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Old 07-15-2017, 12:33 PM
Stopsign32v Stopsign32v is offline
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Shot my first 38 special reloads. Newbie, how did I do? Shot my first 38 special reloads. Newbie, how did I do? Shot my first 38 special reloads. Newbie, how did I do? Shot my first 38 special reloads. Newbie, how did I do? Shot my first 38 special reloads. Newbie, how did I do?  
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Default Shot my first 38 special reloads. Newbie, how did I do?

I was mainly testing new guns I had never shot so I didn't think of accuracy testing for the loads but they all seemed accurate, well as accurate as I could allow. I'm not that great with revolvers (yet hopefully).

Anyways my loadings were these.

3.8 TiteGroup was by far my favorite. Felt like regular 38 special or possibly light +P recoil but was not flashy and very clean burning. Plus took the least amount of powder.

4.0 Win 231 felt like a powder puff load. VERY light recoil and very pleasant to shoot out of an airweight.

4.3 Win 231 felt about like the 3.8 TiteGroup but the 4.3 231 was very flashy with a fireball out of my airweight sometimes. Felt like light +P loading.

5.0 CFE......Man this was a kicking damn loading. Definitely +P power it felt.


The best thing is I didn't seem to have any problems and I think my first reloading was a success! Not sure where to go from here though other than doing a lot more loads. I'm out of ammo now. Time to make more.
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Old 07-15-2017, 12:45 PM
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My +P are 5.0gr of Unique under a 158gr hard cast SWC

For paper targets i go mostly with 2.3gr of Clays but also load 2.8gr of Bullseye,3.0gr of Red Dot or 3.3 of Titegroup.
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Old 07-15-2017, 02:07 PM
cadmike cadmike is offline
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Op, what bullets were you using?
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Old 07-15-2017, 02:21 PM
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From my perspective, your 231 loads sound a bit heavy. What bullet wew you using over the 231? Granted, I shoot target velocity loads, but I generally use 3.1gr 231 under a 150gr BNWC, and 3.5gr 231 under a 160gr SWC. Just make sure that you stay within the parameters of your reloading manual!
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Old 07-15-2017, 02:31 PM
HKSmith HKSmith is offline
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Shot my first 38 special reloads. Newbie, how did I do?  
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I think you did great, and that's coming from someone who's been loading .38 Special since 1964. You do need to tell us what weight and type of bullet you're using. You should also specify the gun, since you don't want to shoot +P loads in a Model 1899!

I've shot many thousands of 158 grain LSWCs over 4.3 grains of HP-38 (W231), but I back that off to 3.4 grains for my 1899 and 1902 revolvers.
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Old 07-15-2017, 03:17 PM
Stopsign32v Stopsign32v is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadmike View Post
Op, what bullets were you using?
Xtreme copper plated 158gr

38- 158 RNFP
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Old 07-15-2017, 03:19 PM
Stopsign32v Stopsign32v is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HKSmith View Post
I think you did great, and that's coming from someone who's been loading .38 Special since 1964. You do need to tell us what weight and type of bullet you're using. You should also specify the gun, since you don't want to shoot +P loads in a Model 1899!

I've shot many thousands of 158 grain LSWCs over 4.3 grains of HP-38 (W231), but I back that off to 3.4 grains for my 1899 and 1902 revolvers.
Its a brand new J frame and a 686.
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Old 07-15-2017, 04:40 PM
Qc Pistolero Qc Pistolero is offline
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3.8 Titegroup is one of my go to regular .38 spl load.Every book says it is not a +P but at the upper limit of regular pressure .38 Spl.I've chronoed it in 2 guns and they both averaged at around 900FPS(6 1/2'' Blackhawk @ 903fps and 6'' Python @ 898fps).I top it with a cast 154gr SWC(old NEI aluminium mould).
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Old 07-15-2017, 04:53 PM
Wee Hooker Wee Hooker is offline
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Glad you are having fun with it.
That said, it sounds like more than a couple of your loads are on the warm /top end of Hodgedon's recommended scale. I'd back em off a couple of tenths and retest. Chances are you won't lose anything but recoil while gaining some margin of safety.

