Since I recently got my Ruger "flat-top" I thought I should load some classic Keith loads. I bought some 168 grain Keith-style hard cast lead semi-wadcutters from Leadheads and proceeded to load them over 13.5 grains of 2400 in Federal 357 magnum cases with Winchester small magnum primers. They seem pretty consistent except they print about 4"-5" low from where I aim. I already have the rear sight cranked all the way down.
Is there anything that can be done? I've read from several sources that this load is commonly used in .38sp brass, but I would rather be consistent and use .357 magnum brass.

I'm guessing the reduced space in a .38 special case will up the pressure and cause the bullet to travel a bit faster, thus print higher. Is this correct?

I'm also guessing if the above is true, I could crimp above the forward driving band to simulated the space found in a .38 special case. Looks like crap though crammed in the brass so far...

Anyway, I've loaded both versions in hopes of finding an answer tomorrow at the range, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask around to get others experiences with this.

Thanks for anything you guys can offer,

Patrick

I think I would get a shorter front sight. Buy another one from Ruger or Brownells and file it down alittle until you get some elevation adjustment back.
Your load sounds fun. I would want it to hit POA if it were mine.
Cheezywan

If it hits low you need to raise the rear sight. ;)

The good news is that if your rear sight is all the way down, you have ample room to adjust your sights for this load. This is a good thing.

Im not making fun of you. It took KenK to clear up why I was worried that there was something I knew but was missing.

How well does this load print for you? How fast?

The good news is that if your rear sight is all the way down, you have ample room to adjust your sights for this load. This is a good thing.

Im not making fun of you. It took KenK to clear up why I was worried that there was something I knew but was missing.

How well does this load print for you? How fast?

Good eye MMichaelAK. It was right there to read.
Move the rear sight the direction you want the bullet to go.
The front sight is the opposite.
Cheezywan

Shhoots low? Great! That's a "good thing". It can be adjusted for. Most of the time factory sights seem to shoot too high even at the lowest adjustment with anything except "full tilt" loads....

FWIW,

Dennis

Shhoots low? Great! That's a "good thing". It can be adjusted for. Most of the time factory sights seem to shoot too high even at the lowest adjustment with anything except "full tilt" loads....

FWIW,

Dennis


:) Thanks guys. I quickly realized this today while shooting. My excuse is that this is my first gun with adjustable sights.

So, both the 38 loading and the 357 loading deep crimped and the regular 357 load crimped in the crimping groove all shot about the same. I'm not sure about velocity as I don't have a chronograph, but they should be about 1200-1300 fps. I will stick with the 357 cases with the normal crimp. They are much prettier to look at anyway. ;)

Thanks again for helping this newbie understand.

Patrick

Good eye MMichaelAK. It was right there to read.
Move the rear sight the direction you want the bullet to go.
The front sight is the opposite.
Cheezywan
:) I know.

Sheesh, I knew he was okay, just couldn't figure out how I knew what I knew and why, just that everything would work and there really wasn't a problem. Want to hide something from me, hide it in plain sight...

I have 2 of the 50th Anniversary Flattops. They both required more rear sight elevation than I wanted. I filed down the front sight to allow me to lower the rear sight just a little, so it isn't so high in its channel.

I have 2 of the 50th Anniversary Flattops. They both required more rear sight elevation than I wanted. I filed down the front sight to allow me to lower the rear sight just a little, so it isn't so high in its channel.

A common request, when sending a Blackhawk back to Ruger for a reblue (or whatever), is the substitution of the front sight from a 4 5/8" model. This gives an adjustment range that works with ALL barrel lengths. I wish Ruger would catch on to this idea....(I'm speaking of models with the front sight silver soldered on)

I'll be having this done to my 10" Flattop when I have it reblued. It's front sight is too short.....

FWIW,

Dennis

Lower velocity loads typically impact higher at shorter distances due to dwell time in the barrel results in the barrel being higher in the recoil arc when the bullet leaves the muzzle.

If you don't wish to modify the sights and are open to other load combinations, experiment.

It's sure to bad they don't put those redhawk front sights on that have the interchangable blades. You guys ought to talk to Ruger about that.

KenK hit it right on. Simple fix let us know how it groups @ 25'-50' If this didn't fix the problem than I would say it's the load. My T/C has a 6"span from .38sp loads to the mid range .357 loads. They all have a good group but it liked the 158Magtech loads the best. :) Guy