.38 Special Load w Unique-plated RNFP

[benedict1]

I have a bunch of copper plated RNFP .356 bullets and I want to load light target loads with Unique and WSPs in the .38 Special.

I have searched the loading manuals and don't find much but I have a hint--about 4.0 gr, maybe a little less, would work.

What have you guys got out there?--

 

[Steve C]

Bullets with .356” diameter are for loading the 9mm. Though you can load them in .38 spl cases the resulting accuracy will often be less than ideal depending upon how tight the bore of your .38 is. You don’t say what weight the bullets are that you intend to load so I can’t comment on your proposed load of 4.0grs. You can always use load data for the next heavier bullet if you can’t find a load for the specific weight you intend to shoot. Use data for lead bullets when loading plated bullets. For light weight 9mm bullets like 115 or 125gr check the cowboy data as they list lighter bullet loads.

Check for load data at http://www.alliantpowder.com

 

[ChristopherG]

I knew a guy down SC way that loaded plated .356 bullets for a (.357) 686 with good results. If you want accuracy, I'd go toward the higher end of recommended LEAD loads in the appropriate bullet weight.

Since you didn't specify bullet weight, of course, there's no way we can actually recommend a specific charge.

 

[benedict1]

I am sorry! I was half asleep when I posted--

Bullets weight 158 gr. and they are .357" not .356"

Sometimes I wonder if I should be allowed to have a reloader--

Actually, I am very careful when loading. When posting I need retraining--

Now that you have "the rest of the story" please give me a little advice.

 

[Norm Lee]

Unique target load

3.4 grains of Unique behind that 158 gr bullet should get you a pleasant shooting, accurate target load. Also good for lead bullets of that weight.

Cheers,

Norm

 

[Sunray]

My old Lyman book gives 3.5 to 5.4 grains of Unique for that cast bullet weight.

 

[ChristopherG]

Bullets weight 158 gr. and they are .357" not .356"

Well, shucks, that's just a plain old .38 bullet, no mystery about it.

In my experience with plated & lead bullets, you need to increase a lead load by 5-10% to make up for the increased friction of the copper plating--that is, to get the same velocity from the same weight lead bullet, you need to increase the charge a bit (without going over max recommended charge, of course). Here's what one major manufacturer of plated bullets says:

We, at Rainier Ballistics, recommend using lead bullet load data when loading our bullets. There is no need for adjustment when using lead bullet load data. Our bullets are jacketed using an electroplating process and are softer than traditionally jacketed bullets; hence the recommendation to use lead bullet load data. If you only have access to traditionally jacketed load data, we recommend reducing maximum charge by 10%. A roll or taper crimp may be used with our bullets; do not over crimp.

 

[benedict1]

Thanks to you all. This is very helpful.