Couple 38spl questions.

[billybob44]

thanks for this it worked great. put me at what hornady lists for OAL on every 38 jacketed bullet.

Good deal..For ME..Any factory bullet with a cannalure/crimp groove gets the overall length set to that point.
Straight sided (Mostlly for Pistols) get an "Adjustment" on their OAL...Bill.

 

[thomas15]

I have fired 158gr out of a similar gun before and I wasn't a fan. I was going to practice with it for about 100rds since ive never shot it but 10 times and then maybe run an amateur IDPA course with it just for fun. I figured the lighter bullets would help me with all that but I'm not opposed to 158gr. I'm guessing S&W figured engineer it for defensive purposes hence 158gr.

Not to change the subject as finding a load/bullet combo is worth the effort on a j-frame.

Depending on the model, they can be a handful to shoot. We have two (2) air weight j-frames, I have been tinkering on a load for quite some time.

But, again not to change the subject, if you are considering using it as a BUG in some sort of competition, consider, if you haven't already, changing out the standard stock grips. Just a little more grip really makes the gun a lot more pleasant to shoot. Something along the lines of this: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...grips-s-and-w-j-frame-round-butt-rubber-black

 

[Axis II]

Not to change the subject as finding a load/bullet combo is worth the effort on a j-frame.

Depending on the model, they can be a handful to shoot. We have two (2) air weight j-frames, I have been tinkering on a load for quite some time.

But, again not to change the subject, if you are considering using it as a BUG in some sort of competition, consider, if you haven't already, changing out the standard stock grips. Just a little more grip really makes the gun a lot more pleasant to shoot. Something along the lines of this: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...grips-s-and-w-j-frame-round-butt-rubber-black

I put Hogue of them a few weeks ago. I know its not an ideal gun for matches but i cant buy a new revolver at the moment. I haven't shot the gun in so long cause im cheap and don't want to pay $20 for 50rds but i do remember it was a little stout when it went off so im trying light loads with it.

 

[thomas15]

i cant buy a new revolver at the moment

I know the feeling.

As far as loads go I cannot remember off the top of my head where I was at but I think I was going in the opposite direction, a light bullet with a fast powder. (110g Hornady JHP, 3.4 ish grains TG). Both snubbies in our barn are for my wife and daughter and I want them to get comfortable shooting them with light loads before stepping up to the big leagues. I know some don't agree with this but any gun is better than no gun when what you need is a gun.

 

[Axis II]

I just loaded my first 5 rounds of 38spl with starline +p brass, 3.8gr Hp-38/231 and 125gr Berrys RNFP. I ran into something of question. When I would seat the bullets one side of the case has a dimple/bulge from the base of the bullet but the other sides do not. I am using a lee taper crimp die and figured it would get rid of the slight bulge but it did not. All 5 rounds fall freely in and out. Lee says touch the case mouth and turn 1/2 turn in. I took walkalongs advice of less than that and still get bulge with either way I adjust the die.

1) don't worry about it because it doesn't matter as long as they freely fall in and out of he cylinder?
2) something wrong start over?
3) I worry too much about little stuff?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The bullet is not aligned with the case. How much are you flaring the case mouth? Does the bullet sit firmly and squarely in the case mouth before you run it into the seating die?

 

[Axis II]

The bullet is not aligned with the case. How much are you flaring the case mouth? Does the bullet sit firmly and squarely in the case mouth before you run it into the seating die?

Not much. I still have to hold the bullet while raising the ram.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Not much. I still have to hold the bullet while raising the ram.

Try a little more flair, and get the bullet straight and square in the case before running it into the seating die. Also check that the die and shell holder are square -- getting the die a little too far to one side can cause bulges as the bullet is seated.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Yup, your bullet is starting into the case crooked

For me, enough flare means, I can place the bullet in the case mouth, turn the case upside down and the bullet doesn't fall out

...or you can do what I did and get a Redding Competition Seating die. Bullets are always straight before they contact the seating insert

 

[Walkalong]

When I would seat the bullets one side of the case has a dimple/bulge from the base of the bullet but the other sides do not. I am using a lee taper crimp die and figured it would get rid of the slight bulge but it did not.

The taper crimp die's job is to lightly push in the bell and maybe a little extra, that's all. It cannot straighten out bullets that are seated crooked. Start the bullets straighter. It doesn't matter if you have a sliding bullet sleeve seater or not, they can only do so much. The straighter you start the bullet, the straighter it seats, no matter what seater you have.

Brass that is much thinner on one side can also do this.

 

[Axis II]

Thanks for the help on the bulge guys. I will flare a little bit more. This definitely is different than rifle hand loading ill tell ya.

 

[Walkalong]

Get a Lyman M Die or equivalent copy by Redding or RCBS and/or start the bullets straighter.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Get a Lyman M Die or equivalent copy by Redding or RCBS and/or start the bullets straighter.

The above is what really helped me out