newton
10-14-2020, 06:10 PM
I made some loads for my 642 using IMR Target and the Lee 158 RF powder coated. Weight comes out to be 161 grains.
Seated to the crimp groove. Heavy roll crimp. OAL comes out about 1.433"
I used the Lee pro disk with the 4.3cc hole, and on my digital scales I am getting anywhere from 3.8 up to 4.0 grain throws.
Put some across the chrony yesterday and was averaging right around 700fps.
Recoil seemed fine. Bonus is it shoots to point of aim with the fixed sights (some other loads I had shot were shooting pretty low).
Going off Hodgdon's website, their 158gr loads with a lead boolit top out at 3.9gr with Target in the standard pressure, and 4.3gr (with the 158gr XTP) in the +P category.
I have no desire to consistently shoot +P through this gun, but this load seems to be spot on for it. I know it's impossible to know for sure apart from actual pressure testing, but does the above data indicate that I am in significant +P territory? I have read a lot on others with the 642 and when they talk about +P loads with a 158gr projectile they say you really notice it because of the lightweight of the gun. It just did not seem to be that significant of recoil to me, and 700 fps seems to be about what these snub nose revolvers average with 158gr loads - maybe even a little on the low side if anything. I did have one shot go across at 742 fps.
My thoughts are that since its a slicked up powder coated boolit, then maybe I am just at the top end of regular 38 special pressures with this load. Plus it shoots dead on at 7 yards which is what I have read the 642 sights are regulated at for 158gr loads.
Thoughts?
Seated to the crimp groove. Heavy roll crimp. OAL comes out about 1.433"
I used the Lee pro disk with the 4.3cc hole, and on my digital scales I am getting anywhere from 3.8 up to 4.0 grain throws.
Put some across the chrony yesterday and was averaging right around 700fps.
Recoil seemed fine. Bonus is it shoots to point of aim with the fixed sights (some other loads I had shot were shooting pretty low).
Going off Hodgdon's website, their 158gr loads with a lead boolit top out at 3.9gr with Target in the standard pressure, and 4.3gr (with the 158gr XTP) in the +P category.
I have no desire to consistently shoot +P through this gun, but this load seems to be spot on for it. I know it's impossible to know for sure apart from actual pressure testing, but does the above data indicate that I am in significant +P territory? I have read a lot on others with the 642 and when they talk about +P loads with a 158gr projectile they say you really notice it because of the lightweight of the gun. It just did not seem to be that significant of recoil to me, and 700 fps seems to be about what these snub nose revolvers average with 158gr loads - maybe even a little on the low side if anything. I did have one shot go across at 742 fps.
My thoughts are that since its a slicked up powder coated boolit, then maybe I am just at the top end of regular 38 special pressures with this load. Plus it shoots dead on at 7 yards which is what I have read the 642 sights are regulated at for 158gr loads.
Thoughts?