Reloader7786
Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2015
- Messages
- 6
I'm trying to work up a load for .38 special 158 Grain Berry's (Plated) FN bullets using HP-38 powder. I'm using Lee dies to include the Lee factory crimp die.
Using 3.2 Grains (min load) was clearly under-powered and keyholed just about every shot.
Using 3.4 was still throwing a large number of keyholes but seemed to shoot fairly accurately otherwise.
Using 3.7 (max for lead bullet) recoil and accuracy is what I'd expect however 7/40 rounds still produce a keyhole.
At 3.7 grains it's within safe limits as Berry's says you can use the FMJ data which yields a max of 4.3.
I'm using the FCD with about 1/3 of a turn of crimp which is slightly less then 1/2. I'd run a couple test batches with different crimps and found the following:
- no crimp, keyholed consistantly
- normal 1/2 turn crimp seemed to have more keyholes then 1/3
- 2/3 turn crimp wasn't accurate, and keyholed and just seemed to be a bad plan
- 1/3 seems to render the most accurate load.
The COAL that I'm using is 1.476"
Synopsis:
Berry's 158Gr .38 Spcial RN Plated Bullets
3.7 Grains Hp-38
CCI Primers
1.476 COAL
There aren't any signs of pressure at this load and recoil is less then most factory loads.
Shooting out of a 2" Ruger SP101, though I've also done the same workup with a 4" Taurus with the same results so it doesn't appear to be related to the gun / leading etc....
Seeking advice on how to rid myself of the keyholes. If it's not obvious I'm new to reloading so go easy on me
Thanks for any help you can provide.
Using 3.2 Grains (min load) was clearly under-powered and keyholed just about every shot.
Using 3.4 was still throwing a large number of keyholes but seemed to shoot fairly accurately otherwise.
Using 3.7 (max for lead bullet) recoil and accuracy is what I'd expect however 7/40 rounds still produce a keyhole.
At 3.7 grains it's within safe limits as Berry's says you can use the FMJ data which yields a max of 4.3.
I'm using the FCD with about 1/3 of a turn of crimp which is slightly less then 1/2. I'd run a couple test batches with different crimps and found the following:
- no crimp, keyholed consistantly
- normal 1/2 turn crimp seemed to have more keyholes then 1/3
- 2/3 turn crimp wasn't accurate, and keyholed and just seemed to be a bad plan
- 1/3 seems to render the most accurate load.
The COAL that I'm using is 1.476"
Synopsis:
Berry's 158Gr .38 Spcial RN Plated Bullets
3.7 Grains Hp-38
CCI Primers
1.476 COAL
There aren't any signs of pressure at this load and recoil is less then most factory loads.
Shooting out of a 2" Ruger SP101, though I've also done the same workup with a 4" Taurus with the same results so it doesn't appear to be related to the gun / leading etc....
Seeking advice on how to rid myself of the keyholes. If it's not obvious I'm new to reloading so go easy on me
Thanks for any help you can provide.
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