[ID_shooting]

Howdy gang,

I am looking to do a huge amount of plinking ammo in .38 spl. I will be using IMR Trail Boss, Laser Cast 148g WC DBB SGG bullets, and CCI standard pistol primers. My old IMR and Laser Cast books do not show this mis (too old for the Trail Boss)

I was wondering if somone would look in thier books and see if they have the charge range and COL handy.

Thanks in advance!

[Jim Watson]

From the Hodgdon site
148 GR. HDY LHBWC
Trail Boss
Start 2.0 gr 625 fps 15,100 PSI
Maximum 2.3 gr 675 fps 15,700 PSI

I doubt the Laser Cast wadcutter will perform much differently from the Hornady. But that is what the fine print about starting loads and working up is about.

COL is whatever you get when you crimp a revolver bullet in the groove provided.

[Steve C]

I'd use a bit more powder with a solid base double ended WC, as there's no skirt to expand they're essentially the same as any solid base bullet. Trail Boss data on line at http://data.hodgdon.com/ (Hodgdon distributes IMR powders) says 2.7 to 4.2 grs for a 158gr cast SWC so you have some room to grow the load.

Before you load up a bunch I'd check to see if you get any leading with your loads in your pistols. Hard cast bullets often do not seal the bore well with loads too light to obdurate the base. This allows the combustion gases to pass by the sides of the bullet melting lead and depositing it in the bore. Commercial cast bullets may not be sized right for your pistol or the cylinder throats may be to small on your gun.

If you do get leading you can reduce or eliminate it by lightly lubing your bullets with Lee Liquid Alox in addition to the lube the factory put on them.

[Stinger]

I'm on board with Steve. These bullets are too hard to fully obturate with such low velocities. The harder the bullet, the harder it is to remove it from the barrel afterwards. If this doesn't bother you, go right ahead.

OT makes good boolits (yeah, I used it, I've seen it so often around here lately that I've decided to change my own spelling.) I use some in cowboy loads and they lead but it doesn't bother me too bad. Accuracy (on paper) is as good as softer boolits :neener: it just takes longer to clean afterwards.