Buddy check on some .38 super loads

[waynewal]

Am reloading for .38 super and need some 'over the shoulder' help to make sure I didnt mess up a load.

Gun Clark .38 super with fully supported bbl.

All loads are with new Starline .38 super +p brass, all primers Winchester small Rifle primers.

All brass is new and full lenth resized with a Dillon dies and 550B press,

I will start shooting with the lowest powder load and use a Pact IV Chronograph and watch for signs of pressure. If they appear I will stop and break apart the loaded runs for parts.

1 -Bullet: 160gr .357 Hornaday .357 JTC

Powder: Unique (new) 5.3 gr (starting load) OAL 1.260

2 - Bullet etc same. Powder 5.5 gr

3 - all same, powder to be 5.7 gr

---------------------------------

4 - Bullet sierra 170 gr fmc, .357, Unique 5.4 gr, 1.280 OAL

It appears the buller - when seated - will push the powder down in the case 1/8"

------------------

5 - Bullet: 158gr Lead RN, .357, Unique 5.3 gr OAL 1.275

6 - same except 5.5 gr

Thanks for any input!

Wayne W

[Al Capizzo]

My first concern is the .357 bullets. These may or may not cause pressure problems. As far as I know the standard bullet diameter for Super is .355 or .356. Using jacketed bullets of .357 might not be a good idea. I have no idea how to find out if this is the case though. 170 grains is also a heavier bullet than I've ever heard of anyone using in Super. Might be fine, but its unusual.

I don't know anything about Unique in .38 Super either. Are these book loads? If they are, you ought to be o.k.

Is there a reason you're using these unusual combinations? There are tons of loads on this sight that people have experience with, rather than guessing at maybe, might, probly oughta work loads.

[AlamoShooter]

I would not let that bullet be shot in my guns, It will work ..But! you do not know what it will do in the first presser Spike before the bullet leaves the throat. the Crono may show as normal speed , but the cracking slide may show up after.

I may not know much , but I try to play on the safe side.

[XRe]

You need different bullets. Definitely. The bullets you've listed are for .357 Mag / .38 Special loads. The .38 Super is designed for .355/.356 bullets, as Al says - basically, 9mm bullets.

Is this a compensated or non-compensated gun? Either way, Unique probably isn't the most optimal choice - but the best choices will depend upon the answer to this question

[al503]

First of all, we don't know if his bbl is a .355 or a .356. If it's the latter, then the .357's should work without issue.

Also, doesn't Wil Schueman recommend going at least .001" oversize.

Edited July 15, 2008 by al503

[1911jerry]

1.260 seems a little long, more like a 45acp load. You might want to do a search on 38 super loads and try a few of the established loads.

The following is a pretty good reference guide:

http://www.k8nd.com/ipscload.htm

Remember to work your way up to proper power factor if that is your intention.

Best of luck.

JS

[waynewal]

My first concern is the .357 bullets. These may or may not cause pressure problems. As far as I know the standard bullet diameter for Super is .355 or .356. Using jacketed bullets of .357 might not be a good idea. I have no idea how to find out if this is the case though. 170 grains is also a heavier bullet than I've ever heard of anyone using in Super. Might be fine, but its unusual.

I don't know anything about Unique in .38 Super either. Are these book loads? If they are, you ought to be o.k.

Is there a reason you're using these unusual combinations? There are tons of loads on this sight that people have experience with, rather than guessing at maybe, might, probly oughta work loads.

wow.....355? I thought those were supposed to be too narrow to shoot properly in a 38 super.

But will email Clark and ask them what diameter bullets can be shot from them and specifically mention the .357.

I have put a couploe hundred of the 170 and 160 gr fmc through this gun... kinda remembering i asked Clark before this (15 yrs ago)

Will check, thanks!

Wayne

[waynewal]

You need different bullets. Definitely. The bullets you've listed are for .357 Mag / .38 Special loads. The .38 Super is designed for .355/.356 bullets, as Al says - basically, 9mm bullets.

Is this a compensated or non-compensated gun? Either way, Unique probably isn't the most optimal choice - but the best choices will depend upon the answer to this question

This gun has a compensator. One large port at end of bbbl. The larger bullets were the accepted method of making major back in the lat 80's.

Again, thought the 9mm were too small a dia. for this gun.

thank you,

Wayne

[waynewal]

1.260 seems a little long, more like a 45acp load. You might want to do a search on 38 super loads and try a few of the established loads.

The following is a pretty good reference guide:

http://www.k8nd.com/ipscload.htm

Remember to work your way up to proper power factor if that is your intention.

Best of luck.

JS

Loads published from http://home.columbus.rr.com/jmaass/documents/hl38sup.pdf are loads I was working from. Are these out of date?

Thanks!

Wayne

[waynewal]

1.260 seems a little long, more like a 45acp load. You might want to do a search on 38 super loads and try a few of the established loads.

