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  #1  
Old 05-04-2018, 03:06 PM
Babysitr Babysitr is offline
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primers for .38 spl and red dot primers for .38 spl and red dot primers for .38 spl and red dot primers for .38 spl and red dot primers for .38 spl and red dot  
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Default primers for .38 spl and red dot

I plan on using up some of the red dot I have for some .38 spl. loads using plated 158 swc. my question is , using 3.4 gr. red dot. would it matter what primer I go with? cci or fed small pistol? ....3.4 gr. drops consistent with my powder measure. thanks for your opinions
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Old 05-04-2018, 03:11 PM
GeoJelly GeoJelly is offline
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Not an expert but reload a lot of .38 Spec - I think any non-magnum small pistol primer is fine. RD is a fast-ish burning powder so I sure wouldn't use magnum primers. Hornady 9th does not list Red Dot for .38S so I can't comment on the 3.4-g. I use Power Pistol and Universal for mine.

Edited to add - you've prolly already done your homework on this but your 3.4-g Red Dot is right on the money for a +P starting load for 158-g bullets per Speer ...

https://www.speer-ammo.com/downloads...cial_P_158.pdf

Last edited by GeoJelly; 05-04-2018 at 06:29 PM.
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  #3  
Old 05-04-2018, 04:06 PM
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DWalt DWalt is offline
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Any brand of SP primers will be perfectly OK. Even SR primers will also work fine. They really will.
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Old 05-04-2018, 06:03 PM
apollo99 apollo99 is offline
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I just loaded a whole bunch of .38 spl. using 158 grain poly coated SWC and 3.4 grains of Red Dot. Like DWalt said any small pistol primer will work. I have even used Small Rifle primers with this load combination in the past with absolutely no problems.
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Old 05-04-2018, 06:25 PM
Babysitr Babysitr is offline
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primers for .38 spl and red dot primers for .38 spl and red dot primers for .38 spl and red dot primers for .38 spl and red dot primers for .38 spl and red dot  
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Thanks guys, guess you can tell I'm new at this! always best to check with experience!
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Old 05-04-2018, 07:48 PM
Qc Pistolero Qc Pistolero is offline
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Red Dot is an easily ignited powder;so no need for a magnum primer here.
And being an ''old''powder,Red Dot is not as popular as it once was...but still a darn good one.I think that it is underestimated.
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  #7  
Old 05-05-2018, 12:23 AM
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Nevada Ed Nevada Ed is offline
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That amount of Red Dot in my 686 6" with a 38 case and a lead 158grbullet..........
does 754fps, which matches factory standard target spec's.

It is not even close to a +p loading.
Good shooting.
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Old 05-05-2018, 10:01 AM
Babysitr Babysitr is offline
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Thanks Ed, that's what I wanted to hear!
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Old 05-05-2018, 11:10 AM
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Eddie Southgate Eddie Southgate is offline
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No
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Last edited by Eddie Southgate; 05-05-2018 at 11:12 AM.
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  #10  
Old 05-06-2018, 07:14 PM
gehlsurf gehlsurf is offline
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If your loading Red Dot and 38 Spl cases, for poops and giggles, you can load 000 buck for a gallery/garage load. It's not impressive, lol, but alot of fun for cheap quiet plinking.
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Old 05-07-2018, 09:19 AM
cowboy4evr cowboy4evr is offline
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Yes, any small pistol or small rifle primer will be fine , no magnum primers necessary . One nice thing about " Red Dot " powder ? It's a pretty bulky powder so a double charge would be easily noticed . I always have a couple of bottles on hand . Regards, Paul
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Old 05-07-2018, 09:31 AM
just plain joe just plain joe is online now
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I'm not an SME nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, but that load is GTG. I've used that combination with CCI, Federal, Winchester, and Seiler & Bellot primers with no problems.

The only caveat is to "eye-ball" each loaded case prior to seating to minimize the chance of a "double-charge" given the low density of Red Dot. As an aside, with the low velocity attendant to that combination, I have experienced minimal "leading".

HPH

JPJ
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