will 1/10 grain increment have noticible effect on accurcy?

[1magi]

I am loading for 50" indoor bulls eye using Oregon cast 158g LSWC bullets and Unique powder in my SW 14-3.
Speers manual #14 shows starting at 4.0 to a max of 4.7. I was thinking of loading 4.0, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6 to test for accuracy. would there be any advantage to testing loads at each 1/10 grain increment? In my mind it doesn't seem like 1/10 of a grain would make a noticeable difference.Thanks much for any input... 1magi

 

[1magi]

I am loading for 50" indoor bulls eye using Oregon cast 158g LSWC bullets and Unique powder in my SW 14-3.
Speers manual #14 shows starting at 4.0 to a max of 4.7. I was thinking of loading 4.0, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6 to test for accuracy. would there be any advantage to testing loads at each 1/10 grain increment? In my mind it doesn't seem like 1/10 of a grain would make a noticeable difference.Thanks much for any input... 1magi

 

[John R]

1/10 of a grain will make a differnce when you get close to max loads.

What your doing is fine, Start looking for pressure signs as you go.

 

[pownal55]

read my post. i hope you have better results with that bullet than i did. please let me know.

 

[1magi]

Thanks to both of you although I read pownal55 post and it doesn't look hopeful; same bullet, powder and gun! I will post results. 1magi

 

[TiroFijo]

In my experience it is better to work up loads in 0.2 grain increments, and you will seldom see any consistent accuracy difference anyway. Of course, this is assuming we are not at the edge of a safe load, but that is hardly the case with a 38 spl.

When you test the loads you have to be SURE the accuracy difference is due to the load and not you, pretty difficult unless you use a test machine or are a superb shooter.

 

[Beans]

Check the paperwork that came with your scales Beam or digital.

On my scale paperwork its states they guarantee accuracy " to 1/10 of a grain"

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
If the correct powder is used then the
difference of .1 or .2 or even .3 gr
will be hard to find on the target at 50 ft.
A lighter to medium load that burns cleanly
and is in the sweet spot is what you are looking for.
Try this Load a mousefart load and a +p
or a mag load with the same bullet,
and put it on target- look at the difference
in impact and the group size.
You maybe suprised.

 

[Steve C]

What your doing is fine, Start looking for pressure signs as you go.

Never see pressure signs in the .38 spl until you are well beyond .357 mag pressures. The only work up in the .38 spl is for accuracy. Light loads will often make primers look like they're flat but that's not form over pressure.

The Oregon bullets are pretty hard and with any .38 spl load you may have leading as they're too low in pressure to obturate the bullets base enough to seal the bore.

Personally I use the Oregon Bullets in the .357mag at full mag pressures and velocity. For the .38 spl I use the softer Speer, Remington or Hornady swagged bullets. Got tired of cleaning lead out of the .38's from hardcast bullets.