Dudedog Thanksgiving PIF journey

[vaalpens]

I finally made time to revisit the 100gr bullets I received from Dudedog. The plan was to test them with a load from a while back that seemed to performed better. I'm not sure if I just have a difficult time finding the right combination with the light bullets, or if there is something else going on.

With the test I did this weekend I actually had a couple of failure to feed. Interesting that I would experience them now for the first time, but it could be since I replaced the recoil spring after about 5k rounds.

Following are the results from the testing. You will see that the lowest charge always grouped the best, and then it deteriorated. The Xtreme 100gr deteriorated much more, so I think it is probably getting to the 1200fps limit due to its thin plating. The RMR bullet grouping also deteriorated, but not as bad as the Xtreme.


9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: PPU
COL: 1.010"
Xtreme, 100gr, RNFP, AutoComp, 5.6gr, GINEXSP
Average: 1112
ES: 60
SD: 24.8
Force: 275
PF: 111
Velocities: 1128, 1148, 1088, 1095, 1105
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.68"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: PPU
COL: 1.010"
Xtreme, 100gr, RNFP, AutoComp, 5.7gr, GINEXSP
Average: 1130
ES: 43
SD: 18.9
Force: 283
PF: 113
Velocities: 1146, 1138, 1119, 1103, 1146
Grouping @ 15yd: 2.04"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: PPU
COL: 1.010"
Xtreme, 100gr, RNFP, AutoComp, 5.8gr, GINEXSP
Average: 1149
ES: 35
SD: 14
Force: 293
PF: 114
Velocities: 1147, 1128, 1161, 1163, 1147
Grouping @ 15yd: +6"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: PPU
COL: 1.010"
Xtreme, 100gr, RNFP, AutoComp, 5.9gr, GINEXSP
Average: 1210
ES: 51
SD: 20.7
Force: 325
PF: 121
Velocities: 1235, 1227, 1184, 1201, 1203
Grouping @ 15yd: +6"
Test Date: 02/11/2018


9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: PPU
COL: 1.040"
RMR, 100gr, HMRNP, AutoComp, 5.6gr, GINEXSP
Average: 1134
ES: 47
SD: 18.9
Force: 285
PF: 113
Velocities: 1140, 1119, 1133, 1163, 1116
Grouping @ 15yd: 0.99"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: PPU
COL: 1.040"
RMR, 100gr, HMRNP, AutoComp, 5.7gr, GINEXSP
Average: 1168
ES: 49
SD: 21.7
Force: 303
PF: 116
Velocities: 1183, 1143, 1192, 1148, 1176
Grouping @ 15yd: 1.06"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: PPU
COL: 1.040"
RMR, 100gr, HMRNP, AutoComp, 5.8gr, GINEXSP
Average: 1171
ES: 43
SD: 17
Force: 304
PF: 117
Velocities: 1192, 1183, 1170, 1149, 1162
Grouping @ 15yd: 2.43"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

9mm, SP2022, 3.9"
Case: PPU
COL: 1.040"
RMR, 100gr, HMRNP, AutoComp, 5.9gr, GINEXSP
Average: 1226
ES: 17
SD: 7
Force: 334
PF: 122
Velocities: 1215, 1232, 1226, 1225, 1232
Grouping @ 15yd: 3.46"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

I have a few more of the Xtreme 100gr bullets from Dudedog and I think I am going to try a faster powder at a lower velocity. For now the plan is to revisit HP-38 and target a velocities between 1000fps and 1100fps.

 

[CKweigand]

How are you calculating force?..working on writing up my own ruberic for my “bullseye pistol” loads.

Btw, you have some of the most detailed write ups I’ve seen. Excellent resource for any hand loader at any experience level IMO.

Keep up the good work. I look forward to reading more from you.

 

[vaalpens]

How are you calculating the force and and power factor?... working on writing up my own ruberic for my “bullseye pistol” loads.

Btw, you have some of the most detailed write ups I’ve seen. Excellent resource for any hand loader at any experience level IMO.

Keep up the good work. I look forward to reading more from you.

Thanks for the kind words.

Power Factor = (bullet weight in grains * average velocity fps) / 1000
So for the last load listed it is (100 * 1226) / 1000 = 122600 / 1000 = 122.6

The force = (bullet weight in grains * average velocity fps ^ 2) / 450435
So for the last load it is (100 * (1226 ^ 2))/ 450435 = 150307600 / 450435 = 333.6943

 

[vaalpens]

I kept these beauties for last and was hoping that I would be able to do justice to the look and qaulity of the bullet. These are the RMR 38cal 125gr round nose plated hollow point bullets. I loaded them using BE-86 purely because I have seen some good accuracy with other plated bullets using BE-86.

