38 special defense load

[NSP64]

Playing around with round balls in 38 special. I have loaded 1&2 ball loads ove .360 cal RB's with dismal results. Did not get ball seperation untill 20+ yards.
Back to the library with a new roll of paper.

Bulb goes on.

I load three .310 cal round balls (140 gr) .
I know under sized
Top pick is wrapped in alum tape to have push fit in sized case, crimped on last ball.2 balls one hole, not much spread between third.

Middle pic is wrapped in printer paper then alum tape around ball in mouth then crimped on alum tape. 2 balls one hole, not much spread between 3rd

Bottom pic I tried wrapping in printer paper to have press fit in sized case. Twisted paper on both ends. Crimped on last ball.4" spread
Loaded all of these over 3.5 gr of win231.
Range trip.
Pouring down rain. Range all to my self.
60885
60886
60887


AND the range was 4 feet!!!!

Will load more and crony and move out further to check for max spread.

[45 2.1]

You might try uniformly squashing those 0.310" RBs in a 0.360" sizer to flatten top and bottom with a band left on the sides leaving a small radius between top/bottom and sides. You might get 4 in and you will probably see some different results.

[NSP64]

Back to the range today.
61517
Same 3 ball load at different distances.POA red center
Shot 1 @ 3 yrds Triangle centered
Shot 2 @ 8 yrds Rt 8 ring, upper left 7 ring, lower left 8 ring
Shot 3 @ 12 yrds Strung vertically rt side
Shot 4 @ 18 yrds Lower left 9 ring, left 6 ring of,f bottom 2 "

500 fps for 24 ft lbs per ball.
will increase powder charge, next time and may shoot a rack of l
pigs ribs to test penetration