Reloading 38/357

[Nick70577]

Can someone please give me the measurements for bullet, Hornady JHP #35750, 158 grain?

I will be reloading 38/357 with Berrys 158 round nose. But I dont have these bullets listed in my manual.

If I know the measurements for the Hornady bullet, I believe I can deduct or add to adjust for my Berry round nose bullet. I am looking for OAL for the round nose.

I will be using IMR 4227, and would like to seat the bullet for correct pressures.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

There is no way for any manual to cover every bullet made. You can safely use load data for a similar bullet of the same profile and construction. You use lead bullet data for lead bullets and jacketed data for jacketed bullets. This is why a powder RANGE is supplied in the data, start low and work up.

With plated bullets the companies suggest you use lead bullet data or mid-level jacketed bullet data. Hope this helps a bit...

 

[ironhead7544]

Your manual will show the maximum length with bullet seated. Try loading a dummy to that length and see if it fits in the cylinder/chamber. Should be OK at that length. Then work up a load using the start load first.

You could also call Berrys.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Why would you need to call Berry's? They clearly tell you what data you should use right on their site. they will not change what they say on the phone.

Berry's Frequently Asked Questions â?? FAQ's

Currently published load data is limited to some calibers by Accurate, Western Powders and Hodgdon. We are working with these companies to get data published for all of our bullets.

We recommend using hard cast load data or start with mid-range jacketed data. Make sure data is below 1250fps unless you are using a Thick-Plated bullet that we list a higher max velocity for like the 9mm 124gr HBRN-TP that can be shot to 1500fps in open class guns like a .38 Super. Keep in mind that since our plated bullet has the same pressure curve as a hard cast bullet, the published cast data will be very close to what you will get with our plated bullets. If you use Jacketed data with our plated bullets you can get from 5% - 8% increase in velocity using that data.

 

[ironhead7544]

OK, I realized that might confuse you a little bit. Looking in my Speer Manual #13 the Max. Cart. Length is 1.590". Your bullet could still work in your revolver at a slightly longer length. Or, it might need a shorter length depending on the revolver. In general. the 1.590" will work with most jacketed bullets. So, if your dummy drops into the revolver chambers easily, you are good to go at that length.

When I first started loading in 1972, I only bought bullets with a crimp groove as that is where the maker intended the crimp to be. That made it a bit easier on me.

 

[ironhead7544]

Why would you need to call Berry's? They clearly tell you what data you should use right on their site. they will not change what they say on the phone.

Berry's Frequently Asked Questions â?? FAQ's

Since the question is about the cartridge length, they would know what it is. I dont see where it is on their site.

 

[scooter123]

The overall length of the 158 grain Hornady XTP # 35750 is 0.668 inch. I don't have any of the 158 grain Berry's on hand but experience between Rainier and Berry's bullets at 125 grains would indicate that they will be within 0.01 inch of each other. So you should be able to safely use data for a Rainier plated bullet of the same weight.

BTW, I would NOT recommend using a plated bullet for a 357 Magnum Rifle load, for that you'll want the excellent Hornady XTP. However in the 158 grain weight a mid range to starting level load should produce a 357 Magnum load that is well below the 1200 FPS limit suggested for most plated bullets.

 

[Nick70577]

Thanks all and to Scooter123 for the measurement of the Hornady bullet!

My Berry RN is 0.688. Its a difference of 0.020 between the two bullets.

My Lyman manual lists the Hornady with a col of 1.590, If I load to this with my Berry round nose: this would mean that the bullet would be .020 deeper in the shell case and could cause higher pressure.

I'm thinking this would be ok as long as I start out with the min. powder grains. I'm using Smith and Wesson 686 plus, IMR Powder.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Plated bullets are best at moderate or lower velocities.

If you want to push a bullet faster for low cost, try some cast.

 

[mikld]

Why would you need to call Berry's? They clearly tell you what data you should use right on their site. they will not change what they say on the phone.

Berry's Frequently Asked Questions â?? FAQ's

Yep, but no OAL data, which is, I believe, what the OP asked...

 

[Reddog]

Most loading manuals give an OAL for each bullet weight. I've been using that for nearly 60 years now with no problem.
Dick

 

[Alk8944]

Can someone please give me the measurements for bullet, Hornady JHP #35750, 158 grain?

I will be reloading 38/357 with Berrys 158 round nose. But I dont have these bullets listed in my manual.

If I know the measurements for the Hornady bullet, I believe I can deduct or add to adjust for my Berry round nose bullet. I am looking for OAL for the round nose.

I will be using IMR 4227, and would like to seat the bullet for correct pressures.

You are over thinking this! If you are using the Hornady manual for your load data simply load to the same LOA as Hornady lists for their 158 JHP. The difference in seating depth (slightly less due to shorter bullet) due to the slightly shorter Berrys bullet will result in very slightly reduced pressure. You are worrying about something that makes less than no difference, in either cartridge!

But I have only been re-loading for 55 years and well over 1 million rounds, the vast majority for revolvers, so what do I know.

BTW, IMR 4227 is a poor choice for any revolver cartridge, it is too slow. Unless that is all you can get right now, then you just have to make do.

 

[scooter123]

Look at most of the loading guides for the 357 Magnum and you will find that in most cases the upper limit on velocity for jacketed bullets is in the range of 1250 fps. Yeah, I am aware of the Hodgdon loads featuring the Hornady XTP's exceeding 1500 fps but I am also aware that those loads in particular were done using a 10 inch barrel and feture Hodgdon's slowest handgun powders. Out of a 6 or 4 inch barrels the velocities produced will be much lower. So, if the Nick is shooting with a 4 inch 686 he will find it difficult to produce a 357 Magnum load that exceeds 1200 FPS.

To the OP, Nick. You mention you are planning to load with an IMR powder. If it's SR4756 you won't have any issues with excessive muzzle velocities, it's not a powder well suited to the 357 Magnum with a heavier bullet. If it's SR7625, I have to strongly recommend AGAINST using this powder because I've found it to be extremely Position Sensitive in a revolver case. In my case I was loading 38 specials but with the barrel pointing down prior to shooting the muzzle velocity was only 400 fps., point the barrel up and the muzzle velocity produced was 700 fps.. That is a 300 fps swing in velocity due to powder position in the case and IMO I was extremely lucky I did not lodge a squib in the barrel. I've found that SR7625 is a great powder for semi autos but a very poor choice for revolver loads featuring a long deep case.

If you want some suggestions for a powder to use for a moderate level 1100 fps 357 Magnum I would suggest Accurate #5, Longshot, or IMR 4227. Because based on data provided in the Hornady (8" barrel) and Speer (6" barrel) these powders will produce velocities in the 1050 to 1100 fps range with a mid range 357 Magnum loading. As for IMR SR 4756, the data I have for this powder cuts off the pressure level and 29,900 psi and reading between the lines a bit that indicates to me that 4756 may have a tendency to get a bit "spikey" at higher pressures with a result of excessive velocity swings. Because of this you'll need to limit your powder charge with the 4756 and your Magnum loads will actually be closer to a 38 +P in terms of produced velocity.

 

[rwsmith]

Not picky....

The .38/.357 is very forgiving as are the other straight wall revolver cartridges from the black powder era. As long as it fits in your cylinder, crimping anywhere on the straight shank of the bullet is acceptable. If a bullet has a cannelure, crimp in that. If you want consistency lot to lot a caliper will help repeat the COAL for later batches.

This is NOT true with modern, semi auto cartridges like the 9mm and .40, They must be within a few thousandths of an inch to prevent wild pressure swings.