I use 4.7 grains of HP-38 or WW231 with the Berrys or Rainier 158 gr. round nose/flat point for the .38 Special with a taper crimp. It works very well. It seems to be a mild load, but not a weenie load.
I don't care what Berrys and Rainier say, do NOT use lead bullet data for their bullets! Instead, use low end jacketed bullet data. Because they are plated they have a much higher coefficient of friction than a lubricated cast bullet. I know because in cold weather I found I could stick a bullet AT WILL in my 5" S&W 627 using cast bullet data. I was using 4.1 grains of HP-38 with the 158 grain Rainier. From what I can figure, on the draw the powder was being thrown to the front of the case and wasn't igniting properly, although it sounded OK, the recoil was funny. The load worked fine in warm weather, but when the weather was in the teens/low 20s F, the bullet would stick in the 5" 627 EVERY TIME on the draw, but NOT if I elevated the muzzle before firing. Remember DON'T USE THE 4.1 GR LOAD, THE BULLETS WERE STICKING IN THE BARREL WITH THIS LOAD!
Whelenshooter
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SWCA 2379
Last edited by whelenshooter; 12-07-2010 at 05:31 AM.
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