bball97

Great, thanks for the info. I was thinking about trying some 158 gr. round nose flat point lead bullets from S&S Castings. I just called him, and he said they have plenty.

Very interesting! I guess this would be information that would also help one choose which bullet to use to accomplish a particular purpose. Thank you all. This is truly a thinking man's sport.

HMMM, OK there then, so is that information that I need to be concerned with?

In the Lyman reloading handbook, right beneath the picture of the bullet, it says BC: .185 & SD: .097 What do the BC & SD stand for?

I am loading these just for target practice. The 4.9, 5.0 & 5.1 Gr. of 231 seemed to be the most accurate, and didn't spank very much at all. This was the first time I fired the M&P 340 since I put on the new Eagle Secret Service Ebony grips. Sweet feel! This gun is double action only and I was shooting low for the most part. As I got closer to the max load of 5.1 my groupings went from 6-8 inches down to 2-4 inches at 7 yards. After I got finished testing all the .38 rounds, my buddy came in and let me shoot his 40 cal Glock. I fired 6 out of 12 in the bullseye. Uh-oh, could that be my next obsession? Reload to save money, yeah right! Thank the Lord for a good job!

About which reloader to get. I just started, and my father and I split the cost of a Dillon 550B from Brian Enos. I love it. I can't believe how accurate and consistent the powder charges are! There are a couple of multi part videos on u-tube that demonstrate the 550 set-up, and reloading process. Quite impressive demonstration. I am glad that Dad called Brian Enos and ordered from him. I made a second order of 9mm dies and other accessories and Brian called me back in person after I left a message. He set me straight on a couple of things that I was going to order incorrectly. Felt like I was talking to a celebrity. HA. Great service, and speedy delivery. I highly recommend going through Brian Enos for anything that he carries. BTW, the Speer reloading manual is back ordered till June, so you might want to get the Lyman manual in the meantime.

Most gun shops around here are closed on Mondays. I lucked out the other day and stopped in one on Tuesday morning. The lady that I asked about primers said that a truck had just gotten there, and if I wanted to wait, she'd find out if there were any on the truck. Yes there were, and I bought two boxes before the 1 box per customer limit was imposed.. I wonder if you could find out when the trucks usually come and time your visit like that.

Good info, I am shooting a Ruger Security Six 357, & a S&W M&P 340 357 J frame. (pocket cannon/palm smacker!)

I had to smile being 51 and now needing reading glasses just to reload! Oh for the body of a teenager, though I wouldn't trade the wisdom of older age.

Sand bags it is! Thank you all!

I am ready to head to the range to test my first batch of 38 special various loads for accuracy. What is the best way to hold steady and stay consistent? Pistol rest? If so, what is a good brand to get?

Thank you. Here is a dumb question: What does OAL mean? I have seen it several times now.

I just got my RL550B set up and have started reloading 38 Special with 231 powder, Ranier 125 Flat nose Plated bullets. I have started with the minimum powder charge of 3.9 grains recommended in the Lyman handbook. What weight increments would you recommend that I increase the charge by as I work up to a more powerful load?