The accuracy I saw was good, even though I think it should be better since the 3" SP101 is definitely not a revolver for target shooting, especially with the non adjustable sights it has. Hopefully one of these days I'll get a target 38spl revolver that will be able to take a scope. Only then will I be able to provide some accuracy test results that could be used in the decision making process.

Thanks again to Dudedog for sending me these bullets. These bullets look good, the load cleanly and they shoot well. These are plated bullets with the thicker plating, so they should also do well with heavier 357magnum loads.

38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: RP
COL: 1.447"
RMR, 125gr, RNPHP, BE86, 5.2gr, WSP
Average: 736
ES: 114
SD: 45.2
Force: 150
PF: 92
Velocities: 816, 721, 719, 726, 702
Grouping @ 7yd: 0.88"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: RP
COL: 1.447"
RMR, 125gr, RNPHP, BE86, 5.3gr, WSP
Average: 723
ES: 82
SD: 31.7
Force: 145
PF: 90
Velocities: 695, 708, 714, 721, 777
Grouping @ 7yd: 1.54"
Test Date: 02/11/2018


38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: RP
COL: 1.447"
RMR, 125gr, RNPHP, BE86, 5.5gr, WSP
Average: 772
ES: 83
SD: 32.1
Force: 165
PF: 96
Velocities: 751, 782, 783, 732, 815
Grouping @ 7yd: 0.66"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: RP
COL: 1.447"
RMR, 125gr, RNPHP, BE86, 5.7gr, WSP
Average: 808
ES: 50
SD: 22.3
Force: 181
PF: 101
Velocities: 794, 788, 795, 838, 826
Grouping @ 7yd: 0.95"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: RP
COL: 1.447"
RMR, 125gr, RNPHP, BE86, 5.9gr, WSP
Average: 842
ES: 18
SD: 7.9
Force: 197
PF: 105
Velocities: 846, 836, 848, 833, 851
Grouping @ 7yd: 0.87"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

 

[Dudedog]

Excellent write up as always.
Glad you had fun with the bullets.

 

[Iroquois]

Nice testing on the bullets as usual. Appreciate you sharing the information. If you got more to shoot and test keep them coming!

 

[vaalpens]

Nice testing on the bullets as usual. Appreciate you sharing the information. If you got more to shoot and test keep them coming!

Thanks. I don't have any more of the RMR 38cal bullets, but I have some 100gr Xtreme bullets and Berry's 148gr plated HBWC bullets that I also received from Dudedog. They were actually part of my 45acp thread https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...bigness-of-it-all.831433/page-3#post-10740033, but I will probably share the results in this thread since they are not 45acp bullets.

 

[vaalpens]

In y previous post I alluded to some more bullets I received from Dudedog which was listed in my I really just see the bigness of it all thread. Since they are non 45acp, I think it makes sense to share the results in this thread.

I have not done a full workup with the Berry's 148gr plated HBWC bullets yet, but just did one load to get some idea what velocity will be reached, and if I will have any issues with a stuck bullet. There is not much data for these plated HBWC bullets, so it is just baby steps to get a feel of it, and then try and find the most accurate load.

I did one load in HP38, but still need to decide if I want to stay with HP38, or try 700X or Bullseye. I am leaning towards 700X at the momemt. Following are the results from the single load I tested. I'm not sure if the flyer was me or the load. Please note that the velocities are very low, but I had no stuck bullets.


38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
Berrys, 148gr, HBWC, HP38, 3.5gr, WSP
Average: 592
ES: 55
SD: 24.9
Force: 115
PF: 87
Velocities: 561, 573, 616, 616, 595
Grouping @ 7yd: 1.34"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

 

[Iroquois]

Thanks. I don't have any more of the RMR 38cal bullets, but I have some 100gr Xtreme bullets and Berry's 148gr plated HBWC bullets that I also received from Dudedog. They were actually part of my 45acp thread https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...bigness-of-it-all.831433/page-3#post-10740033, but I will probably share the results in this thread since they are not 45acp bullets.

I would be interested to see what the accuracy results are concerning the 148gr HBWC plated Berry’s. I have been shooting the Speer 148gr HBWC, full lead, with great success and no leading. I have been loading them in .357 cases as mild target loads. It would be nice to see some results in the plated HBWC. Again, great job and thanks for sharing your results.

