Clovishound
Member
I went ahead and ran to the range and tried out some of my .38 spl loads using PB. I was asked to post the results, so here they are.
I shot about 30 rounds of 158 grain hard cast SWCs loaded with 3.5 grains of PB. Hodgdon calls for 3.2 to 3.7 grains. I used a medium roll crimp on the canelure. They were fired from a Smith 10-5 4" barrel. Accuracy was good. Recoil was low. I tried to determine position sensitivity by shooting a group of 6 while first pointing the gun downward and tapping on it, then carefully raising to level and firing. I then tried a group tilting the weapon up, tapping, and then carefully lowering to level. I then did a group without tilting prior to shooting.
I was unable to detect any difference between any of the routines. FWIW, the 3.5 grains fills about 1/4 of the cartridge.
As to dirtiness of the gun afterwards, I would have to say it may have been a tad dirtier than Universal. It was not excessively dirty IMO.
The data calls for somewhat lower MV in the PB loads, but as I am hunting paper, that is not an issue.
My initial impression is that I really like this powder for .38. The reduced recoil is a real plus for me, as my daughter is getting into shooting, and may be more comfortable with the .38 in a milder load. Of course, the fact that it was available was the deciding factor at this point. I am down to the dregs of my Universal.
I looked up the data for 9mm using some home cast 125 grain LCN bullets. The data from the website seemed a little low to me, but I went by the data and loaded up 10 at start, and 10 a few tenths of a grain higher. The next step up would be max. This application calls for a rather narrow powder range.
The start loads would not operate the slide at all, and accuracy was poor. The higher loads operated the slide, but not every time. Accuracy was a little better, but did not seem to be as good as I would like. Leading was none existent.
I will try with some Berry's plated I have on hand. The data for them looks more reasonable to me. If I can get to the outdoor range sometime soon, I may try some of the homecast using the max load, and run it by the chronograph. I don't like using max loads. I insist on weighing every round, and that gets old quick.
I shot about 30 rounds of 158 grain hard cast SWCs loaded with 3.5 grains of PB. Hodgdon calls for 3.2 to 3.7 grains. I used a medium roll crimp on the canelure. They were fired from a Smith 10-5 4" barrel. Accuracy was good. Recoil was low. I tried to determine position sensitivity by shooting a group of 6 while first pointing the gun downward and tapping on it, then carefully raising to level and firing. I then tried a group tilting the weapon up, tapping, and then carefully lowering to level. I then did a group without tilting prior to shooting.
I was unable to detect any difference between any of the routines. FWIW, the 3.5 grains fills about 1/4 of the cartridge.
As to dirtiness of the gun afterwards, I would have to say it may have been a tad dirtier than Universal. It was not excessively dirty IMO.
The data calls for somewhat lower MV in the PB loads, but as I am hunting paper, that is not an issue.
My initial impression is that I really like this powder for .38. The reduced recoil is a real plus for me, as my daughter is getting into shooting, and may be more comfortable with the .38 in a milder load. Of course, the fact that it was available was the deciding factor at this point. I am down to the dregs of my Universal.
I looked up the data for 9mm using some home cast 125 grain LCN bullets. The data from the website seemed a little low to me, but I went by the data and loaded up 10 at start, and 10 a few tenths of a grain higher. The next step up would be max. This application calls for a rather narrow powder range.
The start loads would not operate the slide at all, and accuracy was poor. The higher loads operated the slide, but not every time. Accuracy was a little better, but did not seem to be as good as I would like. Leading was none existent.
I will try with some Berry's plated I have on hand. The data for them looks more reasonable to me. If I can get to the outdoor range sometime soon, I may try some of the homecast using the max load, and run it by the chronograph. I don't like using max loads. I insist on weighing every round, and that gets old quick.
