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