doubleshot Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 New reloader here just shot my first batch of test bullets last evening. Very cool! Great feeling to make my own bullets! Everything went great, I had 2 goals......1- don't hurt anyone including my self and 2- don't shoot the chrony and It went off without a hitch. I want to make a basic mid velocity plinking load and am using: --HP-38 --Bayoubullets SWC 158 gr --Win primer --data from Lyman on a Dillon 550b press. I shot 3 rounds from the low end 3.6 gr and 5 shots each from 3.7,3.8 and 3.9 gr. Chrony was at about 15 feet from barrel. My average velocity was a good bit lower that listed. At 3.9 gr, which is almost at the top of the listed range, my average velocity was 720fps which is lower than the starting load in the manual which is 769fps at 3.6 gr. I'm shooting from a 4'' .357 and manual data used a 4''.38sp. My COL is a bit longer at 1.467'' and listed is 1.445''. I did that because I wanted to crimp in the groove. Would the longer COL cause that much of a lower reading ?? Or maybe shooting from a .357 instead of a .38 Sp?? Either way should I increase my powder until I get in the range? Thanks Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 The 357 case is much longer than the 38sp case, with more volume, so yes, the case does matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Hodgon list their starting load with HP38 and a 158 bullet at 6.2 grains at 1.580 and max load at 6.9 grains for a 158 Hornady XTP, and 3.4 start and 5.0 max for a 158 LSWC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleshot Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 sorry didnt clarify. I'm using a .38sp case just shooting out of a .357 revolver. Also forgot to list my average velocities were: 3.6 gr---676 fps 3.7 gr---680 fps 3.8 gr---687 fps 3.9 gr--720 fps The largest jump was from 3.8 to 3.8 gr so I think I'm close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 sorry didnt clarify. I'm using a .38sp case just shooting out of a .357 revolver. Also forgot to list my average velocities were: 3.6 gr---676 fps 3.7 gr---680 fps 3.8 gr---687 fps 3.9 gr--720 fps The largest jump was from 3.8 to 3.8 gr so I think I'm close. How does it jump from 3.8 to 3.8? Lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 BULLET WEIGHT158 GR. HDY XTP ManufacturerHodgdon PowderHP-38 Bullet Diameter.357" C.O.L.1.455" Starting Load Grains3.8 Velocity (ft/s)661 Pressure12,600 CUP Maximum Load Grains4.3 Velocity (ft/s)779 Pressure15,900 CUP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyOne Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 BULLET WEIGHT158 GR. CAST LSWC ManufacturerHodgdon PowderHP-38 Bullet Diameter.358" C.O.L.1.475" Starting Load Grains3.1 Velocity (ft/s)782 Pressure11,900 CUP Maximum Load Grains3.7 Velocity (ft/s)834 Pressure14,600 CUP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleshot Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 (edited) sorry didnt clarify. I'm using a .38sp case just shooting out of a .357 revolver. Also forgot to list my average velocities were: 3.6 gr---676 fps 3.7 gr---680 fps 3.8 gr---687 fps 3.9 gr--720 fps The largest jump was from 3.8 to 3.8 gr so I think I'm close. How does it jump from 3.8 to 3.8? Lol! Ha...my bad I mean from 3.8 to 3.9 gr I had my largest jump in velocity. My velocity seems low for the amount of powder I'm using and trying to understand why. I did look at the Hodgdon web site for the LSWC load and I'm off even more than the lyman data. Hodgdon --3.7 gr =834 fps My load --3.7 gr =680fps same weight and type bullet and COL is very close to the Hodgdon load Edited January 31, 2016 by doubleshot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 The book is your info guide and safe loads What you actually get is what you get!!!! Every pistol/Revolver is different I have two 627 38/357 revolvers made about 5 years apart They chrono the same loads about 50 fps different (same bbl lengths) just shoot your gun and know what your velocity is a live with it (smiling) If you have to make a power factor for one of the shooting games then try different powders but like you said its a plinking round so as long as, like you said, it's safe, and accurate you've done well enjoy the ride jcc7x7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleshot Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 Cool thanks. Thats pretty much what I was thinking, but since this is all new I guess I was focusing too much on the chrony numbers. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosh75287 Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 If you used exactly the same cases, primers, projectile and overall length as was used by the authors of the manual from which you got the loads, then fired it from a revolver of the same brand and model they used, you STILL wouldn't get their results. But you might get a little bit closer. Differences in cylinder gap, forcing cone dimensions, humidity at the time the powder was loaded, and more others than I could list in an hour all contribute to velocity differences between obtained and published results. Certain powders are also bad about giving erratic results from pistol to pistol. I quit using W231/HP38 in everything, because my results differed so radically from published data. The three powders giving me best results in .38 Special/.357 Magnum are Red Dot, Unique, and Herco. Despite their reputation(s) for burning dirty and metering like cornflakes, they give me accurate, reproducible results, and don't appear terribly sensitive to primer, case, or projectile brand changes. When trying to reproduce published results, if I have low velocities and overall length is close, I try increasing the crimp slightly. Sometimes it helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleshot Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 (edited) Edited February 1, 2016 by doubleshot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleshot Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 (edited) When trying to reproduce published results, if I have low velocities and overall length is close, I try increasing the crimp slightly. Sometimes it helps. thanks, I was thinking of trying this. I think my crimp looks good and I checked for bullet pull and did not see any but I'll try a little more and see what happens. Edited February 1, 2016 by doubleshot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tires2burn Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 HP-38/231 doesn't work for me. Fire ball & smoke. Try Titegroup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absocold Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 I run International (not International Clays, just plain International) for my 38spl plinking loads. Consistent, cheap, easy to find, meters pretty good, not too dirty at low pressure like some powders are. Don't sweat the differences you're getting from what the manual shows unless it's a huge difference that would warrant a detailed investigation. The manuals are just starting points to guide you on a safe beginning point and safe maximums. Once you've got a load up and running, the manual basically goes out the window and you make whatever adjustments are necessary to suit you and the gun. Just mind your warning signs and don't get too far off the beaten path. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pittpa Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 I've been shooting Bullseye matches with a 38 Python for over 20 years. I don't own a chrono and have no idea how fast my bullets go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absocold Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 My plinkers are so slow you don't need hearing protection and you can see the bullets in flight. I've had people come running and hollering thinking I had a squib. Their face when I tell them it's my thirty-eight caliber BB gun, hilarious. And before you ask, I made them for my mom. She's tiny (and not getting any younger) and no can no longer stand getting beat up by full power ammo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted February 10, 2016 Share Posted February 10, 2016 If you check the Lyman book closely, it's putting the test loads into a universal receiver, which has basically a SAAMI minimum barrel/chamber, and no cylinder gap. That is likely the discrepancy in velocity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannparks Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Welcome to the flustration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosh75287 Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 This probably a lot too late, but increasing the crimp on your 3.8/HP-38/158 load might be enough to bump velocity from 687 f/s to over 700 f/s. I'd expect this to be very pleasant to shoot, and reliably exceed minimum PF for most contests, except maybe Bianchi Cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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