Vectan A1 .38 Special load data

[redrooster]

Looking for some help with Vectan A1 load data in .38 Special. I'll be using 158 gr. cast SWC. I've found the load data from Vectan's website, but there isn't a load listed with a SWC. I'm not familiar with some of the nomenclature they are using on the bullet specs. I have a good idea of where I can start conservatively, but was curious if any of you have worked up loads and if you've found a max charge weight for the powder with 158 gr. SWC. I'm mostly worried about accuracy...not top speed, but being that the burn rate is a little slower than unique (which I normally use) I would assume it's going to like being loaded at a higher pressure.

Thanks.

[jonp]

Use the search function with vectan. There are several threads including one where i posted a few links to sitelike tiropratico.com

[jonp]

http://www.armerialsa.it/ricarica%2038%20sp.htm
http://www.tiropratico.com/ammunition/pagine/38sp.html
http://www.tiropratico.com/ If you look under the banner there are 4 boxes with the far right one being "grande database...." hit that and at the top there is a list of calibers in ranges. Hit the list and scroll through to the one you want. If you do this you will end up at the link listed above.
http://www.tiropratico.com/htm/tabelle_comparative_polveri_2011.htm This is one of the nicest compilation of burn rate charts I've run across with powders like Lovex and Nobel along with the bottom charts listing the powders, popular uses and what they are ie. flake, extruded etc.

This last link is one I've used for a starting place (-10% of course) and does list A1 with a 158gr lino boolit. I've never tried it but I have found some of the other loads listed good for a starting point with other powders and boolits. It also has a link to other pistol as well as rifle calibers at the site (http://www.lhs-germany.de). Use at your own discretion. http://www.lhs-germany.de/uploads/media/38Spcl.pdf

. This chart: http://www.gswagner.com/bigreloading/components/powderburnrate.html puts it right in the range of Herco/Power Pistol/Universal and SR 7625. Be aware that charts are a rough guide only.

[redrooster]

Finally got around to some load testing in .38 Special using Vectain A1 and 158 gr. SWC cast (SNS coated) bullets. I started at 4.6 grains and worked up in .2 gr. increments to 5.4 gr. It gave the best groups at 5.0 gr. I didn't have any trouble, but use at your own risk. I thought it might help others establish a starting load and range to work with. I need to find someone with a chrono and find out the velocity at 5.0 gr. I'd like to get up to a mild +P load (similar to Skeeter Skeltons "thinking man's +P" with Unique). I may try to go a little higher and see what happens to the groups.

[redrooster]

Just a follow-up to help others working who may be working with Vectan A1 in .38 Special. I recently bought a chronograph and tested the 5.0 gr. of Vectan A1 with an SNS coated 158 SWC load against my standard load of 5.0 gr. Unique with the same bullet. Out of a 2 1/4" Ruger SP101 chambered in .357 magnum, the Unique load averaged 822 fps. The A1 load averaged 896 fps. It was moving faster than I expected and I'm not sure where the pressure level is. I'll probably back off until I hit about 850 fps out of my SP101. The Vectan A1 shot string was very consistent and metered well from my RCBS Uniflow with large drum. It also burned cleaner than the Unique loads.

Edit to add: All loads were in PMC .38 Special brass with CCI 500 primers.

[primersp]

A1 works well with 45acp and shotshell on 32 grammes of lead or lessHère the vectan Aserial are thé l'ESS extensive of thé vectan brand