COL question

[stonebuster]

I reloaded my first 38spl rounds today. Xtreme copper plated 158 grain flat points with 4.0 grains of HP-38. Now I've noticed my COL is 1.4410 and may be under the minimum. Berry's 158 grain FP COL is listed at 1.450 and Hodgdons lists the 158 grain XTP jacketed at 1.455. Maybe I seated them slightly too deep? I planned on trying them in the GP100 tommorrow but don't know if they're safe to shoot. What say the experts here?

 

[Ironicaintit]

You should be fine. I do not know that powder though.

you only loaded the one weight of powder? if I’m tinkering with a new load, I usually have 5 or more increments I’m trying

 

[glockgod]

Look good from here. Maybe a tad more crimp. Take one and push it nose first into the edge of the bench to see if it moves

 

[Neutron Boy]

I think you will be fine, you are talking 1/100" or less. Remember that the GP100 is a strong revolver.

 

[stonebuster]

You should be fine. I do not know that powder though.

you only loaded the one weight of powder? if I’m tinkering with a new load, I usually have 5 or more increments I’m trying

This is my first time reloading so I'm not very adventurous yet. HP-38 is the same as W231. I'll try them in the GP100 instead of the model 10. Thanks for the help.

 

[fxvr5]

Is your GP100 chambered in 38 Special or 357 Magnum?

 

[Cokeman]

I reloaded my first 38spl rounds today. Xtreme copper plated 158 grain flat points with 4.0 grains of HP-38. Now I've noticed my COL is 1.4410 and may be under the minimum. Berry's 158 grain FP COL is listed at 1.450 and Hodgdons lists the 158 grain XTP jacketed at 1.455. Maybe I seated them slightly too deep? I planned on trying them in the GP100 tommorrow but don't know if they're safe to shoot. What say the experts here?View attachment 963488

Where did you get the data showing Berry’s at 1.450?

 

[stonebuster]

Where did you get the data showing Berry’s at 1.450?

Ruger.net At the top of the forum list "e library". Scroll down to Berrys plated bullet COL. Gives a PFD download from Berrys mfg.

 

[Cokeman]

I loaded some 158 gr FPs the other day and went with 1.475” because that’s all I could find. It was on the Hodgdon site.

 

[Walkalong]

At .38 Spl pressures combined with large capacity, that small change in OAL won’t hurt

 

[buck460XVR]

For revolvers, using a cannelured bullet, you always crimp to the middle of the cannelure. Listed OAL in your book is moot other than a reference point. If it fits in the cylinder you are good to go. Since we always start low and work up, the insignificant change in case capacity is also moot. 4 gr of W231/HP38 is low on the ladder, you will be fine.

 

[FROGO207]

I generally seat to the center of the cannalure and crimp. I also work up the load for safety reasons.

 

[243winxb]

Xtreme copper plated 158 grain flat points with 4.0 grains of HP-38.

4 grs is over Hodgdon maximum for lead. Under for jacketed. Should be ok in a 357 mag revolver?

 

[lordpaxman]

Maybe I seated them slightly too deep?

From the picture it looks like you were aiming for the middle of the cannelure? Different bullets have varied profiles and even if you have published data the COL may or may not work in your firearm.
Extreme does have a load manual if you want to purchase it.
Given your picture, and looking at the Hodgdon load data for the XTP, that’s where I’d start as well. HP38/231 is a reasonable powder to work with unlike TG where seating depth needs to be worked on very carefully. I have Rainer FPs that are a bit shorter COL and haven’t had any issues in a 686.
Firing first loads, especially in a handgun, always comes with a bit of trepidation. Good luck.

 

[rfwobbly]

• 4.0gr of HP38 (aka Winchester 231) is a standard load for 158gr jacketed in 38Spcl.
• Your GP100 is designed to take nearly twice the chamber pressure of a standard 38. So pressure concerns, when used in that gun, are zero.

 

[stonebuster]

Thanks for all the feedback to this total rookie. I've had advice on this forum every step of the way and today is range day. I've been reading manuals and everything I could find to the point it got overwhelming with so much to learn. Finally sitting at the press after making the adjustments, it was easier than I thought. I enjoyed sitting at the press yesterday and cranking out some rounds during the snow storm. I'm going to enjoy this hobby after I get over the jitters.

 

[rfwobbly]

I've been reading manuals and everything I could find to the point it got overwhelming with so much to learn. Finally sitting at the press after making the adjustments, it was easier than I thought.

Agreed. Like the dollar investment, there is a huge learning curve to start. The best thing I can tell you is to GO SLOW and study modern manufacturing. In effect, you have now become an ammunition factory, and so, just like Ford and GM, you need a Process and a Quality system. Both of these will be revised a lot in the early days. Both of these depend upon copious note taking. Let your mantra be: No one is smart enough to remember it all, so write it down. Get a notebook, then fill it up !

I enjoyed sitting at the press yesterday and cranking out some rounds during the snow storm. I'm going to enjoy this hobby after I get over the jitters.

• Those first few rounds are the most frightening. (I considered duct taping my gun to a tree and standing back with a string ! ) But they are also the most satisfying !
• Resist the urge to load large amounts. Work on accuracy loads which only require ~5 rounds at each incremental step. Hold back on production until you know which load produces the smallest groups in your gun. Like Ford and GM, don't go into production mode until you have a "winner".

Don't ever let your guard down, keep on learning.

 

[AJC1]

As a matter of history and process my lyman 45th edition manual does not even list oal. The process is to use the minimum load and any oal that is determined by dummy round function test. This is true of every reload. Older manuals provided the reason and process in the front matter writing which is important to not only read but understand. The "whys" in reloading are important.