38spcl/357 Mag with HP-38 and LSWC

[Redleg11b]

I opened up my bottle of HP-38 today. I was cleaning the brass from my morning range session and figured why not load a few. I am going with 3.7 grains (Hodgdon max load, but Lyman shows 4 grains). It took a little bit to reset my dies from Magnum, but I am up and rolling. I put the lid back on and am now taking a break. Weighing each charge is time consuming and tedious. I am learning that trickling flake powders can be a bit tedious. Hopefully I will be able to go back out tomorrow and test them over the chronograph and see how well they print. I am looking for a small game load.

I am going to load up 10 each in the Mag starting at 4 grains and going up .3 grains until 4.9 grains (Data from Hodgdon shows 3.4 start and 5.0 max). We shall see how they do. I put 25 Trail Boss loads through the H&R today at 910 fps without leading. The accuracy was not that great though with groups near 1.5" at 50 yards. Hopefully I can get these into half that size.

Either way, it will be fun.


P.S. - I seat each bullet as I fill the case so there is no worry of double charging.

[USSR]

First, HP-38 is not a flake powder, it's a ball powder. Trickling? Get yourself a powder measure. Ball powders go thru powder measures quite nicely and accurately.

Don

[Redleg11b]

Looks like little flat round flakes to me, but if it is a ball powder it could have fooled me. A measure is on my short list of things to get, but my fun budget is tight as a snare drum cover right now.

[rintinglen]

Pick up popcans and get yourself a LEE Perfect Powder Measure from Titan Reloading. It will run you less than forty dollars, including shipping, and it will make life easier.

[Scharfschuetze]

If it'll help, I use HP38 or 231 quite a bit in 357 cases with good results for mid range loads.

My load is:

147 grain truncated cone bullet (9mm design) sized to .358"
357 cases with CCI SP primers
6.0 grains of either HP38 or 231 (depends on which one I have in stock)

Velocity from a 6" Model 28 is 990 fps. Accuracy from a couple of different S&W K and N frame revolvers averages 2" at 25 yards from a rest. Surprisingly for a mid range load, there is quite a muzzle flash from this load. It's not a max load, but the powder just seems to fireball more than Unique does at the same velocity level.

[Redleg11b]

Scharf, thanks for that info. I will be shooting them from an 18" barrel. I wasn't able to get out yesterday, but I will eventually.

[Petrol & Powder]

WW231, AKA HP-38 is one of my primary powders. I've burned so much over the years that I couldn't even make a guess as to how pounds I've gone through. It is my "go-to" powder for 38 Special loads.

HP-38 meters beautifully and I just use a powder measure (usually the one mounted on my Dillon) or occasionally a bench top powder measure. You'll use your sanity if you weigh every single charge when loading handgun cartridges. Another method is to make a powder dipper for the charge weight you desire. A smaller casing, such as a 9mm case, can be filed down until it holds exactly the amount of powder you desire. A small piece of stiff wire can be soldered to the casing to form a handle.

Good Luck

[USSR]

I will be shooting them from an 18" barrel.

Redleg11b,

With a long barrel like that, you will be better served using a slower burn rate powder such as 2400 or 4227.

Don

[Redleg11b]

I do not see load data for those in the Mag for LSWC, but the 4227 Looks good for the Spcl. I have 2400, H110, Trail Boss, and HP-38 as far as "pistol" powders go. I will probably keep the 2400 for Mag J bullet loads or hold onto it for something different. I really want to get this rifle reamed to Max and shoot strictly cast bullets through it (maybe even work up to 180gr or so).

[USSR]

Don't know what you are using for a reloading manual if you can't find good load data for LSWC's in .357 Magnum. Do yourself a favor and get the Lyman Reloading Manual for good lead bullet load data.

Don

[Redleg11b]

I have Lyman 49 and the newer Sierra, as well as online searches and powder manufacturer data. I want something in the 1000-1200 range as a top end. I will try a few combinations for groups over the chrony and see how things pan out. Load development is part of the fun. I will look into the Lyman Cast manual.

[fecmech]

I want something in the 1000-1200 range as a top end.
With your 18" barrel 5 grs of 231/HP38 with a 158 swc will put you right in the middle of what you're looking for, a little over 1100fps.