Velocity Question

[iblong]

Im trying to develop a decent load to shoot IDPA with my Gp 100 38/357
Using 158 gr,lswc.Im new to the sport and am wondering what is conciderd the optimum velocity for this bullet which will still be legall and accurate,I realise that every gun likes some thing best ,just trying to find some kind of reference point to start at.
Thanks,Bob.

[Larry Burchfield]

Try Titegroup from Hodgens or any of the clays versions but start low and work up. I start loading with the info that is wrote on the side of the powder jug (titegroup).
You may want to invest in a chronograph to check the power factor of your rounds. May I also suggust that you use a round nose bullet of the same weight because a RN bullet will load into the cylinders better than a SWC.
Larry Burchfield
SEABEES/RVN/67/68/69
DAV

[rduckwor]

You need a chrono to clock your loads. Trying to do this without one is working in the dark.

For IDPA IIRC, the minimum power floor is 125,000 (bullet weight X velocity). Chronos aren't really that expensive ($85 and up) and they really help work up loads.

Good Luck and shoot straight.

RMD

[VegasOPM]

iblong,
You need to achieve 800 fps to make power factor for IDPA Stock Service Revolver. You should be able to find any number of reloading options that will meet that criteria out of a GP 100. I would shoot for 900 fps just to make sure that you have a good gas seal- so you get less smoke and blow by.

[iblong]

Thanks guys,I know I need a Crony and as its my b-day in a few days I guess ill be buying myself a presant.Getting a little tired of guessing and using a manual for figuring vel.is just that.Im also thinking about giving B.eye or 231 a try with my lead.Ive been loading unique for both my 38/357 and my 1911 and I like the powder but between the powder and the lube it really gums up my 1911 and after a few hundred rounds I get a failure here and there.Im leanning towards 231,any input is wellcome.Will 231 work in my snubs,357 and 45.
Thanks ,Bob.

[Sam1911]

Hi Bob!

Using 158 gr,lswc

Well, first off, once you shoot through your current pile of SWCs, switch to a round nose profile bullet! Your reloads will be slow and frustrating until you do. SWCs are all flat faces and sharp shoulders. Shooting SSR or ESR is all about the reload times and having a bullet that feeds smoothly (remember, you're trying to feed six of them AT ONCE) will make a HUGE difference.

All of the reasonably competitive guys I know shooting .38s are using a very pointed profile bullet, very much like a 9mm FMJ ball round.

Look here: http://www.betterbullets.com/documents/KSS_Pricing.pdf There's a 150 gr. .38 round nose about 1/2 way down on the left. That's the profile most of my shooters are using. Very slick to load. Roger lists them for just over $30 / 500, which is a great price, these days.

SWCs are great for punching nice clean holes, but your scores will suffer FAR more while you're fumbling to speedily reload SWCs than you might ever gain by punching cleaner holes!

-Sam

[iblong]

Thanks Sam,Makes a lot of sence.
Bob.

[Sam1911]

Thanks Sam,Makes a lot of sence.

That was the first thing I learned about revolver shooting when I started with my 629. That first box of SWCs I bought couldn't get used up fast enough! :-)

I wish there were choices for .44 that are as pointy and slick as that 150 gr. .38 is. As it is, the 200 gr. RNFPs I use do have a fairly sizable flat point. They're pretty slick, but the .38s are still faster.

Good luck!

-Sam

[Jim Watson]

You don't need to discard your SWCs or struggle with them in speedloaders. Just load the gun with them to start the stage but get some roundnose for easy reloads.

[Sam1911]

Just load the gun with them to start the stage but get some roundnose for easy reloads.

Fantastic idea! Wish I'd have thought of it back in the day, but I wasn't breaking any records anyway, so it's all in fun.

-Sam