HP-38 38 Special Load with Precision Delta 158Gr FMJ

[WVSig]

I am getting back into shooting 38 Spl. Looking for something in the mid range but the info is all over the place. If I look on Hogdon's site the show 4.3gr as max with a Hornady XTP 158gr bullet with and overall length of 1.455"

I was going to go with 4.2gr of HP38 which I have on hand and S&B SPP seated to 1.455"

This is the bullet I am using.

38 Caliber 130 grain Full Metal Jacket Bullets | Reloading Bullets | Precision Delta

Looking at the Precision Delta bullet if I set the OAL to 1.455" it is over the cannelure. Will it be ok to seat to the middle of the cannelure an be a little longer? Also how much of a crimp do I need to use. I am using a Lee Turret with a 4 die set so it has their roll crimp die.

I am not new to reloading I just have not run 38 Spl in a while and want to create a decent load for a 15-1 an older M&P hand ejector and other .357 chambered S&Ws. All guns are 3" or 4" barrels.

Thanks in advance.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

For the most part the OAL for any specific revolver is limited by the length of the cylinder: for the most part you can load 'em as long as they'll fit!

Hodgdons also shows a MAX of 4.6gr of HP38 for that same 158gr XTP but in the 38 Special +P data. Same powder as WIN 231.

So, your 4.2gr loaded to the cannelure should be fine, and a minimum roll crimp should suffice. No need to over expand the case: just enough to get the jacketed bullets started will add to the "neck" tension.

Cheers!

P.S. It's not like you are loading a 110gr XTP with 22.5gr of H110 @ 2K fps in 357 Magnum...

P.P.S. Just noticed your thread title refers to a 158gr bullet but the link says 130gr. Make absolutely sure your test rounds are making one hole each in your target: 4.2gr might be a bit less midrange for a 130gr bullet...?

 

[zeke]

Used to load long nose 125 gn lrnfp in 38 special. Used 4.0 gns hp-38 for accuracy load, but only for revolvers that had adj sights that could be regulated for the load.

 

[Nick B]

I loaded that bullet one time . Model 64 with 4” barrel
4.8 of HP38
Average velocity 785 fps .
I switched over to Universal Clays to get the velocity up into the mid 800’s .