Maxam does not provide data for its Commercial # 5 for the 38 special. Nor is there much available information on the Internet. Some Say its similar to this and others say it's similar to that.
I loaded five different loads yesterday using Lyman Red Dot data as a starting guide only, for 120 grain LRN bullets. The starting Red Dot load is 3.3 grains and the max is 4.6. My gun is an older S&W 357 model 66 with a 4 inch barrel. Since the starting load for the Max. # 5 is an unknown I dropped the starting load to 2.9. Using my Lee Pro Disk measure I started with the 4.0 cavity and increased the load one cavity at a time until I reached 4.1g with the 4.9 cavity. I only loaded five rounds of every different powder measurement. This was a very non technical test. I don't own a chrono (but after this test I really want one.) My main objective was to find out if the Red Dot data can be used for the Maxam powder. I believe it can but my findings were inconclusive since I never pushed it to the maximum load limit. The 2.9g load was very anemic, probably borderline squib. The 4.1 load was snappy. I can't say what the maximum load would have felt like or performed like since I didn't go that far and lack the means to test velocity. What I can say is that the powder performed very well at 4.1g. I was only shooting from 15 feet at a 1 inch round dot to test it. Even with the 2.9 load it was point of aim accurate. The first group was about two inches in diameter. Every time I increased the load the groups tightened. With the 4.1 load I pulled the first shot off the target. The other four took out the 1" dot. The target is a 5"x7" piece of hanging flat steel that swings to the rear when hit. The 4.1 load rocked it pretty good.
I think I am going to really like this powder. It was accurate and my 4.1 cases were clean. I hope I can get some more.
I loaded five different loads yesterday using Lyman Red Dot data as a starting guide only, for 120 grain LRN bullets. The starting Red Dot load is 3.3 grains and the max is 4.6. My gun is an older S&W 357 model 66 with a 4 inch barrel. Since the starting load for the Max. # 5 is an unknown I dropped the starting load to 2.9. Using my Lee Pro Disk measure I started with the 4.0 cavity and increased the load one cavity at a time until I reached 4.1g with the 4.9 cavity. I only loaded five rounds of every different powder measurement. This was a very non technical test. I don't own a chrono (but after this test I really want one.) My main objective was to find out if the Red Dot data can be used for the Maxam powder. I believe it can but my findings were inconclusive since I never pushed it to the maximum load limit. The 2.9g load was very anemic, probably borderline squib. The 4.1 load was snappy. I can't say what the maximum load would have felt like or performed like since I didn't go that far and lack the means to test velocity. What I can say is that the powder performed very well at 4.1g. I was only shooting from 15 feet at a 1 inch round dot to test it. Even with the 2.9 load it was point of aim accurate. The first group was about two inches in diameter. Every time I increased the load the groups tightened. With the 4.1 load I pulled the first shot off the target. The other four took out the 1" dot. The target is a 5"x7" piece of hanging flat steel that swings to the rear when hit. The 4.1 load rocked it pretty good.
I think I am going to really like this powder. It was accurate and my 4.1 cases were clean. I hope I can get some more.
