Armscor .38 spl 158 gr FMJ Help

russic126 · Mar 22, 2014

Hello I am new to the forum not new to reloading, but on an impulse buy bought 500 fmj 158 gr armscor bullets when buying some dillon parts saw em and figured id try em. My question is does anybody have any data for these? I have titegroup, bullseye, and red dot available in quantity and right now anything else is hard to find,

I am looking to load in a new 686+ 4", model 10 classic 4" , and a no dash model 36 nickel , with win sm pistol primers.

data for 38 spl, +p and 357 mag would be helpful.

I normally load 125 lrn, 158 lrn, swc, hbwc.

Thanks
Aaron

lebomm · Mar 22, 2014

Your 686 will do just fine w/those 158 FMJs in any reasonable .38 Special loading, up to and including the .38-44 loads. Just remember that the FMJ will raise pressures a mite over lead bullets.
BTW, are they true FMJ or "totally plated" style? The plated bullets are sorta in-between lead & jacketed, so load accordingly.

Larry

russic126 · Mar 22, 2014

Hey thanks on the help, they read FMJ but I'm guessing they are plated here's the dillon link

Dillon Precision: Reloaders, Reloading Equipment, Bullet Reloading, Bullet Reloaders

Thanks

gray wolf · Mar 22, 2014

guessing ?
plated is plated and full metal jacket is just what is says.
Sorry no load data from me. Get a manual and do a little reading.
Harsh ? I think not.

Rule3 · Mar 22, 2014

Armscor makes FMJ bullets some are Copper and some are brass (yes brass) they are not plated bullets.

As to load data any manual or powder company data for the same weight bullet will work. You will need to alter your COL depending on YOUR barrel.

Manuals are your friend

russic126 · Mar 22, 2014

At gray wolf the guessing part is that there is no data on the link I provided and on the armscor website there seems a mix of data. I have the Speer manuals starting from no 10 on. I don't believe there is an armscor manual. I am new to this bullet in particular my first post says that. Thanks for the welcoming info. I'm not offended though. I am however asking for help if anyone has any info on this particular bullet. The second poster asked me if I was sure if that were the case I would not be asking. Thanks.

Rule 3 thanks for the clarification I will cross check data in my manuals.
Thank you all.

Rule3 · Mar 22, 2014

russic,

The "particular" brand of bullet does not usually matter. Any load data with the same weight and SHAPE (such as a 158 gr RN FMJ) will work for that bullet or any other brand,

Bullseye is good powder for the 38 Special but not 357 Mag. For that you want a slower burning powder.

The Alliant Powder online data only lists lead bullet data so that is no use.

Folks are leery about posting powder charges for fear of someone messing up.

Find a Speer or Hornady, Lyman manual.

I bought a bunch of the Armscor bullets in 9mm.

Look here:

Reloading .357 Magnum Page

Handloads.Com Load Data - Handloads.Com

russic126 · Mar 22, 2014

Rule 3 thanks again I figured on the folks and data, I have never done fmj in 38/357 only ever jsp and hp and the others I listed. But with a impulse surplus buy I figure some one may have had these. My local shops are spotty anymore on stock and online seems spotty still as well. I just loaded a 100 up and will hit the range tomorrow. I went off my Speer data. Again thanks for the info and help. Parts availability rules right now so my tried and trues just are not available presently. I appreciate the links.

gray wolf · Mar 22, 2014

OK, I'm thinking lets help this guy out, better we do that than have him get hurt. He said he has manuals, he has bullets, he has powder,
What he doesn't have is the understanding as to how to put it all together
and make it work.
I will start,

Your bullets should be labeled FMJ or plated, If they are plated use the 158 grain lead data and start at the low end and work up slow, Lead bullets take less powder than jacketed to reach the same velocity.
Plated bullets are considered lead. Just don't use the seating dept for flat points or hollow points. you don't want to seat deeper than they should be as that will raise pressure.
If they are FMJ round nose, ust the data for a full metal jacketed RN bullet, again use the book seating dept ( OAL ) Start low and work up. You must use the RN data for the seating dept ( OAL )
If you do use the BE powder for the 357 stay in the middle or lower end of the load data.
If you don't think you have a grasp on any of this, then Pass and let them go for another time.

Most times I will not answer a questions like this. But you should think about getting a better understanding of what is going on with bullets , powder, primers, and such. Read the rest of the book/books not just the load data.
Don't ever just plow ahead or take chances.

russic126 · Mar 22, 2014

Thanks gray wolf they are fmj. Per label I appreciate the help.

Rule3 · Mar 23, 2014

As I mentioned previously Armscor bullets are FMJ.

Widener's Reloading and Shooting Supply INC

I bought 2,000 in 9mm.

The OP is seeking information which is what the forum is for, not a lecture or insults.

russic126 · Mar 23, 2014

Thanks again rule 3

Armscor .38 spl 158 gr FMJ Help

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