Federal 130 gr. HST

[sniper]

I have come into a supply of the 130 gr. HST bullets. (components...Ammo purchase to follow, probably.) Federal advertises the muzzle velocity to be 890 fps. Lucky Gunner tests show average velocity from a 2" barrel to be 826 fps, and from a 4" 850. Penetration is about an inch more from the 4" barrel. Excellent results from this and a review I saw on YouTube, imo.

I have recently received a batch of the 130 gr. HST bullets, and have been researching what sort of load will get me to the advertised velocity. They will be used in a 4" revolver, and possibly a 3", When I can find one.

Precious little reloading information available for the 130 gr. bullets, so I shall begin by using data for 125 gr. bullets, which is plentiful.

My givens will be:357 magnum revolver, 4" barrel, 357 Magnum brass, standard primers.
My can of Hodgdon Universal posts a load of 5.2 gr. for .38 Special, @ 1032 fps. I think this will be a good starting place, when the dust settles from the additional space in the larger 357 case. I think 5 gr. bullet weight difference is inconsequential, especially not using max. loads. Seating length...probably as the factory does, with just a little bit of the nose showing, or, standard 357 OAL.

Unique...my old IPSC and everything load of 5.5gr./150-162 gr. cast swc; probably drop the charge to 5.0 gr., and see what happens, ultimately going to 6 gr.

AA #5...An untried entity so far, but probably the Western .38 +P load recommendations for 125 gr JHP will be a good starting place.

So, what say, reloading Gurus? Am I on the right track, or is there something I haven't taken into consideration?

Thanx!
C.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The loads you were quoting are a little hot for the jacket performance you have. 3 possibilities: 1) slow down to 38 special velocities, 2) waste these bullets, or 3) get some bullets for faster velocities!

There are no major shortages as of now, so only your budget and desires restrain the possible opportunities of loads!

Ivan

I am still saving some bullets from over 40 years ago, just waiting for the right need for those "Special" bullets! You don't have to use them up right now!

 

[Eddietruett]

I loaded up some to try and used 5.0gr of Universal which will basically interchange with Unique. Worked fine. If I remember correctly, got about 900-950 fps out of a 3" Model 64

 

[sniper]

I am still saving some bullets from over 40 years ago, just waiting for the right need for those "Special" bullets! You don't have to use them up right now!

But...where's the fun in that?
Although...I do have a few hundred of my absolute favorite cast bullets; RCBS mould...150 gr SWC K...left over from my casting days, and no commercial outfit offers them, sooo...your idea is a good one! Even if a commercial caster did offer them in stock, they probably wouldn't be as good as mine.

Actually, I am looking for velocities in the 850-900 fps neighborhood, because that is where the 3 bullets I will regularly use...the 130gr. Federal HST, Speer 135 gr. Short barrel, and the Remington 125 gr. Golden saber, which is designed for ~ 975 fps, per Rem's advertising.

 

[Nevada Ed]

With 2" data at 830 fps with the 130 grain bullet............

You might try Unique or Blue Dot and get that fps up to 888 or more with a magnum primer and a heavy crimp.

Just depends on how "Max" you want that bullet to go at..........

It was made for SD work with light recoil, like the old 125gr "Nyclad"
for fast follow ups and minimum recoil in the light weight J frames.

A super great bullet, if it will work in your weapon.
Good luck.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Note;

Great bullet but if pushed too hard in a Magnum, I do not know how
the bullet will act in the expansion department.

I do know that in my M49 38 snub nose, it was easy to get the Hornady 140 XTP
up to 900 fps with either w231 or Unique powders but at around 877 fps
it was a lot easier to hold on to and grouped a little better.

Have fun.