Ideas for 158 RNFP load?

[lazy]

So I have a box of 158 grain .358 RNFP moly coated bullets, from Bear Creek Supply. I will be loading them in .38 cases, and shooting them out of a 4, 686, and a 3, SP101.

I thinking something hot, for shooting out to 100 yards, for fun, and critters while out hunting.

 

[Damn Yankee]

7 Grs of Bluedot

6 Grs of 800X

 

[OFT II]

5.5 grains of Unique would be a good warm load.

 

[mkk41]

I prefer HP-38/W-231 for .38 Specials. Looking thru the .38 Special LoadBooks for 158gr lead bullets , I'm finding loads from 4.5 to 5grs , which are +P rated.

I'd be more concerned that the lead alloy used was up to higher velocities without leading.

 

[MEMPHISBELLE]

I found that 5.0 grains of 231will cause mild leading. I went back to 4.2 grains for my weekend plinking.

 

[Rule3]

Per the OP, They are Moly coated.

 

[RalphK22]

I have loaded some 38s with 6 grs. of power pistol and a 158 gr LRNFP. This is a +P load, but if I remember correctly the pressure is on the low side for a +P load and produces 1036 fps in whatever test barrel Allient used. I haven't shoot any yet so I can't give a first hand report.

 

[NiklasP]

I have been using 8,0 grains of Blue Dot under Rem 0,358, 158 grain swaged SWC in 38 Special brass for about 1000 fps from three different .357s. No leading and smallish groups at 20 yards or so.

I will be switching to .357 brass some month soon, to prevent need for cleaning front of chambers before using high pressure .357 loads in these guns.

Niklas

 

[lazy]

Thanks guys, for the info. I am looking to load hot, I think they are fun to shoot.

Yes, they are Moly coated, I do not know why or what for moly coating is done.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm in the W231/HP-38 camp big time...

 

[westczek]

lazy,

I use the moly-(polymer)-coated bullets. You can move the coated bullets at higher speeds without leading. I use ones from Black Bullets International.

I have used Unique and liked it. The 5.5 grns will give you a stout load. With a tapper-crimp out of the 4 inch 686 it should be in the low to mid-900 fps. If there is a crimp groove you can try a roll crimp, will be a bit faster.

Westczek

 

[Skip Sackett]

SAY WHAT???????????????

I'm in the W231/HP-38 camp big time...

And you didn't even MENTION HS-6! WAZZUPWITDAT?


If you want hot loads, and run them in 38SPL cases, in a 357Mag firearm, I have some loads that will light up your world!

Not for publication on the WWW though!

ArchAngel has some that might be right up your alley with HS-6 though.

The Unique loads mentioned above are good ones.

 

[lazy]

No crimp grove.

 

[westczek]

I reload for USPSA competition and use moonclips. I'm trying to get as long out of a case as I can, and avoid the roll crimp even if I can. Case mouths don't split as much that way. You can snug down on the tapper crimp die quite a bit.

HS-6... wouldn't it take a lot of that stuff to work? I tried it with unsatisfactory results and used it up on 9mm.

Westczek

 

[Andy Griffith]

Really good loads listed already- I can't add too much to it.

If they have no crimp groove on the bullets- I'd crimp them well.

Of course, I crank down the roll crimp and put about as much as I can on it and make certain there is no "edge" on the brass- I've never gotten a good burn on Unique unless I put on a significant roll crimp. But then again, I just casually shoot.

 

[Rule3]

Thanks guys, for the info. I am looking to load hot, I think they are fun to shoot.

Yes, they are Moly coated, I do not know why or what for moly coating is done.

A few years ago,Moly was all the rage for rifle shooters. Moly (molybdenum disulphide) is one of the slipperiest, least friction substance known. The only real problem with it is removing it! There are no chemicals that will remove it once your bore is coated with it. In a handgun it is not to bad, some JB bore paste and elbow grease will scrub it out.

Those who used it and liked it stated that once the bore was coated, nothing would stick to it so cleaning was easier and higher velocities obtained.

 

[Skip Sackett]

HS-6... wouldn't it take a lot of that stuff to work? I tried it with unsatisfactory results and used it up on 9mm.

Westczek

Well, if you used current data it is no wonder you had unsatisfactory results with HS-6. It likes two things, magnum primers and full power loads. If you use it to make bunny phfft loads, you ain't a gonna like it much.

Now, ArchAngel has a few loads, and since the OP asked about hot 38spl loads, that will fit the bill just fine. I know it is over current published data BUT, it was used for years without problems.

As Andy says too, and I have found this to be true too, the slower the powder, the more crimp it needs to start it to work, in most handgun loads anyway.

Unique will be as dirty as some folks claim if used at reduced levels. Crank it up to where folks used to use it and it will clean right up.

FWIW

P.S. OCD1, how did you get your name changed?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

And you didn't even MENTION HS-6! WAZZUPWITDAT?


If you want hot loads, and run them in 38SPL cases, in a 357Mag firearm, I have some loads that will light up your world!

Not for publication on the WWW though!

ArchAngel has some that might be right up your alley with HS-6 though.

The Unique loads mentioned above are good ones.

Actually, I missed the part about the OP wanting a "hot" load. Now, if you're looking for something with a little "zip" to it I would (and do) use HS-6. Yes, a magnum primer should be used with HS-6 for best results.

lazy, PM on the way...

 

[Mark in GA]

I would maybe give 6.5 grs of HS-6 a try. About 5.5 grs of Unique has worked well for me in the past too. Both are solid +P level loads.

Mark in GA

 

[lazy]

Thanks everone for the load data, I have it written down.

What powder is HS-6?

what does "working up a load" mean? What signs should I be looking for besides mising parts of the gun after I shoot it?

I will go ahead and kick that dead horse again and ask what is the "load", "FBI load," and if everone is trying to duplicate it, why is it not made by a big name bullet maker?