Load Data for 150 grain LRN Bullet

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kbm6893

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When I first got into reloading 5 years ago, components were hard to find as we all remember. You took what you could find. And the only bullets I could find were 150 grain lead round nose bullets. I used those bullets to load some dummy rounds but could never find any load data for that bullet. I’m looking for data for that bullet and HP38/Win 231. Figure why let 500 lead bullets sitting around going to waste?

Anybody have a source for powder and COAL?
 
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I'd start with 155 or 160 grain load data all depends on what caliber your loading

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You can use 158 grain lead load data. In theory a 150 grain bullet will have less bullet in the case and the pressure will be slightly less.

OAL will be set by the crimp groove location.

Hodgdons website has load data for a 158 LSWC. It maxs out at whooping 14,600 CUP with 834 FPS. Should be a fine target load. If that's what you're looking for.
 
I used to load 150 gn LSWC in .38 Spec and simply used standard 158 gn data. The lighter bullet had better velocity than the 158 gn ones at lower pressure.
 
Kiwi cop said:
I used to load 150 gn LSWC in .38 Spec and simply used standard 158 gn data. The lighter bullet had better velocity than the 158 gn ones at lower pressure.
Click to expand...

That’s what I figured. I loaded a dummy round without changing any die settings. It looks good. I’ll load up six and shoot them before I load the rest. Let you know if I blow up the gun!

And yes, I’m just looking for a paper puncher round. Even in my .357 revolvers I only shoot .38.
 
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Just use any 158-grain lead bullet data, seat it to the crimp groove to your liking. Lighter bullet, same charge, pressure will be ever so slightly lower.

Hodgdon goes as low as 3.1. I would nudge it up a bit to 3.2 or 3.3, but your preference (or powder lot) might be different.

Personally, HP-38 wouldn't be my first choice if you were going for absolute lowest velocity and recoil, but they're more fun to shoot than the traditional 2.8 gr of Bullseye.
 
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Many cast bullets aren't right on the money weight wise anyway. 158gr data will do fine. FWIW, I have loaded allot of 158gr LSWC over the years using 3.9 +/- .1gr W231. These loads shoot well in near all my 38/357's. Low recoil. VG accuracy. Velocities in the low 800's.
A search here will give you lots of other data on this bullet and powder combo.
 
My Lyman manual gives the following for 158-grain cast lead round nose in a 4" vented pressure barrel:

HP38, start load 2.6 grains (MV 621, 8800 CUP), max load 4.3 grains (MV 902, 16000 CUP), +P load 4.5 grains (MV 944, 18400 CUP). This should give you a range to work within to achieve your desired results.
 
Lyman Pistol and Revolver #10 shows:

a 150 GR cast full wadcutter at 3.7 to 4.2 of 231

a 158 GR cast Kieth looking flat nose at 3.6 to 4.0 of 231
 
Cast bullets actual weights will vary depending on alloy used...it's common.
Just use data for the 158 gr. Lead RN and you will be just fine .

With HP-38 try 3.5 grains under that bullet , works well in my model 64.
Gary
 
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I know you said target loads but......
a max load of w231 in my J frame snub did 816fps with a 158 LR.

In a 686 6" a 90%+P load did 890fps, per Lyman's data.
Lyman list 3.5 as the starting load for a 155 gr lead bullet on page 38... at 680fps.
OAL 1.46"

Good shooting.
 
Nevada Ed said:
I know you said target loads but......
a max load of w231 in my J frame snub did 816fps with a 158 LR.

In a 686 6" a 90%+P load did 890fps, per Lyman's data.
Lyman list 3.5 as the starting load for a 155 gr lead bullet on page 38... at 680fps.
OAL 1.46"

Good shooting.
Click to expand...

Hodgon lists starting load of 3.1 for HP38 which gives 782 fps, and a max load of 3.7 for 834 fps. I load 3.8 grain since I’m using plated bullets 158 grain LSWC. All my revolvers are 4” except for one j frame.

If I load the lead I’ll dial it down to maybe 3.5 since they’re not plated and try them out.
 
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Nothing left to do here I see.

3.5gr to 4.0gr HP-38/W231 will get the job done quite nicely.
 
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