100 gr. Bullets

[Bnowlin48]

Greetings,
I have just started reloading pistol ammo (38 spec. for my S&W Mod. 64 revolver) and I need some advice. I have been given about 1000 - 3-D (brand), 100 grain, lead, double ended, wadcutters.

1. I cannot find any load data for these bullets. I suspect they are years old. Can I use the load data for 110 grain bullets and be safe? I'm using load data from my Lyman, 49th ed., the back of the Lee Dies instruction sheet, and from the Unique data online. Is there another source I should use?

2. The Maximum Length Overall number confuses me. It is obvious the the developed length of the loaded cartridge cannot exceed this length. Is there a Minimum Overall Length? Some accounts I have seen on the WWW show the wadcutter flush with the end of the case and some show the bullet seated to the upper canular (spelling?). Will the correct load data give me some direction regarding the depth of the bullet seat?

Most of my shooting is at paper and I hate the thought of not using these bullets for lack of data, but I'm not going to make a load just to save a few bucks.

Weigh in here all you Load Masters, I need your help!

 

[germ]

Generally, yes you can use 110 wad cutter load data for a 100 wad cutter bullet. Remember, wc's usually seat much deeper than a RN or TC so don't mix the data. Having said that, I realize that I'm used to 160gr wc's and that the 100 is much shorter, and the 38 case has a lot of room (compared to say 9mm). Soooo.... not sure I helped you at all.

 

[Moreno]

I would not be afraid to use the 110 grain load data. I would seat the bullets about 2/3 of their length into the brass, but for me, I would not put them flush. I doubt you will have bullet creep with recoil. If you do work on a crimp.

As always, start low and work up.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[oneounceload]

Try a small batch and see how they do