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  #1  
Old 06-18-2018, 01:37 PM
Babysitr Babysitr is offline
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Default First time loader results .38spl

Just started loading with help from this forum. my first attempt was 3.2 gr Red Dot 158gr. laser cast RNFP CCI 500...They shot very accurate, smoky, some leading in the M28 forcing cone,and felt more like +P. Next attempt will be 3.9 gr. UNIQUE, all else same. What changes do you think I will notice? I'm using these powers because I have them from scattergun days. Might try something else. I'm having a blast with this.Any suggestions?
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Old 06-18-2018, 01:51 PM
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I predict you'll like the Unique rounds better. Unique is famous for not metering the greatest, but I'm guessing it will meter better than Red Dot because, from what I have seen, the "dot" powders are made up of such large flakes.
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Old 06-18-2018, 01:53 PM
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In my Model 28 , I have found 5 grains of Unique with a 158 swc to be exceedingly accurate and still mild to boot!

Randy
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Old 06-18-2018, 02:01 PM
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Those loads of yours are "Basement loads" and very safe.
You should get better results as you increase the powder in following test.

With a little more Red Dot in my 686 6" revolver with your data
I got a factory 753fps.
A long ways from a full load, 890fps plus loading, in my weapon.

Most shotgun powders will work in the 38 case......
Have fun.
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Old 06-18-2018, 09:24 PM
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3.2 grs. Red Dot or 3.0 grs. Bullseye with a 158 gr. bullet are nice, accurate loads in all my 38 K frame revolvers. Don't know why it would feel like a 38 +P, unless it's a light weight 38 revolver. 2.8 grs. Bullseye and a Hollow Base Wadcutter is the "berry's" in my guns!! :-)
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Old 06-18-2018, 10:18 PM
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Default Something didn't sound right...

First, lube in groove bulllets - They are notoriously smoky.

Red Dot smoky? I've used new Red Dot and it's very clean, but I found out that it is much cleaner than the old formula.

Anyway, I LIKE Red Dot. One time I was shooting some lube-in-groove at our indoor range that doesn't have the 'best' ventilation and I couldn't believe the smoke that filled up the place. There were groans all down the firing line. I had to wait for the smoke to clear. I only shot those outdoors from then on.

Give new Red Dot a try.

PS. Powders used way below max load tend to be smoky and not burn as well as when are allowed to build some pressure chamber.. Some powders don't like being reduced much at all, like H110, while a powder like 2400 is much more amenable to being reduced.
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Last edited by rwsmith; 06-19-2018 at 06:30 AM.
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Old 06-19-2018, 06:20 AM
Forrest r Forrest r is offline
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You need to look around for a different bullet source. Those bullets are wat too hard for what you're doing. They are 24bhn and with your 16,000+/-psi load. You will get leading at the start of the bbl (forcing cone and in front of it) because the bullet is having a hard time obturating/expanding/bumping up to seal the bbl.

I use 24bhn bullets in a 308w for my 2600fps+ (2679fps) with a 35,000+psi load.

Coated bullets don't smoke & the firearm stays cleaner for longer/extended range sessions.

What my 686 looks like after a 200 round range session with light 38spl plinking loads.


6-shot groups @ 50ft with the 38spl plinking/686 pictured above. The bullets are 8/9bhn and coated.
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Old 06-19-2018, 06:52 AM
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I would "buck" the trend and recommend you pick up a pound of HP-38, and a box of 158 grain plated Berry's to try. You'll like the accuracy and will LOVE how clean your gun and brass will be after firing. Just my 2 cents. If you've never used plated Berry's bullets before, ignore most of what you hear about them being fragile. Treat them like jacketed, crimp away, and stay below 1200 fps (which is never a big problem).
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Old 06-20-2018, 09:06 PM
Moe Mentum Moe Mentum is offline
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I use 3.0 grains of Red Dot in my K-38. Nice target load, the smoke comes from the lube on the lead bullet, try using a plated bullet next time. I have also used Unique, W231, HP38, Power Pistol and now BE 86, all with good results. My lead bullets are around 12-18 BHN.

Last edited by Moe Mentum; 06-20-2018 at 09:09 PM.
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Old 06-21-2018, 09:01 AM
WR Moore WR Moore is offline
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A Berry 158 gr target hollow point, 4.5 gr of Unique and anybody's primer does factory duplication in a 4 inch barrel over my chronograph. 4.8 gr is edging toward +P but isn't there yet. 5.8 of Power Pistol is much closer-by the load tables. The chronograph says I'm beating Federal factory +P. OAL is 1.400 inches.

Last edited by WR Moore; 06-21-2018 at 06:01 PM.
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Old 06-21-2018, 11:54 AM
Eddietruett Eddietruett is offline
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I’ll chime in and also suggest plated (have had great results with Berry’s) or HyTek Coated cast (great results with Summers, SNS, and Missouri). Many others out there of course but that’s the ones I’ve used. Much cleaner loading and shooting. Combinations are endless. I’ve loaded both Plated and Coated from 700fps to 1300fps with no problems. One piece of advice. Be careful with light loads with Plated. They can give squibs due to the extra friction from the plating. My first run of plated 158gr THP were loaded too light and had a few that didn’t make it out of a 6” Barrel. Upped the powder a little and all worked great
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Old 06-22-2018, 08:05 PM
Qc Pistolero Qc Pistolero is offline
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Leading in forcing cone means the bullet size is not sealing gasses behind.I'm all with Forrest when he says that too hard a bullet can cause leading.In your case,I'd say too hard combined with a light charge.Bullet being hard combined with low pressure pushing behind it didn't upset the bullet so as to seal the gap meaning hot gasses are blowing by and eroding lead.
Your charge is light;not in the +P area.I'd say use a softer bullet and you should solve the leading problem.
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