38 Special Light load Hodgon Universal

[ultralightbackpacker]

A few months ago, I loaded up some 6 grain universal in 357 brass, with JHP 125 grain. Looking for a lighter 357 magnum load, it hits relatively hard, pretty accurate as well from my 6" SW 686 and fun to shoot out of a rifle. Now I want to make a 38 special SUPER light round but still use my 357 cases. Easy enough right? Hmmm.

Now looking in the Speer Load Manual #13, page 521, 125 grain JHP, it lists maximum universal grain at 5.6, and has a DO NOT REDUCE for this round (No minimum listed). The few pages before this go into, with jacket bullets Do Not Reduce because projectile may get stuck in barrel, especially rifles? Come on really?

I was hoping to use Winchester JHP 125 grain (I have thousands of these). I really wanted to start out at 4.0 grains of Universal for a super light recoil, do you really think the projectile would get stuck because of using Jacketed projectiles? I would rather not shoot straight lead, I hate to clean leading.

Perhaps my manual is a "bit" dated?

Thanks boys!

 

[rcmodel]

NO, they are not dated on that information.

Jacketed bullets have higher bore friction then grease lubed lead bullets.
Other factors are how smooth your bore is, and the barrel / cylinder gap gas loss.

Hodgdon shows the 125 grain XTP with Universal starting load of 4.7 grains giving 872 FPS at 8,700 CUP.

You don't want to go any lower pressure then that!

If you want lower velocity you need a faster powder to really "bump" it up to full speed.
3.5 grains Clays starting load for instance will give you 843 FPS at 12,400 CUP.

rc