38 spl multi ball load success

[blue32]

I decided to try a 38spl duplex load for my S&W 642. There's a decent amount of posts online regarding the subject and a few videos but I wanted to give a step by step. I had some .375 round balls cast out of range scrap that came out fairly well in a .358 sizing die. I used a flat top punch to keep from gouging the top of the balls too bad. What comes out is a little RNFP weighing about 80 gr. I was initially concerned that they were not sizing concentrically but later felt the offset center of gravity might make them spread a bit more upon firing.

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The next step was assembling two balls together. Using excess lube that had fallen out of my lubrisizer, I dabbed a pea sized amount on the rounded portion of one ball then set another on top to create an otherwise one piece 160 gr. RNFP. This holds the balls together and creates somewhat of a natural lube groove between the two parts. I made a bunch at once so I can load faster on my Dillion.

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To load, run the case through de-prime / priming and charging / belling as usual. I settled on 3.5 gr. Unique as it is close to a starting charge for a lot of the 158 gr. bullets. The balls load like any other bullet. I then crimped near the center of the top ball. My COAL was 1.312" +/- .003".

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Here's the result for five shots at ten yards. The dark spots are globs of lube. Velocity averaged 684 fps, but had a spread of 111. The high was 737 and the low was 625. Decent accuracy for a fun plinking load. I may up it a bit to close the size. I don't know the applicability of a multi ball load other than fun and curiosity, and that's enough for me.

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[ArchAngelCD]

Cool project but the links don't work.

 

[Hondo 60]

Error message says, "You do not have permission to view media within this album."

 

[Walkalong]

Very cool, looks like a lot of work. But who am I to talk, I used to make wax gas checks for a .38 S&W that leaded severely with .358 (Undersized for .38 S&W) lead cast/lubed bullets.

Years and years ago I read about that in G&A (IIRC). Three light "button" WC bullets in .38 brass and four in .357 brass (Again, IIRC, been a long long time).

These 75 Gr WCs from Matts Bullets should work for this. May be other sources as well.

 

[ewlyon]

Interesting load. I have tried the same thing using an 80gr wadcutter sold by Rim Rock under a Lee SWC that dropped at 110gr from my mold. Tested in a +p rated LCR I got decent results over a relatively stiff charge. The bullets would hit about an inch or two apart from each other. Accuracy was good considering that I can't shoot snubnoses well, all 10 impacts went into about a 6" group at 10yds. Recoil was strong but not intolerable, and did not pull the bullets from the case at all when fired in my LCR.

 

[blue32]

The pictures are not supposed to have links. I don't know why it showed up that way. I'm on the fence about attempting a 3 ball load. 240 gr. is a tall order for 38 spl so I may have to obtain some 000 buck to get it more to 38/200 levels.