First shot is slow

Wyatt Smith

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The other day while working up a load for my 357 magnum while using 160 grain gas checked semi wad cutters with accurate No.9 the first shot of a string would always be about 100 fps slower than the rest.
After reloading the revolver, it would happen again.
I tried two different bullet styles and several different charge weights and had the same results. It’s a pity too because the subsequent shots were very close in velocity and quite accurate.
I don’t think it’s a chronograph issue as the recoil and report were noticeably less. Also I tried shooting some from the same chamber, so this eliminates a slow hole.
My W296 and IMR 4227 loads perform as they should.
Any thoughts?
 
Do you have a digital thermometer, take a temperature reading of the barrel/chamber before, during and after shooting, could be as simple as temperature sensitive powder and you could be right on the edge of its "sweet spot" Aside from that I have no idea.
Gumpy
 
Do you have a digital thermometer, take a temperature reading of the barrel/chamber before, during and after shooting, could be as simple as temperature sensitive powder and you could be right on the edge of its "sweet spot" Aside from that I have no idea.
Gumpy
I may try it, but I can’t see it cooling off enough in the time it takes me to reload. Also they don’t keep getting faster, it levels off. For example one batch I tested the first round 1185 and the remaining 5 were all really close to 1300. If I excluded the first shot the extreme spread was only about 40 FPS. As soon as I got it reloaded, the same thing happened on the next cylinder full.
 
Are you firing the first round single action and then DA on the rest ? Maybe it is a light primer strike on the first or something similar.
 
Are you firing the first round single action and then DA on the rest ? Maybe it is a light primer strike on the first or something similar.

Try some 38 Special. See if you get the same anomaly.
All shots are fires single action, but a light strike makes as much sense as anything.
My other 357 loads with two different powders are just fine.
 
Have your primary revolver loaded and ready with six rounds, and use another handgun to first fire a single shot? This is an odd situation for sure. What chronograph are you using?
 
Have your primary revolver loaded and ready with six rounds, and use another handgun to first fire a single shot? This is an odd situation for sure. What chronograph are you using?
I will probably try this sometime just for the heck of it, but I doubt it helps as my loads with two others powders work as they always have.
It’s a Pro-Crono. I’d like to upgrade someday, but it works for now. I may drive down to my buddy’s and shoot a few through his chronograph just to see.
 
I was shooting my .357 magnum Win M92 carbine with some test loads the last couple days. I also experienced some slow velocity first shots. I also have no explanation. I was testing loads with Hodgdon Lil'gun powder and 180 gr. bullets, quite a different load. Mysterious.
 

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