Guessing you know this but it's worth repeating.
Convention says that you should use lead data for plated bullets, and start in the middle of that data. Then and work up while watching for pressure signs.
Have fun but be safe. Having a snubbie come apart in your hand is NOT fun. Been there-Done that.
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Old 07-15-2017, 04:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StakeOut View Post
My +P are 5.0gr of Unique under a 158gr hard cast SWC

For paper targets i go mostly with 2.3gr of Clays but also load 2.8gr of Bullseye,3.0gr of Red Dot or 3.3 of Titegroup.
I use the same load for +P .38spl,Just about perfect for a J Frame.
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Old 07-16-2017, 05:13 AM
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OP, where did you get your load data? You said 5.0gr CFE Pistol is a +P load but according to Hodgdon it's not even the max charge in a standard pressure .38 Special with that bullet.
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Old 07-16-2017, 01:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD View Post
OP, where did you get your load data? You said 5.0gr CFE Pistol is a +P load but according to Hodgdon it's not even the max charge in a standard pressure .38 Special with that bullet.
Hi ARCH

Perhaps check the Hodgdon website again?. Plus they do not test a plated bullet??

Their max load for a 38 special Hornady XTP is 5.0 grains CFE

Max load for a +P is 5.4 gr.

Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading
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Old 07-18-2017, 05:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rule3 View Post
Hi ARCH

Perhaps check the Hodgdon website again?. Plus they do not test a plated bullet??

Their max load for a 38 special Hornady XTP is 5.0 grains CFE

Max load for a +P is 5.4 gr.

Set your sights on pistol reloading data | Hodgdon Reloading
Hey buddy, how you been... I thought you were supposed to use cast bullet data or middle jacketed bullet data with plated bullets. The OP said he is loading plated bullets and that data you pointed to is for jacketed XTP bullets. Am I wrong about what data should be used with plated bullets?
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Old 07-18-2017, 09:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD View Post
Hey buddy, how you been... I thought you were supposed to use cast bullet data or middle jacketed bullet data with plated bullets. The OP said he is loading plated bullets and that data you pointed to is for jacketed XTP bullets. Am I wrong about what data should be used with plated bullets?
I am good how are you?

Yes, you are correct about load data for plated bullets

(mid range jacketed VELOCITY)

You wrote "that" bullet ?which is not listed (plated)

Hodgdon lists two LEAD bullets

the data for those is 4.8gr to 5.3 gr CFEP

other is 4.4g to 5.0 gr CFEP

The OP used 5.0 gr

The max for a +P JHP XTP is 5.4 gr with no start data.

I see no problem with his load and no way it will exceed 1200 fps.

Load Info

Our Copper Plated Bullets can be run at mid-range jacketed velocities or higher end lead velocities. We recommend keeping velocities to less than 1500 FPS (Feet Per Second) and using only a light taper crimp
Any velocities over 1200 FPS we recommend either our Heavy Plate Concave Base or Hollow Point products for superior accuracy. We recommend keeping velocities to less than 1500 FPS (Feet Per Second) and using only a light taper crimp
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Old 07-18-2017, 11:36 AM
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Welcome to the wonderful world of reloading 38 Special! Great cartridge - accurate and solid round.

I prefer Power Pistol 158 gr SWC loadings at +P levels (Speer data) since I use them in Ruger Blackhawk.

In your Airweight, 4.0 grs W231 and 158 gr LSWC is a super load. Bump it up to 4.5 grs W231 with same bullet and you get a real nice moderate +P loading with good accuracy.

Enjoy the hobby, many of us have been reloading this cartridge longer than most are old around here.
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Old 07-18-2017, 11:40 AM
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One thing I noticed about the Hodgdon data, is that their OAL
seems to be on the "Short side" compared to other manuals.

They have the 158 jacket at 1.455" while the Lyman has their
OAL set at 1.480".

I just set the jacket bullet at the cannelure if they have one and
call it good.
Most 38 jacket bullets come with a "Can".

Carry on.
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