38 Special, 158 RNFP, 3.5gns of Bullseye

[BE Mike]

Originally posted by 1x2:

What OAL are you using? Taper or roll crimp?

I don't know who you were directing your question to, but- I load EVERYTHING to standard length, in the case of the .38 sp, 1.550". I use a firm roll crimp, again, with EVERYTHING; I was taught to let a little pressure build before she pops loose. Also, with the larger calibers/heavier loads, it prevents the other cartridges from jumping crimp in the chambers. I use the standard Dillon dies or the Lyman carbide 4-die set- depends on which calibers I was loading before I purchased the RL550B

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1x2

I have found over the years that there is no good "one size fits all" solution to reloading. I use a slight taper crimp in all my .38 spl target loads and a rather heavy crimp in all my full house loads, especially with jacketed ammo. The heavy crimp might work in everything, but you might not be getting the best accuracy or the best feeding in a semi-auto. I also taper crimp seperately. It just works better.

 

[citizen gary]

Originally posted by Kevin G:

Originally posted by walnutred:
Someone whose opinion I respect once told me that the problem with Bullseye is they use powdered graphite to keep the grains of powder from sticking together.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on this point. I'm under the impression that the graphite coating on smokeless powder grains in general has something to do w/controlling the burn rate of the powder.
Tks, Kevin

Hello all. I am not a regular poster, but just ran across this and thought I would add my $.02 worth.
In a article by Chuck Hawks (link: http://www.chuckhawks.com/smokeless_powder.htm) he states:
"Graphite is used as a coating to facilitate powder handling, and it is this graphite coating that gives smokeless powder its typical gray color. Stabilizing agents are also added to modern powders to enhance storage life."
I assume he is correct.

 

[1x2]

I use a... rather heavy crimp in all my full house loads, especially with jacketed ammo. The heavy crimp might work in everything, but you might not be getting the best accuracy or the best feeding in a semi-auto.

Hi BE Mike and others:
I think this thread got away from me. It started out addressing different charge weights of Bullseye under a lead RNFP bullet, and I stuck with that. Anyone bothering to read my posts should read them in that light.

I've never reloaded a jacketed bullet in my life, nor owned a pistol (I once turned down a free '60s era Colt Woodsman). By everything, I mean .38, .357, .44 magnum, and .45LC, at every velocity I shoot them at (which is medium-to-medium fast; in the case of the .38 SWC or RNFP, 650-900fps, depending on the barrel length and my "practice philosophy" through the years).

Thanks,
1x2

 

[SlamFire]

In looking at my Lyman 45 manual they list 3.5 gns BE as the factory duplication load/max powder charge, for this bullet weight.

I have shot cases of this load. Several times over. I have shot this with LRN, LSWC and JHP bullets. Shoots great. This load provides consistent accuracy in a wide variety of 38 Specials. I have shot this load in a number of 38 Spl snubbies, average velocities vary from 675 fps to just about 700 fps depending on the revolver. Std deviations are under 15 fps. Very consistent velocities. The average 2" revolver will shoot this load just at 700 fps. Factory 158 Lead ammunition fired same day, same gun, also chronographs at 700 fps. I consider this a factory equivalent load. This load is not sensitive to primer or whether bullet is LRN or LSWC. I have used CCI, Federal, and Win primers and had excellent results. I do not recommend magnum primers, though WSP are very hot primers.

It shoots to point of aim in snubbies and four inch revolvers with fixed sights that are regulated for the 158 grain bullet.

In a 4" Colt Police Positive this load chronographs at 760 fps.

My Hornady book lists 3.8 gns BE as the STARTING point for lead 158 gn bullets. How can one manuals maximum load be below the starting load for another????

The burn rate of smokeless gun powder either the pressure raises exponentially, or the slope of the pressure curve changes exponentially. It was one or the other.

Humans don't think in exponential terms, our brains are not hardwired that way. Heard an example on the radio, proved that even though I know what was supposed to happen, I could not visualize the conclusion. Anyway when things change exponentially, small differences create big differences.

Don't worry about it.

 

[1x2]

My Speer manual #13 shows results for the 3.5gr of Bullseye load under a 158gr SWC running 814fps out of a 6" bbl Model 14. NOT a very hot load. Would be considerably less velocity in a shorter barrel. Compare it to the Remington 158gr LSWC R38S12 or LHP R38S14 so widely recommended as carry loads. It's a comparative pussycat.

1x2