38 Special 158 Gr. Bullet Mistake

[Barmcd]

I load Berry's 38 Special 158 gr. plated FN bullets. Today, I inadvertently bought Berry's 158 gr. plated HP bullets instead. I'm thinking I can load the HPs the same as the FPs?

 

[Walkalong]

Shouldn't be an issue, unless you're loading at/near max, then you'll need to back off a little and work it back up.

 

[Anchorite]

Shouldn't be an issue, unless you're loading at/near max, then you'll need to back off a little and work it back up.

Exactly

 

[Barmcd]

Shouldn't be an issue, unless you're loading at/near max, then you'll need to back off a little and work it back up.

Exactly

It is at max in the Hornady manual. I'm using the data for a 158 gr lead SWC and using 4.4 gr of HP-38. Its supposed to deliver 850 fps out of a 4" barrel and I'm getting 750 fps out of a 6" barrel. Using the data for a 158 gr Hornady XTP I'm about midrange. Those velocities are closer to what I'm getting than the lead bullet data.

 

[Walkalong]

Sounds like you are OK, but I would back off, load a few, work up with a few each step.

 

[Palladan44]

And make sure to only crimp enough so that the cartridges drop into the cylinders, or just a touch more. Plated bullets like as little crimp as possible.

 

[Bazoo]

I think you're okay. Wouldnt hurt to work up again, but... provided the bullets do not set deeper, I probably wouldn't myself. That said, I'm comfortable and familiar with both 38 Special and W231.

 

[Barmcd]

Sounds like you are OK, but I would back off, load a few, work up with a few each step.

I was trying to avoid that, but dropping back to the next lower load wouldn't be a big deal.

And make sure to only crimp enough so that the cartridges drop into the cylinders, or just a touch more. Plated bullets like as little crimp as possible.

I don't crimp Barry's bullets much. I've deconstructed a few mistakes and there's barely a line on the bullet.

I think you're okay. Wouldnt hurt to work up again, but... provided the bullets do not set deeper, I probably wouldn't myself. That said, I'm comfortable and familiar with both 38 Special and W231.

Thanks, I guess I'll drop back one load and run the chronograph to see what's what.
,

 

[Rodfac]

So long as the crimp groove is the same for both bullets (meaning the shanks will be seated to the same depth), you should be ok. I've used your stated load (4.4 gr of Win 231) for decades with no issues on any number of lead alloy bullets and some jacketed as well with no issues. YMMv and backing off a cpl tenths of a grain then working back up is always sound advice. Rod

 

[Barmcd]

Well, I did a little research. Berrys says the length of the 158 gr. FP is .636, but I measured ten of them and they are all .647. They don’t list a length for the target HP, but I measured .677 on ten bullets. Berry’s calls for the same COAL for both, 1.430. I’ve been using 1.450 which hornady calls for, both for lead and jacketed bullets. I would have thought the longer bullets would result in a longer COAL.

 

[tominboise]

Well, I did a little research. Berrys says the length of the 158 gr. FP is .636, but I measured ten of them and they are all .647. They don’t list a length for the target HP, but I measured .677 on ten bullets. Berry’s calls for the same COAL for both, 1.430. I would have thought the longer bullets would result in a longer COAL.

They are probably seated deeper to maintain the same OAL. Personally, you can seat them out some, to fit the length of your cylinder. Just not so long as to protrude past the front of the cylinder.