.38 Special with 125 gr. LEE RF Suggestions

[Shiloh]

I purchased this mold for the 9mm as most 9mm boolits drop to small for my liking.
I have settled on a load for the 9mm and am now moving on to the .38

I have several Lyman books and found nothing specifically for this boolit, but other loads which give me a place to start. Just like I did for the 9mm.

Here is the Alliant data.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipePrint.aspx?gtypeid=5&weight=125&shellid=8&bulletid=9&bdid=15&oal=1.45

Thought I would start at 5 gr. of Unique and move up from there.

Any other suggestions?? Any experience with this bullet or load??

Shiloh

[Wally]

Great bullet in the .38 Special--I use 4.0 grains of Bullseye or Red Dot...and get around 1.000 FPS. Very accurate. I don't care for it in the 9mm Luger--Lee's 120 TC is a better choice IMHO.

[Shiloh]

Great bullet in the .38 Special--I use 4.0 grains of Bullseye or Red Dot...and get around 1.000 FPS. Very accurate. I don't care for it in the 9mm Luger--Lee's 120 TC is a better choice IMHO.

I have LEE's 120 gr. TC. It is too small. The 125 gr. RF is more accurate.
Ever used Unique?? I'll probably try Bullseye as well, but wi start with Unique.

Shiloh

[Wally]

Unique will work---4.5 ~ 5.0 grains...

[GabbyM]

Lymans new 4th edition book has that 125 grain Lee bullet listed.

[fishnbob]

I have LEE's 120 gr. TC. It is too small. The 125 gr. RF is more accurate.
Ever used Unique?? I'll probably try Bullseye as well, but wi start with Unique.

Shiloh

I use Unique in the 38 all the time. I load from 4.5 to 5.3 on 125 gr boolits, or JHP. You ever consider "Beagling" the Lee 120 gr TC to pick up a coupla thousands?

[Shiloh]

I use Unique in the 38 all the time. I load from 4.5 to 5.3 on 125 gr boolits, or JHP. You ever consider "Beagling" the Lee 120 gr TC to pick up a coupla thousands?

I might try beagling it this fall. It is the perfect candidate for it that's for sure.
Right now it is hot and heavy into the shooting season. Emphasis on hot.
91 degrees today and muggy.

Shiloh

[Wally]

I might try beagling it this fall. It is the perfect candidate for it that's for sure.
Right now it is hot and heavy into the shooting season. Emphasis on hot.
91 degrees today and muggy.

Shiloh

What is the "as cast" diameter...what alloy do you use? Mine casts out at .3575~.358" with WW alloy.

[Shiloh]

I'll have to see if I have any in the scrap bucket. I'm sure all of them went back into the pot. IIRC they were about .3567 at the seams and less across the mold THis was with 50/50
Range lead/WW. The only boolit that drops large enough is the LEE 125 gr. 2R. It'll make
.3582 at the seems. I run through a .358 sizer and it just kisses them. They shoot fine.


Shiloh

[quilbilly]

4.6 gr of Unique will give a load similar to a +p in the 38. I use that boolit in my 357 and my 9mm Luger T/C carbine which has a 357 bore.

[Shiloh]

4.6 gr of Unique will give a load similar to a +p in the 38. I use that boolit in my 357 and my 9mm Luger T/C carbine which has a 357 bore.

From my own data records, and what I have found in my various load books, I think I will start at 4.7 gr. of Unique rather than 5. Then work up from there.

SHiloh