 

[kidneyboy]

I have had the Berry's 148gr HBWC on my list of bullets to try for a while now so I'll be watching this with some interest. The Hornady lead 148gr HBWC over 2.8gr of Bullseye has been a standard 38sp load for me but I'd like to get away from handling lead.

Thanks for all the excellent work ups!

 

[vaalpens]

I would be interested to see what the accuracy results are concerning the 148gr HBWC plated Berry’s. I have been shooting the Speer 148gr HBWC, full lead, with great success and no leading. I have been loading them in .357 cases as mild target loads. It would be nice to see some results in the plated HBWC. Again, great job and thanks for sharing your results.

Thanks for the kind words.

Don't expect too much from my accuracy testing using the 3" SP101. My load test will hopefully provide usable chrono data, but accuracy will only be as good as I can shoot. I have tried to find some data on the plated HBWC bullet, but data is difficult to find and it seems most loaders didn't get the accuracy result they were looking for when shooting the plated HBWC bullet.

 

[vaalpens]

I have had the Berry's 148gr HBWC on my list of bullets to try for a while now so I'll be watching this with some interest. The Hornady lead 148gr HBWC over 2.8gr of Bullseye has been a standard 38sp load for me but I'd like to get away from handling lead.

Thanks for all the excellent work ups!

Thanks for the comments. I have tried the DEWC coated bullets, but seemed to have seating issues. These plated bullets really load well and are consistent. I will try and get the best out of them accuracy wise, but my accuracy testing is limited with the 3" SP101.

 

[vaalpens]

Sorry for this late post, but I finally tested the last of the Berry's 148gr HBWC plated bullets. Thanks again to Dudedog for PIFing these bullets to me. As stated before, I did not expect any super accuracy from my testing, but at least it should be add some data point for somebody else looking into loading these bullets. Following are my observations regarding these bullets and the testing:
-The bullets seat very easy and is a pleasure to handle
-I did find that there was no consistent feel when seating these bullets, which probably means that neck tension was not consistent throughout the loads. I used same headstamped cases, so it could be a bullet or case issue.
-Retaining the same aiming point during shooting on the vertical or horizontal is not the same for me, so I tend to find the horizontal center easier to focus on than the vertical center. This I think accounts for some vertical stringing which I take into consideration when I evaluate my groupings.

Having gotten all the excuses out of the way, following are the test results:


38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
Berrys, 148gr, HBWC, HP38, 3.5gr, WSP
Average: 623
ES: 41
SD: 17.3
Force: 128
PF: 92
Velocities: 632, 642, 610, 601, 633
Grouping @ 7yd: 0.92"
Test Date: 03/04/2018

38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
Berrys, 148gr, HBWC, HP38, 3.6gr, WSP
Average: 600
ES: 66
SD: 27.3
Force: 118
PF: 88
Velocities: 613, 565, 579, 614, 631
Grouping @ 7yd: 1.54"
Test Date: 03/04/2018

38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
Berrys, 148gr, HBWC, HP38, 3.7gr, WSP
Average: 650
ES: 132
SD: 51
Force: 139
PF: 96
Velocities: 569, 701, 674, 637, 672
Grouping @ 7yd: 1.61"
Test Date: 03/04/2018

38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
Berrys, 148gr, HBWC, HP38, 3.8gr, WSP
Average: 644
ES: 57
SD: 22.2
Force: 136
PF: 95
Velocities: 635, 671, 660, 614, 643
Grouping @ 7yd: 1.16"
Test Date: 03/04/2018


38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
Berrys, 148gr, HBWC, HP38, 3.9gr, WSP
Average: 681
ES: 87
SD: 31
Force: 152
PF: 100
Velocities: 683, 640, 683, 727, 674
Grouping @ 7yd: 0.95"
Test Date: 03/04/2018

38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.250"
Berrys, 148gr, HBWC, HP38, 4gr, WSP
Average: 665
ES: 51
SD: 21.1
Force: 145
PF: 98
Velocities: 683, 687, 667, 654, 636
Grouping @ 7yd: 1.55"
Test Date: 03/04/2018

 

[kidneyboy]

Thanks for the report and the work vaalpens. I'll have to give these a try.

 

[vaalpens]

Thanks for the report and the work vaalpens. I'll have to give these a try.

Thanks for the kind words and good luck with them.

Going through my bullets today I realized I had 5 of these HBWC bullets left. I will probably just load them with 3.9gr of HP-38 and do one final test just to verify the previous results and see if I can do something about the vertical stringing.