brass clean
-------------------------------------
17.0 grains of Alliant Steel 44 Magnum OAL of 1.610
1203 FPS - Low
1270 FPS - High
Average Velocity: 1236 FPS
Note: Cases were cleanest here, brass is sealing to cylinder well.
-------------------------------------

44 Magnum Conclusions:

Factory S&B 240GR = 1201 FPS Average Velocity
Factory Fed 240GR = 1352 FPS Average Velocity

15 grains STEEL = 1139 FPS Average Velocity
16 grains BlueDot =1241 FPS Average Velocity
16 grains STEEL = 1145 FPS Average Velocity
17 grains STEEL = 1236 FPS Average Velocity

My lot of Steel (CE 0519) was roughly 1 grain slower per charge than Blue Dot in 357 Magnum and 44 Magnum.
16 Grains of Blue Dot, or 17 Grains of Steel falls in between S&B, and Federal factory 44 Mag 240 grain ammunition velocities, and comes very close to duplicating factory velocity levels.

- Bullwolf

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedInShare on Pinterest