Hollow Point load questions

[theleo]

On another forum a person was asking for loads for a 140 grain bullet at 38 special, 38 +p, and 357 mag levels. Well, what he was considering was a NOE 160 grain RD mold that would cast 140 grain HP's. My advice to him was treat that as though it were a solid 160 grain WFN bullet when looking for data as that is what the bullet design is when using the FN pins. My reasoning being that regardless of what pins you use the seating depth won't change nor would the amount of bearing surface the bullet has on the bore, so for safety sake you don't change the loads between the HP version and FN version. Am I wrong in this point of view? Can you safely up the charge considerably between the FN version and HP version of the same bullet? I'd imagine you could up the charge a little but since the combustion chamber doesn't change it'd be a very minimal increase, if you can at all.

[sigep1764]

Using data from heavier boolits for lighter boolits shouldnt be a problem. Lighter boolits create less pressure when used with a given charge meant for a heavier boolit.

[theleo]

But you wouldn't use data for a 140 grain RNFP interchangeably with that of a 140 grain HP rite?

[Blackwater]

You make a very good point theleo. I used to cast Lee's .357-150-SWC's, and then got the HP version, and I never changed my loads, but the effectiveness seemed the same, unless I cast fairly soft with the HP's and was shooting something small, like armadillos, coons, etc. of that size range. Bullet wt. IS a factor, but only one of several that determines max. loads in reality, and most, especially those new to loading their own, need to hear this. My HP's with the Lee mold came out at 142 gr. with lube and ready to go. The SWC's were a little over 150, and I always used 158 gr. load data for both bullets.

[theleo]

My thought was if the guy used Trail Boss data for a 140 grain RNFP point with the bullets he was talking about he'd compress that load quite a bit and likely ruin his gun. I know all powders are not like that but trial and error wouldn't be fun figuring out which are more sensitive to volume than others.

[carbine86]

charge weight between bullet of the same weight is fine you just need to adjust your coal.

[plainsman456]

Tell him not to compress Trail Boss.

He does and he might be looking at some medical bills and or finding a new rifle.

When loading solid/hollow points i use the same charge but do change up the alloy.
Softer with the hollow points.

[Forrest r]

On another forum a person was asking for loads for a 140 grain bullet at 38 special, 38 +p, and 357 mag levels. Well, what he was considering was a NOE 160 grain RD mold that would cast 140 grain HP's. My advice to him was treat that as though it were a solid 160 grain WFN bullet when looking for data as that is what the bullet design is when using the FN pins. My reasoning being that regardless of what pins you use the seating depth won't change nor would the amount of bearing surface the bullet has on the bore, so for safety sake you don't change the loads between the HP version and FN version. Am I wrong in this point of view? Can you safely up the charge considerably between the FN version and HP version of the same bullet? I'd imagine you could up the charge a little but since the combustion chamber doesn't change it'd be a very minimal increase, if you can at all.

I have several hp molds that are the hp versions of common molds. I've always used the solid nosed loading data for the hp. The load for the hp can always be tweeked after a baseline is established.

A side note:
That bullet may have too big of a hp for the 357. Larger hp's are normally used with loads that have slower speeds. Not my picture but I borrowed because it's an excellent example of hp sizes and their intended uses.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/forrestr-photo/357amp38hp_zpsertllrda.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/forrestr-photo/media/357amp38hp_zpsertllrda.jpg.html)

Same 44cal bullet with different hp's. penta ='s 800fps to 1000fps large hp ='s 1000fps to 1200fps small hp ='s 1200fps to 1400fps

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/forrestr-photo/93019292-24db-4523-9b6a-a1e9713f36e8_zpscuaszhrw.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/forrestr-photo/media/93019292-24db-4523-9b6a-a1e9713f36e8_zpscuaszhrw.jpg.html)

I own several hp molds for the 38spl/357's, some of the more common molds and their weights:
h&g #51 158gr solid/150gr hp
358477 150gr solid/138gr hp
358156 158gr solid/150gr hp
358429 168gr solid/158gr hp
MP 640 170gr solid/158gr hp

Anyway a 20gr hp seems extremely large compared to the "classic" hp's for the 38spl/357's. Typically, 35cal hp's are 10gr and 44cal hp's are 20gr. Just something to think about.

These are the current hp's I use/shoot in the 38spl/357's. When picking a bullet for the 38spl p+ in a snub nosed revolver I use the green bullet (top row 2nd from left). For p+ loads in longer bbl'd revolvers or 357's up to 1200fps I use any of the bullets pictured above except the bullet in the center of the bottom row. That cramer hp from the 40's known as the "hunter" has an extremely small hp that is excellent for hot 357 loads (1200fps to1400fps).

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t242/forrestr-photo/af7bb604-c362-4b49-80b7-cc4676d519ad_zps6wxqrard.jpg (http://s162.photobucket.com/user/forrestr-photo/media/af7bb604-c362-4b49-80b7-cc4676d519ad_zps6wxqrard.jpg.html)