38 Spec. 125gr JHP 4.0gr Bullseye Safe?

[ArchAngelCD]

.... I'm thinking of starting out by splitting the difference (roughly) between min and max and going with 125gr JHP using Bullseye at 4.2gr w/FED100 primers at COAL 1.450. As a starting point does this make sense?

Just a note on COAL with revolver ammo. The OAL is set by the bullet manufacturer. They supply a crimp groove which is the correct position to crimp that bullet. The COAL will not match the data unless you are using the same exact bullet in the same brass trimmed to the same length as in the data. You should crimp in the supplies crimp groove and not worry about the length.

 

[Nevada Ed]

+1 with post #21;

All copper or plated bullets with a cannelure...................
is a no Brainer for what the correct OAL should be.

Don't over think this one.


and if it does not work... (pistols)
get a different bullet!!

(saw that one coming )

 

[Charlie 1]

Just a note on COAL with revolver ammo. The OAL is set by the bullet manufacturer. They supply a crimp groove which is the correct position to crimp that bullet. The COAL will not match the data unless you are using the same exact bullet in the same brass trimmed to the same length as in the data. You should crimp in the supplies crimp groove and not worry about the length.

Agree. 1.450 would put me about .05 from (above) the crimp groove, so I seated to groove and they measure 1.400 coal. good info, thanks.

 

[joeintexas]

You did good starting at a minimum load and loading in increments building up. This will tell you which load your gun likes the most. In the 686 I don't think you have to worry about the loads you mentioned. As a side note, I have loaded 4.2 bullseye under a 125 lead bullet in a J frame and it shot just fine. Good luck.

 

[Charlie 1]

Good news my Oehler is working and as such velocity results on 125gr JHP using Bullseye powder and Fed primers is as follows: 3.8gr=739fps, 4.0gr=755fps, 4.2gr=785fps and 4.4gr=823fps. I first chronograph 5 rounds of American Federal 38 Special (not +P) 130gr FMJ at an average of 898fps and manufacturer list fps at 890. I did this just to establish a baseline and to validate chronograph is working. On average it appears that each 0.2gr increase in powder increases velocity by 28fps. Thus 4.6 may produce 851fps, 4.8 may produce 879fps and 5.0 may produce 907fps(which is pushing it in a 38 special but since I'm test firing a model 686 in 357 magnum I'd again be on safe ground). So I'm going to now load some 4.6, 4.8 and 5.0 and I'll post velocities. Any thoughts on what max velocities any of you shoot and are comfortable with ?

 

[Electric Head]

I'd be a little more careful with the extrapolation that 0.2gr increases give ~28fps increase. From the numbers you have given, it increases by 16, 30, 33. The pressure is likely to increase more exponentially than linearly.

It is an increasing amount each time, but also looks to be tapering off. Once you start getting diminishing returns of fps per increment of powder (which looks to be the next increment), I'd go no further, but that's me. The pressure will likely increase exponentially while the fps gain increases in ever-diminishing amounts.

 

[StakeOut]

I think 5.0gr of Unique under a 158gr lead,plated or jacketed bullet is a better load in 38spl cases than any of 125gr hot Bullseye loadings mentioned in this thread.

 

[nitesite]

I load 3.9gr of Bullseye with a Berrys 125 flat point and it shoots great. I never chrono'd it, but it sure shoots nice in my Model 10 with a 4" heavy barrel.

One problem is that Berry's isn't a jacketed bullet. The OP is asking about jacketed.

I bet that your load shoots really well in your HB Model 10. It would in lots of guns!

 

[Charlie 1]

A little late but, here's the results 4.6gr=858, 4.8gr=887 and 5.0gr=923. I think I'm going to settle in on 4.6gr and see where that takes me accuracy wise. Again I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to give good advice and help.

 

[Mistered]

I load 3.9gr of Bullseye with a Berrys 125 flat point and it shoots great.

i was shooting with a friend the other day and he had a large quantity of the same Berry's bullet but with 4.2 gr of BE - a very accurate load in everything we shot them out of. Bullseye typically favors hard cast or plated bullets as opposed to jacketed.

 

[rwsmith]

Post number 20 is incorrect..

Disregard this.... I feel like I got something mixed up and may have given bad info.

I may have been referring to Unique powder with this data out of the old Sierra book.

Apologies.... Wayno

 

[BE Mike]

Traditionally it has been thought that a jacketed hollow point bullet needed to travel at around 1,000 fps to get fairly reliable expansion. I don't know if that applies to the Sierra 125 gr. JHP you are loading. Of course you don't say what the intended purpose of your ammo is, either. Getting that 1,000 fps without pressure problems probably is going to require you switch to a different powder.

 

[WR Moore]

I think 5.0gr of Unique under a 158gr lead,plated or jacketed bullet is a better load in 38spl cases than any of 125gr hot Bullseye loadings mentioned in this thread.

I just bought 2 boxes of Federal 38G (158 gr LSWCHP +P), has the deepest hollow point I've ever seen. Having said that, I have never seen expansion from any previous 158 gr HP design at .38 velocities. Decades ago, the Nyclad version of the 38G was supposed to be the New Big Thing. Exited the penetration box after penetrating 30" of tissue simulant. I could hear it rattling through the trees downrange. I'm assuming it didn't expand.

With different powders, you can safely exceed 1000 f/s with the 125 JHPs. That's close enough to the design envelope that they probably will expand. Isn't my choice either.

 

[BruceM]

In Summary, quite the spread 3.2@568fps with maybe a bullet stuck

In view of the fact that THE standard target load for .38 Specials in the day was a 148 grain WC over 2.7 of Bullseye, the odds of any 125 grain bullet over 3.2 grains of Bullseye sticking in the barrel (aka squib) are slim and none. Slim left town!

Bruce

 

[Charlie 1]

Traditionally it has been thought that a jacketed hollow point bullet needed to travel at around 1,000 fps to get fairly reliable expansion. I don't know if that applies to the Sierra 125 gr. JHP you are loading. Of course you don't say what the intended purpose of your ammo is, either. Getting that 1,000 fps without pressure problems probably is going to require you switch to a different powder.

I had a box of a 100 JHP laying around for several years and figured I use them up doing some load development. 850fps is satisfactory for me, there not intended for anything more than range shooting. Once I've used them up I'll probably get some 125gr plated, develop a satisfactory load and blink away.

 

[BE Mike]

I had a box of a 100 JHP laying around for several years and figured I use them up doing some load development. 850fps is satisfactory for me, there not intended for anything more than range shooting. Once I've used them up I'll probably get some 125gr plated, develop a satisfactory load and blink away.

Charlie, I think you'll get better accuracy and economy with hard cast bullets over plated. I like loading 158 grain. LSWC bullets for general range shooting. You just have to load them hot enough to get a good seal to minimize leading in your barrel. A lot of folks like the coated lead bullets instead of those which are lubed traditionally. I've seen mixed reviews about the accuracy of the coated bullets. I haven't seen enough evidence of good accuracy to sway me away from traditional lead bullets. Have fun at the range with those loads you have.