The following is a pretty good reference guide:

http://www.k8nd.com/ipscload.htm

Remember to work your way up to proper power factor if that is your intention.

Best of luck.

JS

This is where I am getting the loads from! Look in the back for the heavier bullet super loads, this is where I got the data.

Thank you,

Wayne

[waynewal]

Dear Forum readers.

First I appreciate all the input from the experienced shooters and reloaders on the forum. Thank you!

The comments prompted me to call Clark custom Guns and talk with Jim Clark (Jr)

He said he wasnt sure in what way the bbl was cut (button or ?) since the requests varied back then, but said he shoots the heavy bullets, ie, 160 gr Hornaday but didnt remember what powder he uses (Clays ? International?) and said the the.357 size is not a problem with their bbls.

He did say to make sure I was using a full power spring ie, 16 lb (?) if I was going heavy loads, heavy bullets

Got some free advice... His procedure was to put in the new spring, and load one round in the mag., rack the slide to put the round in the chamber and fire. If the slide locks back consistently, the load is fine for that spring, if it doesnt lock back, cut a curl or two off the spring and try again.

so now I have to decide what to do about loading 125gr .355 with 4756 while waiting for heavier springs... Guess I can start with that bullet and 8.0 gr of 4756 and work my way up. Once I get the new springs, can go back and finish up the heavier bullets I have in stock. If they work consistently well, I may just stick with them.

Goal is to make major with the super else min. recoil for faster recovery shots.

Thanks for the help from everyone. My ears are always open for good advice.

Sincerely,

Wayne

Edited July 19, 2008 by waynewal

[waynewal]

1.260 seems a little long, more like a 45acp load. You might want to do a search on 38 super loads and try a few of the established loads.

The following is a pretty good reference guide:

http://www.k8nd.com/ipscload.htm

Remember to work your way up to proper power factor if that is your intention.

Best of luck.

JS

That is where I am getting the loads from! Look in the back for the heavier bullet super loads, that is where I got the data.

Unique "for medium to heavy handgun loads" is right below 7625 in burn rate , a cut flake powder, and and further below HS6,(flattened ball) and even further below Blue dot and AA9, so maybe I should be going with a slower powder based on Layne's numbers for my heavier bullets. Already have 2lbs of unique (new).

So unless the soot rate is too high, I will probably shoot it up.... Am open to other powders...

1.280 seems a bit long, but with the point Sierra FMC functions fine in mags. Will start lower on the powder and probably use 1.275 OAL

Thank you,

Wayne

author bullet brand style gr powder OAL vel PF (notes)

Layne Simpson 160gr Hornady FMJFN 8.4gr HS7 1.280" 1133 181.3 (5, 26)

Layne Simpson 160gr Hornady FMJFN 8.4gr AA7 1.280" 1140 182.4 (5)

Layne Simpson 160gr Hornady FMJFN 7.9gr Blue Dot 1.280" 1138 182.1 (5, 26)

Layne Simpson 160gr Hornady FMJFN 9.7gr AA9 1.280" 1094 175.0 (5)

Layne Simpson 160gr Hornady FMJFN 9.9gr AA9 1.280" 1128 180.5 (6)

Layne Simpson 170gr Sierra FMJRN 8.3gr HS7 1.280" 1109 188.5 (5, 26)

Layne Simpson 170gr Sierra FMJRN 8.2gr AA7 1.280" 1090 185.3 (5)

Layne Simpson 170gr Sierra FMJRN 7.8gr Blue Dot 1.280" 1062 180.5 (5, 26)

Layne Simpson 170gr Sierra FMJRN 9.7gr AA9 1.280" 1094 186.0 (5)

Layne Simpson 180gr Nosler NEFN 8.0gr HS7 1.280" 1039 187.0 (5)

Layne Simpson 180gr Nosler NEFN 7.9gr AA7 1.280" 1044 187.9 (5)

Layne Simpson 180gr Nosler NEFN 7.6gr Blue Dot 1.280" 1031 185.6 (5)

Layne Simpson 180gr Nosler NEFN 9.1gr AA9 1.280" 1012 182.2 (5)

Lead

Layne Simpson 160gr Comp. Spec. LRN 7.0gr WW540* 1.280" 1153 184.5 (5)

Layne Simpson 160gr Comp. Spec. LRN 8.0gr HS7 1.280" 1159 185.4 (5)

Layne Simpson 160gr Comp. Spec. LRN 7.2gr AA7 ? 956 152 (13) MINOR

Pedro Pineda 160gr LRN 8.2gr AA7 1.270" 1125 180.0

Layne Simpson 160gr Comp. Spec. LRN 8.1gr AA7 1.280" 1147 183.5 (5)

Layne Simpson 160gr Comp. Spec. LRN 10.0gr AA9 1.280" 1133 181.3 (5)

Layne Simpson 160gr Comp. Spec. LRN

Edited July 18, 2008 by waynewal