That is sound advice and a good explanation, use it and answering the questions will help us help you.For any bullet with a cannelure or crimp groove you seat it so you can crimp into that which gives you the correct OAL for that bullet.
What data did you use? If you are seating deeper than that data then you will have to adjust the max down. The good news is with the big .38 Spl case and the low operating pressure it is much easier to stay out of trouble pressure wise than in some calibers.
What bullet? What powder? What charge weight? What OAL?
So then I guess my real question is how far do I seat a regular round nose bullet when there is no example in the load data for that bullet
Just using the starting data, it’s. 158gn rn fmj bullet no cannelure, titegroup powder, hodgdon shows 3.5gn and oal 1.455” , the load data is with the xtp bullet which is a hollow point and sort of a flat point profile maybe that’s why the oal is listed as shorter.
So then I guess my real question is how far do I seat a regular round nose bullet when there is no example in the load data for that bullet
Are you sure of that 1.58" for the factory 38 Spl. rd? That would be 357 OAL territory. I have doubts the round you measure would fit in a 38 spl. chamber.The hodgon oal load data for 38 special I have says 1.455” I measured a factory round with the same bullet profile and it was 1.58” oal which is what hodgon calls for for 357mag,
Why is this now I feel like my 38spl is set way too deep
One like this typical RN?So then I guess my real question is how far do I seat a regular round nose bullet when there is no example in the load data for that bullet
Just using the starting data, it’s. 158gn rn fmj bullet no cannelure, titegroup powder, hodgdon shows 3.5gn and oal 1.455” , the load data is with the xtp bullet which is a hollow point and sort of a flat point profile maybe that’s why the oal is listed as shorter.
So then I guess my real question is how far do I seat a regular round nose bullet when there is no example in the load data for that bullet
So then I guess my real question is how far do I seat a regular round nose bullet when there is no example in the load data for that bullet
That case on the right looks seriously longer than the one on the left. Is that really a 38 special case? Looks closer to a .357 magnum case.One like this typical RN?
Seat them so you can crimp into the crimp groove, that is your OAL for that bullet. Does your RN not have a crimp groove? Tell us which bullet or post a pic.
Crimp groove shown on the left, and seated/crimped on the right. (Lube grooves are below the case mouth in both pics)
View attachment 859418
View attachment 859420
Yes, I used a .38 Spl case to set the bullet on to show the crimp groove, and a .357 case to show it crimped into the crimp groove, which got them on the same level to make a good pic. I did the same thing with .44 Spl and .44 Mag cases for crimp pics.That case on the right looks seriously longer than the one on the left. Is that really a 38 special case? Looks closer to a .357 magnum case.
I measured a factory round with the same bullet profile and it was 1.58” oal which is what hodgon calls for for 357mag
He said there is no cannular on this 158 gr FMJ bullet.Like everyone else is saying, just seat to the can and you'll be a-ok.
This is correct.OAL is not an absolute.
This statement is in error. Hodgdon is simply Reporting the OAL they used in their test. Just like they Report the weight of the powder and weight of the bullet they used. There is nothing optimal about it. What they are saying is "This is what we did and the results we got. Now go make it work for you." In other words, the information they offer is nothing more than a Lab Report.Hogdon is giving that as an OAL because they have tested that bullet with that charge and determined that 1.455 is the optimal OAL for that round.
Sorry, but Hodgdon (along with Winchester and IMR) are the ones doing the testing. The bullet makers send them free samples hoping their name will appear in the next edition load manual.Edit to Add: That should be 'bullet manufacturer' not Hodgdon that has tested the load and come up with the OAL.
Which bullet are you using that doesn't have a cannelure? Are you sure it's for the .38 Special?Just using the starting data, it’s. 158gn rn fmj bullet no cannelure, titegroup powder, hodgdon shows 3.5gn and oal 1.455” , the load data is with the xtp bullet which is a hollow point and sort of a flat point profile maybe that’s why the oal is listed as shorter.
So then I guess my real question is how far do I seat a regular round nose bullet when there is no example in the load data for that bullet