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YellowcatDaddy
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I can see where things like bearing surface and what about crimp on revolver rounds?
What If My Projectile Isn’t Listed in the Load Data
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YellowcatDaddy
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Thanks for all the good info. When I get some loads worked up, can I post that on this thread or just start another one?
.38 Special
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I suspect it is because they are so much harder than lead or jacketed lead.
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.308 Norma
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"Most" and "pretty much" maybe, but there are exceptions. For example, a 150gr .38 caliber wadcutter bullet will have more bearing surface than a 150gr .38 caliber SWC (semi- wad-cutter) bullet.
Yeppers, the truth is, I'd hate to be just getting into handloading right now. And I'm glad I've already got "perfect" loads worked up for most of my firearms, and I'm pretty much stocked up on components for those loads.
Nevertheless, I think things will loosen up soon, and we'll all be able to find the components we need - even if the prices might be a little higher than they used to be. Handloading is a great hobby. I didn't get into it to save money in the first place, and except for a couple of the lesser known cartridges I load for, I can't honestly say handloading has saved me a lot of money.
AJC1
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Realistically bearing surface matters on paper but your only practical indication in 357 is sticky extraction. 38 in the same pistol is waaaaay over if you have any extraction indications. W244 is directly next to unique so would be a great choice for 38 and mid power 357. I'm looking for universal as a single base and skipped 244 as a double base ball. It should be able to get you moving ahead directly. Load a ladder with 244 and find your accuracy load and let us know your results. Target pictures are required.
Blue68f100
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Bad Idea. A good way to stick a bullet in the barrel.
If looking a several resources you can start at the lowest given and work up. I normally take the average. For initial workup I may average the Max load and use that as my Max load. If during testing you see you need to go up, you can but go in small steps as you approach max. Look for pressure signs and back off the at the first indication a few 1/10 grains.
Go the Hodgdon reloading sight & use the 158gr Cast LSWC info & you will be good.
Remember to do a ladder test from the lowest to the highest in equal increments to determine if you will have pressure problems.
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center
Remember to do a ladder test from the lowest to the highest in equal increments to determine if you will have pressure problems.
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center
jebova2301
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Copper is much lighter than lead. As a result, you get one of two options when producing a bullet from pure copper: same size bullet while weighing much less, or longer bullet weighing the same amount.
If you are using a lighter projectile, your load data will change. If you are using a bullet that seats deeper into the case and reduces case capacity, your load data will change.
GeoDudeFlorida
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What else have you got so far?
Can buy or have on-hand?
Can you post a picture of your bullets? Someone here's bound to recognize them.
I'm hoping you have cases, primers, scales, calipers, etc. - post what you've got and we'll try to help figure out what you're missing - both what you need and what would be nice to have.
More information produces better results.
GeoDudeFlorida
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You can be off by up to 10% of the total bullet weight as long as: you start at the minimum load for the heaviest weight, the diameter and material are the same, seating depth is the same, and you are using a powder intended for your application (.357 Magnum data for .357 Magnum cases only, not .38 Special cases). W244 is a target powder, very flexible, but won't be good for most hunting or self-defense loading data; H110 is a magnum handgun/small rifle powder which reacts poorly to minimum loads - don't guess or fudge with H110!
Hope this helps.
herrwalther
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That advice comes from Richard Lee. Whom I suspect has loaded quite a bit more rounds than you. Take it up with him if you think it is bad advice.
Jim Watson
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I have been seeing this on the internet lately.
Posts that The Real Starting Load is really truly 10% below the book starting load which is typically 10% below the maximum. Sounds like an overabundance of caution to me.
Posts that The Real Starting Load is really truly 10% below the book starting load which is typically 10% below the maximum. Sounds like an overabundance of caution to me.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Well, we kinda have to be careful. How many times has someone said straight up they aren't experienced loaders, asked about loading data for some common bullet, and jumped straight to the max published? Then it turns out they up'd it a grain (or two) because they read somewhere published max loads are whimpy these days, etc. and so on...? And that's how we end up with "I have no idea why my gun blew up," topics. None of us can assume the person behind the TV screen actually knows what they're doing.
Bazoo
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Reloading 38 special, 357magnum, and 44 magnum are good cartridges to learn with. They are also generally more forgiving with bullet substitutions, particularly 38 special, but also the magnums at starting loads.
When figuring data for a bullet I have no specifics for, I try to find a similar bullet that takes up the same case volume.
An example, the lee 358-140-SWC, it has nearly the same measurement from the base to the crimp groove as the RCBS 38-150-SWC. Since the latter is a copy of the Lyman 358477, you can use any of the data for either two, as a starting point.
Using this method, you use the closest weight bullet you have data for if you have several of varying weights but similar used case volume. You wouldn't want to use (as example) a 180 grain bullet in place of a 140 grain, even if the used case volume is the same, but if you had a 145 grain bullet you could safely use the 140 grain data.
