First loaded round by me

[gsc3zny]

Can someone double check my specs? I know it is asking a lot, but I just want to make sure I am right on.

Bullet 158 gr Berrry's .38sp

Weight of empty and deprimed cartridge-4.15 grams .1465oz 64grains

Weight of cartridge with just primer 4.46 grams .1575 oz 68.8 grains

Weight of cartridge w primer and bullet 14.71 grams .519 oz 227 grains

Weight of finished bullet 14.83 grams .523 oz 228.7 grains

That was 2.8 grains of Clays

Total length 1.470

I know its asking a lot for someone to double check, but I just dont want to blow my hand off. thx

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Never in my life did I weigh everything like you did and I have no idea why anyone would. All that data has nothing to do with loading safe ammo except for the weight of the powder charge. Please explain???

 

[gsc3zny]

Well, I guess that would be 2.8 grains of powder than. Clays

 

[rcmodel]

Nobody does that, that way.

If you know the bullet weight is right?
By weighing it.

And you know the powder charge is right.
By weighing it.

And you know your scales are reasonably right?
By weighing the 158 grain bullet.

And you know you seated and crimped to the crimp groove molded into the bullet?
You know the OAL is right of the loaded round.
(you don't have a finished bullet)

And I know 2.8 grains of clays with a 158 lead bullet is too weak to blow your hand off??

Choot'm Lizbet! Choot'm!

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Please understand, we are not making fun of what you did. I just never heard of anyone weighing those things. You are spending way too much time on something that's not important at all. That time would be better spent loading more ammo and then shooting it!

You will do fine, just go shoot them so you know you can...

 

[gsc3zny]

no offense taken, believe me, just nervous on shooting them next week, just want to make sure

 

[gamestalker]

You are way over thinking your approach to this hobby.

The important and relevant elements of reloading 38 special involves the bullet weight, bullet type, weight of powder charge, and primer type, and making sure the data correlates with those components. I don't even give consideration to OAL with that type of cartridge, as crimping in the canelure is considered proper OAL for 38 special.

The rest of the process involves making sure you have usable brass, proper crimp placement, and making sure the primer is seated to below flush, or approximately between .004" to .008" below the case head. Other than that there isn't a whole lot more involved. And regarding all the weights and measures you've included in your post, is of no significance what so ever. Additionally, and in my opinion, even introducing those numbers into the process could complicate an other wise simplistic hobby, which could possible lead to a serious error being committed by you as a result.

GS

 

[stompah]

Rc, I love that guy. Everytime I see him on tv I say choot'em, choot'em! I don't even watch the show anymore.

GSC, I have got to ask. What reloading book did you get this combo from? Did you cross check the load with a second book and then against the powder manufacturer's published info?

I do not ask that because I think you pulled that load out of the air. I question if you have read a reloading manual. If you have read one please do read it again. I fear you are concentrating so much on non critical stuff that you may overload yourself and skip a very important thing.

I will tell you something that my father in law told me when I shared with him my fear of letting his daughter shoot my reloads. "stompah. You know what you put in there, right?". He is right, this was before I ever loaded a round. Since then I double & triple check my load stats, make sure I have the right powder in the hopper, make sure every case has powder, measure my first and last powder throws & several in the middle, and choot'em! Then I chase my brass read it & write down what I see, felt when I shot, what I heard & accuracy.

I am paraphrasing my reloading procedure but I make sure I put the proper amount of powder, proper OAL & proper crimp. In the end those are the most important things I do.

 

[gsc3zny]

I could not find any infor for Jacketed 158 grain .38 bullets, so I was advised on another site that I could use the lead bullet info. The link from the hodgdon page takes me to a load data site, but my specific weight bullets are not there. Just lead, wadcutters and xtp. Is there another specific website to use? I guess I can do some googling. I have the Lee guide to reloading and just ordered the Lyman 49th edition.

 

[gsc3zny]

The Berrys bullets do not have a canelure. Is that the best bullet type to buy? I have bought several calibers that do have one. thx

 

[cja245]

lead and plated / jacketed data is not necessarily interchangeable. Generally a plated or jacketed bullet is going to take a little more powder to do the same thing as a lead bullet.

You can use the data for the 158 gn. Jacketed HP in the Lyman manual. I'm seeing a range of 2.8 - 3.2 gn of Clays. You loaded them exactly where you should.

It would be smart to invest in a more comprehensive loading manual like the Lyman #49 that has more bullet and powder types.

Revolvers are pretty forgiving concerning OAL. If it fits in the cylinder and you're not compressing the powder you're going to be fine.

 

[gsc3zny]

Thanks. I should have my lyman manual early next week. thx for all the advice. I'm sure I will have many more

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

I have actually found, from being nervous too very early on , that as components all come together properly the rounds individualy weigh different. I am sure you will do fine. Have fun.

 

[45lcshooter]

"lead and plated / jacketed data is not necessarily interchangeable. Generally a plated or jacketed bullet is going to take a little more powder to do the same thing as a lead bullet. "

very true!!!!!!!

I hope you being advised to use LEAD data for a JACKETED bullet wasn't a powder manufactures site.

Most gun forums that have a Reloading forum will say something to the effect of CAUTION, LOAD AT OWN RISK.

if your unsure get a couple opinions, on here personally, there are a lot of great people, and their loads are right on the money. Here we hold a reputation