For some time I've been thinking of reloaders using slow burning powders for reduced loads in small capacity cartridges and cast bullets normally requiring faster burning powders . I've done a little of this in the past to a small degree but today gave it kind of an acid test.
Using a mod. 200 Stevens with a 22PPC barrel a number of various weight bullets were tested using: WXR., H-4831, DP85 (close to the 4350s) DP 86 ( slower than the 4831s ) 10 rounds of each load were fired.
The resultant repeatabilities ran from great to shity, but that wasn't the important effect. All the loads were dirty from degrees of unburned powder which tended to JAM the action. Often during the testing the action and chamber had to be cleaned in order to continue. The barrel during the 2 1/2 hour testing was not cleaned and visually it doesn't look too good.
What I saw today really looks like bad idea loading. roger

Powders need certain minimum pressure to burn completely. I even observed this with slower powders like H110 in the .45 LC, you need to go very high until combustion is clean and leaves little to no residues.

quote:

Originally posted by DUK:
Powders need certain minimum pressure to burn completely. I even observed this with slower powders like H110 in the .45 LC, you need to go very high until combustion is clean and leaves little to no residues.

totally agree. The h-110 in a revolver, other than a fully loaded 44 Mag., loses pressure when the bullet fully enters the barrel. This happens because of the gap between the cylinder and barrel. In a 38 special The cast bullets have got stock in the barrel. In a 38 special rifle, however, the H-110 is a great performer. roger

Did you try pointing the muzzle upward and then slowly bringing it down on target? This is supposed to settle the powder against the flash hole. And did you try any filler--kapok?

quote:

Originally posted by wasbeeman:
Did you try pointing the muzzle upward and then slowly bringing it down on target? This is supposed to settle the powder against the flash hole. And did you try any filler--kapok?

Wasn't trying to make it work better; just studying results as is. roger