Seeking 38 spl recipes using 160 gr coated bullets

[Tanners Owner]

I shoot idpa, and likely to shoot my M15 or 64 this season after a few seasons of semis.

Am seeking recommended loads that meet power factor (105) for my revolvers using 160 gr powder coated bullets.

I do have loads for 158 gr- can I use those, especially at the low end?

Main reason I’m considering 160 gr is the bullet is round nose where my 158s are SWC designed. The round nose load much quicker when on the clock.

Thanks in advance

 

[STORMINORMAN]

If the 158s are a gr. heavy, and the 160s a gr. light...

What w/b the difference...?

Cheers!

 

[Imissedagain]

RN vs SWC.

 

[len917]

You can get 158gr round nose. If you want coated, check cast mfgs. If plated check plated mfgrs. You should be able to find them.

 

[growr]

5 grains of Unique always did well by me......if shooting SASS, 0nly 4 with a 158 RN.

Randy

 

[Nevada Ed]

With 158 lead and 160 coated, I would think the pressures would be almost the same.....
and you could use the 158 load data, since yours are target loads and not full loads.

Just make sure the case is belled enough to not shave any coating from the 160's.

 

[colt_saa]

I would simply use the powder and charge that you already are dropping for the 158s you have been shooting

If the existing load makes your power factor now, it should continue to do so with the 2 grain heavier projectiles.

You should not even have to adjust the sights when you change to the new projectile

 

[Tanners Owner]

Thanks for the feedback

 

[mtgianni]

If you have been shooting cast, drop down and come up slowly. I would measure the bearing surfaces of the rn and what you have been shooting. If they are close you should have few problems.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

IMO there is no practice difference between the powder charge for a Cast bullet of 158gr and 160gr when both are the same type.

The Hornady manual shows the same data for the 165gr and 168gr bullets. Such slight differences in weight is not a concern.

 

[Nevada Ed]

If you do shoot the 160 coated bullet...............
I think we would like to see a target on how it does out of that revolver.
Thanks, if posted.

 

[boatbum101]

I'd think that 4.5grs Unique , W231 or 3.5grs BE , HTG would work just fine . Old LY/ID 358311 160gr RN tons of data out there .

 

[Nevada Ed]

I'd think that 4.5grs Unique , W231 or 3.5grs BE , HTG would work just fine . Old LY/ID 358311 160gr RN tons of data out there .

w231 at 675 and HS-6 at 610 fps seem way too slow for me.
My 6" did not get good groups until the bullet hit 750fps.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

w231 at 675 and HS-6 at 610 fps seem way too slow for me...

Maybe dangerously slow.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

w231 at 675 and HS-6 at 610 fps seem way too slow for me.
My 6" did not get good groups until the bullet hit 750fps.

HS-6 best performs at the higher end of it's range. It exhibits sporadic burns at very low end charges especially if you're not using a magnum primer. I would not download HS-6 but have no problems doing so with W231 or the newer W244.

I am curious what the ES is for 10 or more rounds.

 

[TAROMAN]

Worked this up for hunter silhouette.
Shooting a 67-3, got 64 of 80.
CLRN GR:160 Power Pistol GR:6.3 LO:941 HI:969 AVG:955 ES:28 SD:9.07
Federal SP primers.
+P but no pressure issues.
Accurate to 100 yards.