subsonic Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 I loaded some of my first .38 Short Colts last night. I'm being conservative and using starting 9mm data with similar weight bullets until I get a feel for how this cartridge responds. The first thing I noticed is that the bullet profiles in .357/.358 are shaped to be seated deeper than .355/.356 designs since they seem to have been designed for longer cases. Obviously this will raise pressures if they are seated to the crimp groove or ogive. Is there a specific place I can go to see other peoples loads and results? It looks like a lot of the popular loads use heavy bullets that there is no 9mm data for to begin with. Why are the heavy bullets so popular? Sure would be nice if a powder company developed some modern .38SC high pressure data for us... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revoman Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Do a search on 38 short colt lots of information out there. What are you trying to achieve? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonic Posted November 28, 2015 Author Share Posted November 28, 2015 (edited) Minor power factor Smooth loads Low cost - I have 16lb 700X powder I'd like to use Acceptable accuracy for USPSA Edited November 28, 2015 by subsonic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revoman Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Most bullets people use do not have a crimp or canulare for the crimp. The 160 coated bullets are a popular bullet due to you do not have to push as hard to make minor. I have never used 700x so I could not give you any type of load for that. What I use is Vittavoury 320 at 3.2 grains seated at 1.165. Makes about 132 pf. Each revolver will be different and make sure you crono each load and look for signs of pressure Flattened primers hard extraction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revoman Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Just to add I would probably look for slow powders with the larger bullets. I did a quick search and I don't think 700x will work in 38 short colt as it is too fast. Again a search on 38 short colt in the reloading forum will give you lots of information and loads that are used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 160 gr Bayou COL 1.175 I use TightGroup and Clays so no help with 700x I believe the Lyman cast book has some info on 9mm 158gr loads the 9mm and 38SC have basically the same case capacity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toolguy Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 The 700x is a good pistol powder for target loads. I don't see why it wouldn't work. Lyman gives 9mm 147gr. bullet with 2.7 of 700x at 803 FPS and 26.700 PSI as a starting load up to 3.3 gr. at 921 FPS and 32,200 PSI. You are looking for around 825 FPS with a 160 gr. I would start at 2.7 or 2.8 and go from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsg Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 I have just started down the 38 Short Colt path. I have been testing Titegroup, Bullseye, and HP-38 with 158 Extreme and 160 BBI bullets. I have a thread on page 2 or 3 of the 9mm/38 reloading section with my previous data and just did some more testing so I will update my thread today or tomorrow with my most recent outcomes. The short answer from my data is 4.2 of HP-38 under a 160 BBI made a great minor load for me in a brand new 5" 627. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ty Hamby Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 700x will work well in Short Colts. The only item to watch is super light charges tend to bridge. When I load 700x down in the sub-2.9 grain weights the throw became erratic using the small bar. YMMV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonic Posted December 2, 2015 Author Share Posted December 2, 2015 I load on an RCBS Pro2000 and one thing it does very well is meter 700x as low as I want. And the APS strips are nice if you like CCI primers because you can buy them loaded for only pennies more. It pretty much sucks otherwise. I'm thinkin the 2.7gr and work up plan with 160gr BBI is the direction I'm heading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregg K Posted December 2, 2015 Share Posted December 2, 2015 I'm thinkin the 2.7gr and work up plan with 160gr BBI is the direction I'm heading. Be careful with the COL on the Short Colts. With that 160 you will want to start out at a 1.200" COL and work your way down a little at a time if you want it shorter. I don't go below 1.150" with a 160 of that profile. In some loads I have seen that by going just .050" shorter that the velocity went up 75fps. Sometimes a small change will make a big difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AultGM Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 Been loading .38 Short Colt for several years, using 2.6g of 700x and Bayou 160's. PF is consistent at 128, accuracy is superb, you will like that recipe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamboo Posted December 3, 2015 Share Posted December 3, 2015 AultGM, what is your OAL with the 700x/160gr Bayous? I have a bunch of 700x and would be interested in trying it in the 38 short colt. I've been using Clay Dot primarily and that works well, but I've been careful to use about a 1.190 -1.200" OAL as it can get spikey if you seat deeper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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