vaalpens
Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2014
- Messages
- 2,618
I have started reloading 38/357 over the last few weeks, and started my reloading using bullets I received in a PIF from Dudedog. These bullets have been a great help to me finding my feet and helping me to decide what bullets I want to buy going forward.
I am at that point now where I need to make some decisions regarding bullet purchase, but my results, even though consistent is not helping with the decision. My testing so far has not been perfect since I am still trying to come up with a target that gives me enough contrast at 10+ yards with the Ruger SP101 sights, to allow me to remove most of me as an influence on my accuracy testing. I'm not there yet, so the groupings are not great, but at least it gives me an idea of what I can expect regarding POI.
Please note that all the testing below was done at 10yards with standard Ruger SP101 sights and a 3" barrel. The POA on all these targets are aligning my sights just below the 2" x .25" white. The pink paper was just to see if I can use the same target as what I use for my other guns.
First up is the MBC 158gr coated SWC 18 Brinell bullet. My reference load is 3.5gr of Bullseye in a 38special case, and I can see it is where I want it to be, with a little bit of fine tuning to come. No problem with the POI of these loads.
Second up is the MBC 140gr coated Cone 18 Brinell bullet. My reference load is 3.6gr of Bullseye in a 38special case. The grouping of this load is getting close to where I want it, with one flyer, but the POI is starting to be a little bit lower.
Third up is HSM 125gr plated FN bullets. These bullets have shown some good accuracy, but the POI is about 2" below where it should be. The reference load is using 5.5gr of BE-86 in a 38 special case.
Fourth and fifth are two different loads using the RMR 125gr plated HP bullet. After shooting the first load, I wasn't sure if I was aiming at the top or bottom target, even though it should have been at the top target. So for the second load I aimed at the top target again, with basically the same results. The grouping you see are 10 shots aiming at the top target. The POI is 3.5" to 5" below the POA.
I understand that some of results are due to me, but it seems that the plated lower weight bullets tend to shoot low. I'm not sure if this is due to the load, the crimp or gun, but this is a bit puzzling to me, especially since I don't have much experience loading 38/357.
As always, and comments or advice will be highly appreciated.
I am at that point now where I need to make some decisions regarding bullet purchase, but my results, even though consistent is not helping with the decision. My testing so far has not been perfect since I am still trying to come up with a target that gives me enough contrast at 10+ yards with the Ruger SP101 sights, to allow me to remove most of me as an influence on my accuracy testing. I'm not there yet, so the groupings are not great, but at least it gives me an idea of what I can expect regarding POI.
Please note that all the testing below was done at 10yards with standard Ruger SP101 sights and a 3" barrel. The POA on all these targets are aligning my sights just below the 2" x .25" white. The pink paper was just to see if I can use the same target as what I use for my other guns.
First up is the MBC 158gr coated SWC 18 Brinell bullet. My reference load is 3.5gr of Bullseye in a 38special case, and I can see it is where I want it to be, with a little bit of fine tuning to come. No problem with the POI of these loads.
Second up is the MBC 140gr coated Cone 18 Brinell bullet. My reference load is 3.6gr of Bullseye in a 38special case. The grouping of this load is getting close to where I want it, with one flyer, but the POI is starting to be a little bit lower.
Third up is HSM 125gr plated FN bullets. These bullets have shown some good accuracy, but the POI is about 2" below where it should be. The reference load is using 5.5gr of BE-86 in a 38 special case.
Fourth and fifth are two different loads using the RMR 125gr plated HP bullet. After shooting the first load, I wasn't sure if I was aiming at the top or bottom target, even though it should have been at the top target. So for the second load I aimed at the top target again, with basically the same results. The grouping you see are 10 shots aiming at the top target. The POI is 3.5" to 5" below the POA.
I understand that some of results are due to me, but it seems that the plated lower weight bullets tend to shoot low. I'm not sure if this is due to the load, the crimp or gun, but this is a bit puzzling to me, especially since I don't have much experience loading 38/357.
As always, and comments or advice will be highly appreciated.