Verifying Charges in Mystery reloads

65kaiser

65kaiser

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Recently I was given several hundred rounds of reloaded 38 +p. I am very hesitant to just shoot these. These were purchased at a show by a supposed reputable reloader. Could I verify weather a load is too hot or to light by weighing each cartridge? If I weigh each one and come up with some that are heavier or lighter than I would discard them. I hate to just save them for the brass for sometime in the future when I reload. I would hate even more to have a catastrophy!! Your thoughts....
 
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65kaiser said:
Recently I was given several hundred rounds of reloaded 38 +p. I am very hesitant to just shoot these. These were purchased at a show by a supposed reputable reloader. Could I verify weather a load is too hot or to light by weighing each cartridge? If I weigh each one and come up with some that are heavier or lighter than I would discard them. I hate to just save them for the brass for sometime in the future when I reload. I would hate even more to have a catastrophy!! Your thoughts....
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Without knowing 100% what powder was used - weighing would only tell you the charge variation - not whether they are too hot or not - IMO.
You should also check the OAL to make sure the seating depth is not too deep.
 
The weighing of the cartridge, I don't believe, will tell you much. The weight of the bullet itself will vary considerably.
Sometimes this variable would more than span any difference in power grains. The, for accuracy reloaders, will weigh all their bullets and set a "tolerance" for these and kick out all that are "out of tolerance". It is seldom that you will buy a box of 500 bullets that all will weigh say 158 grains exactly. They vary. This would "cloud" your theory of checking powder charge weight IMHO.

regards
Bill
 
There is way too much variation in the weight of the bullet and case. I don't think weighing would be of much assistance. You might try firing a couple in a heavy 357 to test them. If you can find out who the reloader was, you could contact them to see what powder and weight they used. You should also be able to get an idea as to their level of reloading knowledge and safety.
 
65kaiser said:
These were purchased at a show by a supposed reputable reloader. ....
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Assuming you meant FROM a supposedly reptutable handloader.....that phrase has frequently been mentioned just before a tale about a destroyed firearm. Kinda like "hold my beer and watch this!" Even if you could get an accurate weight on the powder charge, it doesn't tell you what powder was used.

It'll cost you about $15 for an intertial bullet puller. Pull and save the bullets & primed cases, dump the powder & burn it. When you start reloading, use the components with YOUR powder charge.
 
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The only way to never have a gun accident is by first realizing it can happen to you, then by ALWAYS following certain rules and protocol. And in this instance, the only answer there is for you, is to pull the bullets and dump the powder.
 
Weighing a 38 special will tell you nothing. A typical charge of powder could be lets say 3 to 5 grains. As mentioned the variance in bullet and brass can be that much or more.

So either pull them, dispose of them at a Haz mat site or give them to a someone who wants the components.

How much is your gun (not to mention your fingers and eyesight) worth???
 
Considering they are supposed to be .38 Special +P loads I would fire them in a .357 Magnum revolver. Even if they are a little hot for a 38 they will do no harm to a .357 Magnum.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
Considering they are supposed to be .38 Special +P loads I would fire them in a .357 Magnum revolver. Even if they are a little hot for a 38 they will do no harm to a .357 Magnum.
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Assuming they are loaded correctly.....

To the OP, my advice would be to keep these "mystery reloads" far away from your guns.
 
The OP said they were loaded by a "reputable" reloader who sells commercially. In that case I would fire them but only in a .357 Magnum to be safe...
 
"Reputable" in quotes is the key part. A second hand endorsement of an unknown seller's reloads. I do not consider anything from a gun show to be commercial. I even inspect ammunition in factory boxes to make sure no one has replaced the factory rounds with reloads. I have seen some scary things at gun show ammo tables and I don't look very hard at them either.
 
To each his own and I can't disagree with you. I would not fire the ammo if it were .357 Magnum but I would fire the 38s in a Magnum.
 
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A primary rule of mine is to never use reloads put together by someone else. You have absolutely NO control over the appropriateness of the loads or their quality. I'd pull the bullets and dump the powder. Better safe than sorry.

John
 
Considering your location, a burial at sea seems most prudent to me.
Better safe than sorry!

Good shooting.
 
Homie said:
Considering your location, a burial at sea seems most prudent to me.
Better safe than sorry!

Good shooting.
Click to expand...

Whats the purpose of your statement?? I requested opinions so I could make an educated decision as I am not a reloader. Your statement is useless!!!
 
Thank-you very much to all that have given me helpful advice. These were exactly the answers i was looking for. Better to avoid a tragedy. I'll just pull the bullets and save the brass and lead.
 
Questionable reloads?, not worth taking a chance with hands or eyes. Break them down for the brass and bullets, dump the powder. Reload with your powder. Have been given any number of cartridges both rifle and revolver and always break them down for the brass and bullets. Frank
 
I would shoot them in a .357 Mag.

However, I would probably break one down and see what the powder looks like and how much of it there is. I would see if it's a flake powder or ball powder. If it's ball powder, it probably isn't any worse than any other load on a proguessive. :)
 
I personally would NEVER accept reloads from any one. I've been reloading my own for about 40 years, and trust only my own.

That many rounds would take you a long time to pull. If you are really intent on using them, which I am advising against, pull 2 or three bullets (assuming you have a bullet puller) and weigh the powder contents. If it is consistent from round to round, then I'd fire it in a 357. There could be identifying characteristics like Red flakes or Blue flakes which might help identify the powder used.
 
I just recenlty was given 100 .357 cases loaded with Unique and 158 grain lead semi-wadcutters.

Loaded by a competent friend who no longer shoots that caliber.

They were HOT in my M28.

I never shoot anybody else's reloads. Never. But I thought I'd try his. Now I will NEVER, NEVER shoot anybody's reloads.
 
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