Good or No Good?

[ARMinSC]

I'll say first that I know NOTHING about reloading. How does a .38spl 158gr. cast LSWC over 4.5 grains of bullseye sound. Good or Not? I bought 150 rds. of this from a fella on GB for $49 shipped ($12 per 50 and $13 shipping). I just wanna use them to punch paper with my 2.5" 19 and my 642.
Thanks, Aaron

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=152327993

 

[john traveler]

My first response at seeing the 4.5 grains BE/158 grain cast bullet load was "not good". That exceeds every .38 Special maximum load for that bullet weight and Bullseye powder combination I looked for in several loading manuals. The standard (and maximum) using a 158 SWC cast bullet is 3.5 grains BE.

However, those manuals were written before the .38 Special +P+ loadings were standardized.

Then, I saw that you were going to fire them in an M19 and an M642.

They are probably safe to fire in those guns, but would advise not buying anymore from that source.

 

[ARMinSC]

The ad said "light target loads"! Are these +p or +p+? I haven't sent payment yet, I ask for his "recipe" on these and was waiting to ask a reloader about them. I'll still get these but if they're "hot loads" I don't want anymore.

 

[Skip Sackett]

4.5gr of Bullseye under that bullet is several tenths over the maximum +p load.

This should be a lesson for you not to buy things loaded from someone you don't know. I have no problem shooting loads from other handloaders. They just aren't going to be someone I don't know. I know there are folks that say to NEVER do it but listen, you shoot ammunition everyday that is loaded by someone else, they just happen to work at a factory and they do it for pay and may have had a fight with their wife before they went to work that day or have a hangover or smoked a "doobie" for lunch or any number of things that could have distracted them and made a mistake that would have caused an overload.

It could be 4.5gr or 9.5gr. If someone loads them that far over, there is no telling how much over they are.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[acl864]

These are loaded with an extremely fast burning powder and that can lead to pressure spikes if overloaded. There's not much room for error with these loads. Personally I would not shoot them. Just my two cents worth.

 

[Alk8944]

Cut directly from the Gun Broker ad the link referenced:

"38 Special reloaded ammunition with 158 grain semi-wadcutter lead cast bullet. These are very light target loads for easy shooting. Price is per 50 rounds. We have a lot of this so order all you want."

Nowhere does it mention the powder or amount, where did you see that? Did you contact the seller and he responded that 4.5 gr. Bullseye was the load? If so, stay as far away as possible from those. If that is the load the pressure could easily be in the 25,000 PSI area which is 20% above the +P standard. This is in light .357 Magnum range.

And for John Traveler, just a reminder. There is no standard for +P+. There is a SAAMI standard for +P, but all that +P+ means is that it exceeds the +P standard.

 

[john traveler]

True, there is no established SAAMI standard for +P .38 Specials.

The point was that 4.5 grains BE exceeded the standard load of 3.5 grains by a large margin, and that pressures must be in excess of +P and higher.

I also noticed the advertisement did not state the powder charge and amount. For that matter, how does an individual get away with selling reloaded ammo on an auction site? Can anyone do that, or does the seller have to be a licensed ammo manufacturer?

 

[ARMinSC]

@Alk8944 I emailed the seller to ask him his recipe for these rounds as I stated in my second post in this thread.

I emailed the seller again after the first reply in the thread to ask him if he was sure it was 4.5grs of bullseye. He said he told me wrong. He said he was thinking I was another buyer asking about 9mm loads. He said these .38spl loads were 3.5 grains of hp38. So how does that load sound? 158gr LSWC over 3.5grs of hp38. My buddy reloads and I can pull a bullet or two and check the grs of powder right?

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
I see here that 3.1 is a starting load and 3.7 is max so I guess I'm good to go.
Thanks everyone,
Aaron

 

[DougE]

If I were stuck with these reloads, I'd pull the bullets, ditch the powder and reload them properly. I wouldn't trust anything that seller told me at this point.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

3.5 grains of HP-38 is a nice .38 special load under a 158 gr. LSWC. I have used it for light target shooting.

I personally would not shoot someone elses reloads given the choice, but that is all that some folks have access to. When you get these loads, have your friend pull one apart and weigh the powder. It should be a flake type powder. Shoot a couple after that and see if they are consistant.

Again, I think that it is risky to shoot reloads that were loaded by someone you do not know and trust. If they are indeed a load consisting of a 158 grn. LSWC over 3.5 grains of HP-38 (W-231), it is a fine loading for target shooting.


WG840

 

[jj2am44]

If I were stuck with these reloads, I'd pull the bullets, ditch the powder and reload them properly. I wouldn't trust anything that seller told me at this point.

+1--I don't think that guy knows what he is doing. John Traveler is correct. You must have an FFL to make and sell ammo.

 

[Forester]

3.5 grains of HP-38 is a nice .38 special load under a 158 gr. LSWC. I have used it for light target shooting.

I personally would not shoot someone elses reloads given the choice, but that is all that some folks have access to. When you get these loads, have your friend pull one apart and weigh the powder. It should be a flake type powder. Shoot a couple after that and see if they are consistant.

Again, I think that it is risky to shoot reloads that were loaded by someone you do not know and trust. If they are indeed a load consisting of a 158 grn. LSWC over 3.5 grains of HP-38 (W-231), it is a fine loading for target shooting.


WG840

I agree with all WG's points above. Use caution.

 

[ARMinSC]

Thanks Wheelgunner, and others. I figure one has to start their business out some how and this fella is probably just starting out on GB. I love Georgia Arms ammo, they are somebody else's reloads and they started small once upon a time. I don't distrust this fella because he made a mistake and told me the wrong recipe the first time, so I'm going to buy the ammo and give him and them a try. I'll do as said, pull one and weigh the powder and make sure it's flake type and shoot a few in my 686 first.

 

[ARMinSC]

http://apogeeammo.com/

Got these today. They look really good. Mixed brass, the bullet itself looks really clean. I can't wait to shoot some. The above link is the company.

 

[n4zov]

If I were stuck with these reloads, I'd pull the bullets, ditch the powder and reload them properly. I wouldn't trust anything that seller told me at this point.

+1 That is extremely good advice. It is obvious the person who loaded them really has no clue about the loads. I would not fire them under any circumstances!

 

[Wee Hooker]

a) I'm reluctant to shoot ANYBODY elses relaods unless it's a commercial, well established and bonded company
b) 3.5 gr bullseye is a ver common "target" load under that bullet. 4.5 is nuts!
c) Don't pay for and or shoot them.

 

[alwslate]

3.5 gr's of HP-38 under a 158 gr swc is a light load, but HP-38 is a
flattened ball powder not a flake powder. Small grains, light grey in
color. Bullseye is a small grained flake powder much darker in color.

 

[dalewelch]

You should advise this guy to read up on the legality of selling as well...

ATF Online - Firearms - Frequently Asked Questions - Manufacturers

That and they better be an LLC and have some insurance.

 

[ARMinSC]

I don't think this is just some "dude" in his garage. He has a website and sent business cards along with the ammo. I think he's just got started making bullets. He sells new and reloaded ammo just like many other ammo companies. Jesus! I'll ask a question like this in a PM later if I have another, lol. He made a mistake in telling me the wrong recipe the first time I ask him for it. He corrected himself and told me the right recipe after I asked him about it. I bought some Blue Bunny ammo when I was in Nashville the other day, I guess I should throw it out with this ammo and all the ammo I got from Georgia Arms too. ;-)

 

[PDL]

Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed. Guys trying to help you be safe and you're flamin them. Oh well, none of my business, but that seemed a bit un-necessary.