IMR 800 X and the Hornady 140gr COWBOY bullet?

[gunnerbob]

IMR 800 X, .38Spl and the Hornady 140gr COWBOY bullet?

I have found limited data on this combination (or ones very similar) and would like to know if anybody here has played with this combo?

I've found some data suggesting 5.5gr to launch this bullet to 850(ish) fps out of a six inch barrel, does this fit anyone's loads?

Thank ya!

 

[noylj]

I have used the 140gn Cowboy bullet in 9x19, 9x21, and .38 Super quite successfully, but not with 800X.
I "assume" you want to use it in .38 Spl or equivalent in .357 Mag. Really need to be clear what cartridge you are using.
That is a very slow powder for a low pressure swaged bullet load. Not that it won't go bang, but it may not burn well.

>
[*]Don't be afraid to use sarcasm, mockery and humiliation. They don't respect you. There's no need to pretend you respect them.

Actually, if you use sarcasm, mockery, or humiliation, they simply get confused.

 

[gunnerbob]

I have used the 140gn Cowboy bullet in 9x19, 9x21, and .38 Super quite successfully, but not with 800X.
I "assume" you want to use it in .38 Spl or equivalent in .357 Mag. Really need to be clear what cartridge you are using.
That is a very slow powder for a low pressure swaged bullet load. Not that it won't go bang, but it may not burn well.

>
[*]Don't be afraid to use sarcasm, mockery and humiliation. They don't respect you. There's no need to pretend you respect them.

Actually, if you use sarcasm, mockery, or humiliation, they simply get confused.

Well, I loaded some .38Spl rounds and tested them over the holiday. They worked well and all fired as expected, recoil was moderate and accuracy was good. The brass fell cleanly out of the cylinders with some fouling. The barrel showed normal fouling as well with no real signs of leading. I suspect velocity was around 750fps from my 4" revolver. I did notice some unburnt powder but not a huge amount, or enough to worry me. They work well enough for target loads but as soon as I can get som 700 X I will.

Noylj, how are the 140s working for you in 9x19?

 

[noylj]

Very well. I'm not pushing them, but they did well. Currently I am working with 125gn .3575" JHPs.
231/HP38 was the best powder for accuracy, with AA5 and Silhouette following.
My "fun" load is 4.1 231/HP38 in .38 Super at 1.260" for less than 1" at 25 yards.

 

[gunnerbob]

Very well. I'm not pushing them, but they did well. Currently I am working with 125gn .3575" JHPs.
231/HP38 was the best powder for accuracy, with AA5 and Silhouette following.
My "fun" load is 4.1 231/HP38 in .38 Super at 1.260" for less than 1" at 25 yards.

You still have access to those powders? Man... we got nothin'! Less than 1" at 25yds?! Damn, that's good.

 

[noylj]

8# keg of all three powders. When Clinton/Obama were running, I could see the writing on the wall and stocked up.
All I missed was Power Pistol.

 

[gunnerbob]

Figured I'd give an update on this load. It works great for training! I've loaded and shot about 500 rounds so far, I do get some smoke and a wee bit of unburnt powder... neither one concerns me. I'm getting good accuracy, around 2" at 25' (not bag-rested shots) is the usual grouping. It obviously doesn't meter as well as others, so there seems to be a difference of 0.2-0.4 grains in either direction of the scale in any given load... no worries. I figure that as long as nobody else is buying 800 X here, I'll pick it all up!