I'd like to get some input.....
I shot my first .38 S&W loads today. The pistol is a Colt Police Positive; 4" barrel. Manufactured in 1912. 145gr MBC Hi-Tek coated bullet - .361 diameter.
Hodgdon's site shows 2.2gr - 2.5gr of HP-38. I've had to load these cartridges short to get them to fit. (Hodgdon documents 1.200" and I loaded them to 1.145".)
I loaded up 2.2gr and 2.3gr. The 2.3gr performed most consistently velocity wise. Average (only over 6 shots) was 670 ft/sec. Hodgdon's data shows their 2.5gr load achieved 630 ft/sec.
Is that speed too fast? I think I'm concluding it's OK, but might be a little on the high side. Based on some Googling I think I'm concluding 670 for the 145gr is in line - but I'd be interested in thoughts from folks around here.
Thanks!
OR
I shot my first .38 S&W loads today. The pistol is a Colt Police Positive; 4" barrel. Manufactured in 1912. 145gr MBC Hi-Tek coated bullet - .361 diameter.
Hodgdon's site shows 2.2gr - 2.5gr of HP-38. I've had to load these cartridges short to get them to fit. (Hodgdon documents 1.200" and I loaded them to 1.145".)
I loaded up 2.2gr and 2.3gr. The 2.3gr performed most consistently velocity wise. Average (only over 6 shots) was 670 ft/sec. Hodgdon's data shows their 2.5gr load achieved 630 ft/sec.
Is that speed too fast? I think I'm concluding it's OK, but might be a little on the high side. Based on some Googling I think I'm concluding 670 for the 145gr is in line - but I'd be interested in thoughts from folks around here.
Thanks!
OR