.38 special load check

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Peakbagger46

Peakbagger46

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I just got some new lasercast 125g flat point bullets and loaded them over 5.6 grains win 231. I got the 5.6 grain dose from my speer book for the jacketed loads. Does this load sound OK?
 
maybe :what:

lee gives 3.8-4.8 HP38(W231) for 125gr in both jacketed & lead with 4.8-5.3gr in jacketed for +P

speer#14 hasn't a listing for W231 using 125gr jacketed
 
120 - 125 lead bullets:
Hodgdon gives a 4.8 grain MAX load.
Lyman #49 gives a 5.1 grain MAX load.

Seems like 5.6 grains is OVER a MAX load to me.

rc
 
Arhh... sounds like its time to pull some bullets! I wonder why my speer book lists the load for standard .38 pressure as "5.6g win 231, do not reduce"? This seems to be inaccurate compared to all the other load books posted here... and the Speer book I have is only a few years old (not sure which edition, but has the bighorn skull on the cover).

Anyways, thanks for the catch, I will pull these to be safe.
 
What edition is your Speer book? Speer #8 is commonly referred to as the Magic Book of Spells because the loads are so hot. :D

If your gun is a .357 Magnum or (unlikely) an old .38/44, you can shoot them. Otherwise start pulling bullets (it's good for you.)
 
The book is Speer #13. Come to think of it, the .308 loads from that book are also "hot" when compared to other books. Yes, my gun is a .357.
 
I thought the pressure was lower on cast bullets (less friction), is that not the case? Looks like I still have a lot to learn...
 
You will get higher velocities with lead than with jacketed bullets so leading may be an issue though probably not with Lasercast. However Lead seams to seal better in the bore than a jacketed bullet wich increases pressures. A good rule of thum is that a start load for Jacketed bullets (10% less than Maximum) will be the maximum for lead of the same weight. Reduce 20% from the jacketed load for a lead load start levelto work up from for a lead load and max out at the Jacketed start leve.

If you are shooting in a .357 mag there's little to worry about, if shooting in a light weight or non +P rated .38 spl you could be asking for trouble, not a KB but damage to your firearm if many rounds are shot.
 
That is certainly a hot .38 load, but not too hot IMO. I think a .357 revolver should handle it.

I wouldn't try that load in a lightweight .357. Loads like yours would have me reaching for a N-frame S&W revolver or a Ruger Blackhawk.
 
Finding Maximum Load

This rule applys here " Start low and work up the powder charge." When you have to beat the brass out of the cylinder with a steel rod, you have reached Maximum + + + +:neener:
 
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