It's Fun To Fail!

[harley45]

In my continuing quest to develop a 38 special load with the MP 125gr Hollow Point, I have gone to a 50/50 mix and loaded the max load with Blue Dot. I chronoed these and only got a very disappointing 700fps. Shot some milk jugs yesterday and the slug went thru 4 and is just starting to show some signs of expansion. I believe I have 2 choices here. Softer alloy or more velocity. Time to switch powders I think!

[Hamish]

Will be paying attention, as have planned to use this boolit in the wifes snubby to replace the 148g HBWC. I have wondered about having to dig into the pure,,,,

[harley45]

I think a bit more velocity will do it just gotta get more milk jugs emptied!

[dubber123]

I get over 850 fps. with a 162 HP from a 1-7/8" S&W and excellent, repeatable expansion. 1/2 WW, 1/2 pure. AIR COOLED. Ditch the Blue Dot, too slow. I prefer Bullseye for my snub. http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh83/dubber123/IMG_3149.jpg (http://s254.photobucket.com/user/dubber123/media/IMG_3149.jpg.html)

[williamwaco]

You will get better velocity with a faster powder.

Shoot that load after dark and you will see why.

+1 on Bulls Eye

[**oneshot**]

In my 38spec loadings I have found the faster powders worked better in both snub and 6" barrels. I guess it needs the faster kick in the butt with the lower pressure.

[harley45]

I was thinking hs6 but I have some bullseye to............

[MtGun44]

5 gr of Unique under a 358429 HP at 8 BHN (range scrap) does VERY well from a j-frame snub,
accurate and to the sights, too. An Alliant recommended max load of Power Pistol (6 ish?) was too
violent with this alloy, made noticeably higher (unchronoed) velocity.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=52430&d=1307446037

Bill

[williamwaco]

5 gr of Unique under a 358429 HP at 8 BHN (range scrap) does VERY well from a j-frame snub,
accurate and too the sights, too. An Alliant recommended max load of Power Pistol (6 ish?) was too
violent with this alloy, made noticeably higher (unchronoed) velocity.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=52430&d=1307446037

Bill


4 1/4 inch penetration in what?

[MtGun44]

Wet newspapers. Extensive comparison testing shows that this medium gives exactly
the same expansion as ballistic gelatin and almost exactly half the penetration.
I push a rod in and measure to the base of the boolit in place, so add about 1/2-3/4 to the
front for "actual penetration", then double it for ballistic gelatin.

So, expect about 9.5 to 10" of penetration in 10% ballistic gelatin - which is considered to
be a pretty good analog for meat.

This is about as good as it gets with the .38 Spl, based on a lot of testing of factory ammo
and other handloads. Probably a small improvement could be made with a harder alloy or
smaller HP and using a max load of Power Pistol. I tested this one with that load and it
blew the front end off. OTOH, maybe that would be just fine - effective early damage and
the cylindrical full wadcutter section penetrated about 5" in wetpack, so at least 10-11 inches -
a bit of the "Nosler partition" effect.

Bill

[williamwaco]

Wet newspapers. Extensive comparison testing shows that this medium gives exactly
the same expansion as ballistic gelatin and almost exactly half the penetration.
I push a rod in and measure to the base of the boolit in place, so add about 1/2-3/4 to the
front for "actual penetration", then double it for ballistic gelatin.

So, expect about 9.5 to 10" of penetration in 10% ballistic gelatin - which is considered to
be a pretty good analog for meat.

This is about as good as it gets with the .38 Spl, based on a lot of testing of factory ammo
and other handloads. Probably a small improvement could be made with a harder alloy or
smaller HP and using a max load of Power Pistol. I tested this one with that load and it
blew the front end off. OTOH, maybe that would be just fine - effective early damage and
the cylindrical full wadcutter section penetrated about 5" in wetpack, so at least 10-11 inches -
a bit of the "Nosler partition" effect.

Bill


thanks.

That is excellent performance from the .38 Special

[harley45]

I think my BHN is good just gotta bump the velocity a bit! Then onto the 10mm HPs

[MtGun44]

Try working up to a "book max" load of Power Pistol. GOOD STUFF if you want velocity in .38 Spl while
staying inside the pressure limits.

William - when the S&W 340 .38 Spl is carried for real, that is what is in it. The Cobra gets factory 158
versions of the same thing. The problem is the S&W will not shoot the factory accurately or anywhere
near the sights, but the Colt will. The ultralight Smith puts that load right on top of the front sight
into a 2" group at 10 yds, where ALL factory tried were WAY off the sights, like 10-18" high or low
with various factory stuff. Spent a bundle on fancy-pants factory ammo proving that. As I have
said repeatedly, each gun is a thing unto itself.

Bill

[williamwaco]

Try working up to a "book max" load of Power Pistol. GOOD STUFF if you want velocity in .38 Spl while
staying inside the pressure limits.

William - when the S&W 340 .38 Spl is carried for real, that is what is in it. The Cobra gets factory 158
versions of the same thing. The problem is the S&W will not shoot the factory accurately or anywhere
near the sights, but the Colt will. The ultralight Smith puts that load right on top of the front sight
into a 2" group at 10 yds, where ALL factory tried were WAY off the sights, like 10-18" high or low
with various factory stuff. Spent a bundle on fancy-pants factory ammo proving that. As I have
said repeatedly, each gun is a thing unto itself.

Bill

And! That's the truth!

[Low Budget Shooter]

Harley, I cast from 50:1 or so, and used 4.9gr W231, and it mushroomed great in wet paper through two layers denim.

[harley45]

Wow 50:1

[MtGun44]

pure with 2% tin, should case nicely.

Bill