I collect sample bullets as I encounter them for measuring and as general reference. It helps later on in developing data.
One consideration is, some cartridges are more forgiving than others. 38 special usually has a small charge of powder and an airspace below the bullet. Changing bullets to a different one will change pressure, but to a lesser degree than the same bullet change in 357 magnum, as 357 magnum generally uses more powder with minimal airspace below the bullet.
One thing you can do is ask for help developing a load with your specific components. Someone might have used that combo and be willing to help.
Bullet diameter makes only the slightest difference in pressure. So a bullet of .357 and a bullet of .358 diameters will load with the same data and have the same pressure. Speer manual 2 (I think) has a test in it where they pressure tested 38 with bullets of various diameters (up to .362 if I recall correctly) that shows diameter makes no meaningful difference in pressure.
When figuring data for a bullet I have no specifics for, I try to find a similar bullet that takes up the same case volume.
An example, the lee 358-140-SWC, it has nearly the same measurement from the base to the crimp groove as the RCBS 38-150-SWC. Since the latter is a copy of the Lyman 358477, you can use any of the data for either two, as a starting point.
Using this method, you use the closest weight bullet you have data for if you have several of varying weights but similar used case volume. You wouldn't want to use (as example) a 180 grain bullet in place of a 140 grain, even if the used case volume is the same, but if you had a 145 grain bullet you could safely use the 140 grain data.
I collect sample bullets as I encounter them for measuring and as general reference. It helps later on in developing data.
One consideration is, some cartridges are more forgiving than others. 38 special usually has a small charge of powder and an airspace below the bullet. Changing bullets to a different one will change pressure, but to a lesser degree than the same bullet change in 357 magnum, as 357 magnum generally uses more powder with minimal airspace below the bullet.
One thing you can do is ask for help developing a load with your specific components. Someone might have used that combo and be willing to help.
Bullet diameter makes only the slightest difference in pressure. So a bullet of .357 and a bullet of .358 diameters will load with the same data and have the same pressure. Speer manual 2 (I think) has a test in it where they pressure tested 38 with bullets of various diameters (up to .362 if I recall correctly) that shows diameter makes no meaningful difference in pressure.
Bcwitt
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The relative hardness/resistance to rifling engraving of the bullet raises pressures. Greater resistance requires less charge weight. Lead bullets use less powder than jacketed because they have to or they foul the barrel Copper solids use less powder (then jacketed) because the greater resistance makes the pressure greater per mass. Thus tend to use it more efficiently. Also, a heavy round nose will tend to need a slightly lighter charge than a BTHP for same reason. The rn design requires more material to be cut by the barrels rifling as more of its length is bore diameter then a bthp.
Bcwitt
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If you put 25 grains of whatever smokeless powder on the bench and threw a match in it, it's not very impressive. When you ignite same confined in ordnance steel sealed w brass, that's a different story. Resistance matters.
Blue68f100
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Not really. He is refereeing to when only MAX load is listed. You have to remember those books were written decades ago and quite a few only listed max. All Powder mfg will tell you not to reduce below the stated min. Now there are a few powders than can be downloaded like 40% but those are the exception.
AJC1
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The only two I know are unique and 4895.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Red Dot can also be downloaded safely in some cases - mostly in the smaller capacity cases like .32Long and .38S&W. Red Dot I've gone almost 5% below minimum on .38S&W and got better accuracy with heavy bullets. It's not real finicky. Be careful as always and YMMV...
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YellowcatDaddy
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Thanks. This is good advice.
You can safely assume that I don’t know very much about reloading. While I’m very curious about reloading, I’m also pretty cautious. I’m fascinated by the physics behind what causes over pressures. Like solid bullets need to be loaded specifically to manufacturers data. And others are more forgiving. I appreciate the advice.
RashQuestion
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You're in the right place to be asking questions. A great deal of good information is shared here. Welcome aboard!
No one knows everything that's why asking for any info you need is the best approach! Being curious is good! Being cautious is better!
Try to cross reference all the information you receive and then check it again. I hope you have a couple of manuals (Lyman 50th and Lee just to name two) to research, check and consult. They may not have the exact combo you're looking for but they will provide a guide you can pursue along with asking questions here.
Good Luck & be Safe!!!
Bazoo
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One thing I suggest is get a loadbooksusa one book one caliber manual for each cartridge you load. It doesn't teach you how to load, it offers data from many differnt bullet and powder manufacturers and Lyman and RCBS cast bullet data. Hornady data, speer, nosler. So you can cross reference data easier.
RealGun
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I would save the plated .429 for 44 Special velocities or risk no more than minimum 44 Mag. Should be fine for a target load.
RealGun
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There have been many new names in powders. I would favor keeping up to date with powder companies online loading data or their latest brochure listings.
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