hp38/w231

[brucecomfort]

I wanted to load cowboy loads or on the lighter side. I bought Hp38 cuz thats all I could find/loading 38 spl. and 44 spl. I was amazed by the lack of load data available the load Im probably going to go with for 38 spl. is 158 gr. rnfp using 3.1 gr. of hp38 data shows it will move at 782 fps. I was hoping to find even lighter. keep in mind I just bought 500 158 gr. rnfp cowboy bullets anybody have any thoughts

[Bazoo]

Howdy. I don’t see that there is a lack of load data for 38 and 44 specials with hp38. I have a load books manual for each of those calibers.

[rbuck351]

The 3rd edition Lyman cast bullet handbook shows a 148gr wad cutter with 2.5grs of 231 at 600 fps and 6,600 CUP and 4.1grs at 957 fps and 16,000 psi. There may be issues with 231 at very low pressures but a 158gr should produce a bit more pressure than a 148gr and still be within safe pressure at 2.5grs. I think the reason there is little load data for very low velocity loads is that most people don't use 231 for that purpose. Bullseye has been the normal powder for very low fps 38spl loads. I believe and extra 10 grs of bullet will be safe in any low pressure load of 231. This is just my opinion and I have done no testing with very low charges of 231/Hp38 so take this for what it's worth.

[country gent]

Look in older manuals I have noticed a lot of the older go to powders are being reduced dripped from newer manuals to make room for the newer

[Rapier]

Reason to buy older and various reloading manuals and read them, then buy older molds, like the plain base 125-158g Lyman molds. To broaden your reference library and expand your options is a very good idea at the present state of affairs. Plain base 38 Spl bullets are an excellent place to start casting, old cast iron pan, pour ladle, cake pan lube, push through dies, etc. That is how I started in the early 60s.

[dannyd]

Here data out of Lyman pistol and revolver manual. Be careful not to go to low with you rifle because round may not make out of barrel but you think it's a miss instead.

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