hunt_fish Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Hi All, I am looking to load some 38 SuperComp rounds at a low power factor for speed steel. Up til now I have been using my 165PF IPSC Open loads! I have an STI Open gun, with a 3 port comp, and want a load that will make lots of gas to work the comp but want less recoil than my 165PF Open load. I have a recoilmaster so lighter loads should work, can reshape a different firing pin stop to help with slide speed if need be. My question is will I need to change powder and/or projectiles to load it lower, or will less VV N340 do? How empty can I fill the case and be safe? Cheers, Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH45 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 When I ran minor loads through my .38 Supercomp, I was running about 4 grains of straight Clays, behind a Zero 125 grain jhp. I quit running minor loads through that gun because it changed the way the gasses came out of the comp. and screwed up the lens on my scope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigpops Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Try some 115's with your normal load, or a little reduced. That will do the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Capizzo Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I shot 5.2 grains HP-38 with a 125 gr bullet, or 4.0 to 4.6 grains (depends on what your gun cycles with) with a 124 FMJ in a NON-comped gun. Both were real nice loads for steel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gm iprod Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 4.5gr Titegroup and a 115gr Zero Conical JHP. Perfect for steel. If the gun will stand the lower velocity drop back to 4.3gr. But be aware the comp will not work 100% at that low a load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XRe Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 There's some threads on the forum about reduced power steel loads - something like 7.5gr of 4756 with any bullet weight is interesting. Still some gas to work the comp, but basically no recoil. Almost feels like the gun didn't even go off... I also shot a load with Alliant 2400 once - it was something silly, like 12gr... but the powder is so slow that the bullet was only going, like, 1180 fps... Loud as hell. Soft as hell. But, man, was it dirty.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 My open load in 9major was a 124gr bullet over 7.4gr of N350. For steel, I dropped in a 115gr bullet instead and took 1.0 gr out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RH45 Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 There's some threads on the forum about reduced power steel loads - something like 7.5gr of 4756 with any bullet weight is interesting. Still some gas to work the comp, but basically no recoil. Almost feels like the gun didn't even go off... I also shot a load with Alliant 2400 once - it was something silly, like 12gr... but the powder is so slow that the bullet was only going, like, 1180 fps... Loud as hell. Soft as hell. But, man, was it dirty.... I tried some 4756 in my .38 Supercomp, and still use it as a backup powder for major, but, when I downloaded it for a minor load, my brass came out looking like it had too much pressure. Made no sense to me at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 These are the reduced loads that I found worked good for me as far as feel and accuracy with an old single stack .38 super ipsc open gun with a cone two chamber comp and proper re-springing: 8.0-8.5gr WW540 (now HS6) w/115 MG 115JHP or 115 Win FMJHB - 8.5gr is about 145pf 5.5-5.7gr WW231 w/115 MG 115JHP or 115 Win FMJHB - 5.5gr is about 126pf (real mouse fart load) 6.5gr AA#5 w/115 MG 115JHP or 115 Win FMJHB or 122-135gr lead bullet - 6.5g w/135gr lead is about 145pf I also had good luck with 4.5 - 5.0 gr WW452AA and light bullets, but that powder is no longer available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Gaines Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 I see alot of people just use their normal power factor powder load, and just using a lighter bullet. Kinda just keeping it simple/stupid. Unless you are just going to shoot steel only and you are looking for that perfect load. You could shoot some 115's or maybe even some 95gr bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-XX- Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 I have been running 5.5 grains of tight group or WST behind a MG 115 jhp, major load is same bullet. I have two powder measures and run one of these powders for 45 and 40 so I just change the powder measure out. I'm kind of anal about cleaning powder measures when I change powders so I don't have to go through that this way. The WST is softer. Really need a 7 lb spring for it, but it is so clean it makes it worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 I see alot of people just use their normal power factor powder load, and just using a lighter bullet. Kinda just keeping it simple/stupid. Unless you are just going to shoot steel only and you are looking for that perfect load. You could shoot some 115's or maybe even some 95gr bullets. My goal was to be able to shoot the gun as is - no spring change. Mission accomplished. btw - love 95's for sub-minor mousefart loads but they are a PITA to get right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunt_fish Posted February 13, 2012 Author Share Posted February 13, 2012 Thanks all for your input. Am keen to try the 115's and maybe back the powder off a bit. Will let you know how I get on once I get around to doing it! Cheers, Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trodrig Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 I've used 115's with 5.0gr of N320 with good results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigstick0000 Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 I have used 115s with 7625 loaded way way down. Loaded them down to the point that the gun would not cycle. Then worked it back up to get the gun to run reliable. Awesome load, works great on steel. Have tried the 95s also, work great on the outer limits. Hits the back plates really fast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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