mikeinctown Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 I'm looking for a suitable minor load for 135gn Blue Bullets using HP38. Based on my searches, I should be looking at around 3.8 if I'm loading a little longer, or obviously less if I'm loading shorter. These will mostly be getting shot out of a CZ SP-01 or a well worn SP-01 shadow target. The powders I have available on my shelf right now are Unique, Bullseye, BE86, and HP38. I'd rather not go buy yet another powder if I don't have to, but pretty much everything except Clays is in stock locally right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IGOTGLOCKED Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 Unfortunately I am not in a position to advise as as to the details of your request due to being fairly new to reloading. However what I have learned from this community is begin with a charge on the light side, ladder your loads up and chrono them as you go. I resisted for a long time and pretty much just making an educated guess not wanting to spend the $100 for a chrono! I have now learned after buying and using one how much time and frustration I could have saved myself by doing so... Cheers from IGG! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oteroman Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 What he said! 3.8 will get you there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDescribe Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 For HP-38, 3.7 - 4.0, depending on how long you're loading it. For Bullseye 3.5 - 3.8, depending on how long you're loading it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Watson Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 I am at present loading 3.8 gr HP38 with a 135 gr BBI coated 9mm. That is more than I need to make Minor in a 5" and may drop back to 3.6 next lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDescribe Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 Much like 147gr bullets, you may find that you need to go higher than the minimum safe standard PF 130-133 that most people look for. Assuming you have a chrono, I would recommend you test up to a PF of 138. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brucenterry Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 Mike, I just went thru this exercise w/ an SP-01. My barrel my be slower down here in Cincy vs. Cleveland (lol), but it required 4.0g of HP38 to get good groupings. I've since switched to 3.8g to VV N320 (just a tad hotter) because I feel it meters more accurately. Like IDescribe indicated, target a higher PF, CZ's like faster rounds to be accurate. My most accurate load has a 137PF at 1.13 OAL behind 135g SNS bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeinctown Posted November 30, 2016 Author Share Posted November 30, 2016 17 hours ago, Brucenterry said: Mike, I just went thru this exercise w/ an SP-01. My barrel my be slower down here in Cincy vs. Cleveland (lol), but it required 4.0g of HP38 to get good groupings. I've since switched to 3.8g to VV N320 (just a tad hotter) because I feel it meters more accurately. Like IDescribe indicated, target a higher PF, CZ's like faster rounds to be accurate. My most accurate load has a 137PF at 1.13 OAL behind 135g SNS bullets. Thanks for the heads up. I think my local place may have N320 on the shelf. I know they got tons of titegroup, but every reloading manual I've read pretty much showed the HP38 being a universally liked powder for 380 and 9mm. In the Shadow, I have an 11 pound return spring. Did you notice that you had to go with a stiffer spring or were you able to keep a lower weight spring in there? (if you use a different than stock spring?) I don't have spares at the moment and would probably need to order a few spares for testing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brucenterry Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 I'm running the 11# spring as well. I've installed all Cajun production legal parts including that spring. Nothing wrong w/ HP38 (W231 same powder), I only started w/ it because I'm new to reloading and folks recommended it as a good universal powder and it would be hard to double charge based on volume required. I only switched because I heard such good things about N320 and ran across it locally (no hazmat fee) so I gave it a try. I do like how N320 meters on my Dillon 550 sq. deal! Once you work up some loads, test for velocity vs. accuracy. I think you'll find that IDescribe was right on the money. You'll probably get the best accuracy ~137ish PF. You can go lighter, but I don't know that you'll really be able to tell a difference in felt recoil so why not be as accurate as possible. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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