4.0 and 4.3 of W231 behind 158gr plated. What other mix would you do?

[Stopsign32v]

I'm going to throw about 50 more .38 special loads together before going to the range. So far I have about 100 each of W231 @ 4.0gr and 4.3gr. Bullets used are the 158gr RNFP Xtreme copper plated.

I can do different charge of W231 or go with another powder I have.

CFE pistol
Tite Group
Universal
Unique
No. 2

 

[ageingstudent]

I tried some Universal with a plated 158 gr the starting load of 4.0 grains was too low for a 4" barrel IMOP. Just something to be aware of. When I tested them they barely made it out the end of the barrel. They weren't much better at the max of 4.4. I've since used it in .357 mag and .40 S&W and it seems to like the higher pressures.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I do not load a 158gr jacket that often in my little 38 special cases.
However my 6" with a 158 XTP and a cci primer with a full load did;
Red Dot ..... 832fps
Unique ....... 976

A lead 158gr with CFE went from 820 to 939fps.

Try the CFE.......... it was accurate in my revolver, might be even better with the plated bullets.

 

[Stopsign32v]

I need to find load data for the CFE. It isn't in my Lyman 50th.

 

[rockquarry]

Try the current Hodgdon manual for CFE data.

 

[Stopsign32v]

Try the current Hodgdon manual for CFE data.

Thanks for the tip.

They show 4.8gr on the low to 5.3gr on the high for cast LSWC

BUT

For XTP it shows 4.6gr on the low to 5.0gr on the high.

I figured the XTP charge would be a bit higher.

 

[MAJPATT]

Thanks for the tip.

They show 4.8gr on the low to 5.3gr on the high for cast LSWC

BUT

For XTP it shows 4.6gr on the low to 5.0gr on the high.

I figured the XTP charge would be a bit higher.

+p loads are listed separately, 5.4g for 158 Xtp.

 

[Stopsign32v]

So since I'm coated copper plated bullets I guess I should stick to around 5.0gr of CFE? That seems like a good middle road safe load.

 

[ontargetagain]

I have had good success with Titegroup with 158 Xtreme plated, 3.4-3.5gr. Roll or taper crimped both have worked nicely.
Karl

 

[Stopsign32v]

I have had good success with Titegroup with 158 Xtreme plated, 3.4-3.5gr. Roll or taper crimped both have worked nicely.
Karl

I might throw a few Titegroup together. 20 or so

 

[ageingstudent]

Thanks for the tip.

They show 4.8gr on the low to 5.3gr on the high for cast LSWC

BUT

For XTP it shows 4.6gr on the low to 5.0gr on the high.

I figured the XTP charge would be a bit higher.

i've had good results using XTP data for most plated substitutions. Figure out a reasonable OAL that leaves a similar space for powder inside the case as the XTP and you should be right in there.

 

[Stopsign32v]

i've had good results using XTP data for most plated substitutions. Figure out a reasonable OAL that leaves a similar space for powder inside the case as the XTP and you should be right in there.

How would you do that?

 

[ageingstudent]

I measure the bullets with calipers. If the plated bullet is longer i seat it that much further out. Example: plated bullet is .008 longer than the xtp and oal for xtp is 1.455, i would seat the plated bullet to 1.463 ish. Its a starting point for me. Just how i do it.

Edit: I should mention that's how I do it without a cannelure. If the bullet has a cannelure I seat to that.

 

[Stopsign32v]

I measure the bullets with calipers. If the plated bullet is longer i seat it that much further out. Example: plated bullet is .008 longer than the xtp and oal for xtp is 1.455, i would seat the plated bullet to 1.463 ish. Its a starting point for me. Just how i do it.

Edit: I should mention that's how I do it without a cannelure. If the bullet has a cannelure I seat to that.

Well I understand that point but how do you come up with the beginning "accepted" length? Basically how did you come up with the bullet should be 1.463?

 

[125JHP]

I would look at the powder OEM data for each of your powders and then load 10 of each with a mid-range load to see how they compare with each other.

When determining OAL, you need to consider the max OAL (so you don't go too long) and the length of the driving band and how much of that is in the case (so you don't raise pressure too much). There is probably a generous range you can use and final OAL will follow depending on the olgive profile. In general, don't use another bullet unless it has a very similar profile. For XTP, they will be shorter than most because of the nose taper, so go look at OEM loaded ammo to see what they use for OAL and also look at where the case mouth falls in relation to the nose taper.

 

[Virginia John]

The internet is your friend. Most powder manufacturers have load date posted on their site on the internet. There are also a number of other web sites that provide load data such as; handloads.com and reloadammo.com and most come with OAL, speed, pressure, etc. You might also get some reloading books and read up to become more knowledgeable about cartridges and reloading. This is a dangerous hobby if you don't know what you are doing.

 

[ageingstudent]

Well I understand that point but how do you come up with the beginning "accepted" length? Basically how did you come up with the bullet should be 1.463?

From a manual i got 1.455 oal for the xtp. The plated bullet is .008 longer than the xtp. 1.455+.008=1.463 oal.

 

[Stopsign32v]

From a manual i got 1.455 oal for the xtp. The plated bullet is .008 longer than the xtp. 1.455+.008=1.463 oal.

XTP being 158gr? Does it even matter it's weight btw?

 

[ageingstudent]

XTP being 158gr? Does it even matter it's weight btw?

Yes 158 gr. Yes the weight matters. Heavier bullets have more material in them and that extra mass has to fit somewhere. Usually that means more length since the diameter remains the same.

 

[Stopsign32v]

Yes 158 gr. Yes the weight matters. Heavier bullets have more material in them and that extra mass has to fit somewhere. Usually that means more length since the diameter remains the same.

Thats what I thought. Thank you very much.