Recent content by at_liberty

Not sure what kind of match your "competitors" are shooting, but in Cowboy the 38's are still loaded to .357 Mag COL, which is an aberration with the bullet sticking out well beyond the crimp groove. This is required by the lever and Lightning rifles' actions.

I think you will find few comrades in loading down 296 to that extent. I follow the advice to use Unique, which to me means that BE-86 is a candidate as well, with Alliant providing data for it, including lead. Using 44 Special data (in mag cases) toward the max end is an option too.

BE-86 is more modern than Unique.

But if you don't cast, and the throats are really off of commonly available bullet sizes, the gun has to change, or like a number have mentioned here, be sold off.

Replacing the cylinder is not "pure nonsense", if you don't cast your own bullets or are not able to buy a bullet to fit. Casting guys want to bring Mohammed to the Mountain, fit the bullet to the gun. Otherwise the gun is WRONG if it won't fit standard size bullets. Reaming cylinders is routine...

That cylinder is out of spec, so I would just get a new one. Not sure how that would play from Germany. I have tried lighter bullets in 44 and in 45 Colt, and at 15 yards they definitely did make a significant difference in POI. Note that some leading at non-magnum velocities is due to bullets...

I stuck some in my barrel, so make sure your load is for jacketed or at least well up on the load range for lead. Seat flush.

You would want to be using a taper crimp die or stick to the XTP's or other with a crimp groove, especially with stouter loads.

Going to lead is a different load and one you won't find supported in common data sources. What might work is a gas check.

With a gun as large as the 627 shooting 38 Special, you should be experimenting with heavier powder charges to clean things up and not get recoil that should be a bother. I don't know HP-38/W231 to be known as a dirty burning powder, but light loads with anything can be sooty.

4.2 HP-38 with 125 gr cast TCFP, BHN 12 shoots to POA from my 3 1/2" Stallion and Lightning. I don't make any distinction for my all steel 38 Snub carry, because I only use purchased SD ammo, invariably Winchester Train and Defend.

I doubt that a credible source exists for using that fast a powder for "full load" 357 Magnum. I find it ideal for low velocity rifle loads for SASS, even then below published minimums for true magnum performance. My regular load is heavier in Bullseye for smaller guns, and my regular load for...

AA#2 is not as readily available, Vihtavuori's are expensive, and HP-38 is not as fast a burner. I was wondering what you were loading with Bullseye as a mainstay.

I use Unique with lead, partly because I am working off an 8 pounder of the stuff. More specialized for your target shooting would be Trailboss, Tin Star, and the like that do a good job of filling the case more like black powder. For jacketed I use Power Pistol, because that is what Hornady...

The PC is for lead. My JM leads badly.