Blue Dot in .357 Mag.

[RED]

Since Alliant 2400 powder is simply not available around here, I have been diddling with Alliant Blue Dot and Hodgdon 110

Ponder this: Why are the start/maximum loads for pistols bigger than than for rifles?

From the latest Sierra manual:

.357 pistol loads for Blue dot behind 158 gr. JSP. Start- 11.6 Max. 12.6

.357 rifle loads for Blue dot behind 158 gr. JSP. Start- 10.0 Max. 11.2
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Hornady loads (from Loadbooks)

.357 pistol loads for H-110 behind HP-XTP 158 gr. Start- 12.7 Max* 15.6

.357 rifle loads for H-110 behind HP-XTP 158 gr. Start- 8.6 Max* 15.5

*Note 4.1gr. difference in starting loads

[joem]

Only thing that comes to mind would be barrel length that might build more pressure. I've been using AA # 9 lately as I have plenty.

[PhillipM]

I'm just guessing, but if the handgun is a revolver it has a much bigger jump to the rifling and has the barrel to cylinder gap to reduce pressure.

[Sunray]

"...Ponder this:..." the real question is why does Hodgdon say to use magnum primers for H110 in a .357, but not a .30 Carbine. snicker.

[Matt Anthony]

Powder has a longer burn time in the rifle.
Mattg hi

[emmagee1917]

Magnum pistol vs. non-magnum rifle . Different critters .
Chris

[Tuna]

And the primers are about the same as to there ability to shatter and ignite the powder. Small magnum pistol is the same as a small rifle in ability to ignite powder in a small case like a 30 carbine or say a .22 Hornet.

[RED]

After pondering it... Is it possible that a considerable amount of the powder in a pistol, exits the barrel and is not burned but does burn in the longer rifle barrel. Which begs the question, if it don't burn, why use it to start with?

[Litt'le Lee]

you may find that a modern pistol will have a higher pressure rating than a lever gun

[emmagee1917]

Burning rate is for the time it takes for the complete granule to burn . If you get , say , an 80% burn , well , 80% of a lot is much greater than 80% of a little .
Chris