Got the press back up.....

[ljnowell]

Well guys, I am finally back to 100% on the reloading front. We just bought a new house last month and moved. Somehow in the process of moving someone messed with my Lee Turret and half stoked it then lowered the ram, stripping out the ratchet pretty good. I reloaded a little bit in single stage, but only 50 rounds.

I got my new ratchets in the mail today and got it all set back up. I loaded up a few different 357 loads. The first is my standard 158gr LSWC (357 Action) loaded over 14.5gr of 2400.

The second load is a new one for me. I am sure its safe, just not sure if it will lead up or not. I normally load the 148gr DEWC over 3.1gr of AA#2. The book max for a 38 special load is 2.9. I decided to bump it up and see what the effects would be. I loaded them up this time to 3.4gr of AA#2. I am curious to see what the effect will be on the load. At 3.1 it burned clean and was accurate but I am curious to see if it will get better. If not I will walk my way down towards 3.1 again.

 

[ljnowell]

Took them out today for a spin in the woods. The new load of 3.4gr of AA#2 under a 148gr DEWS(Missouri Bullet PPC#2) fired through a S&W 686-3. They were just as accurate as the 3.1gr load, no real difference there. There was no leading to be found. I also found that the recoil was a little greater, which was a good side effect, my son was getting bored with the others. The best part is that they now shoot a little closer to the POI of the 158LSWC load with 14.5gr of 2400. Before they were about six inches apart, now they are about three.

I have yet to find load data for AA#2, a DEWC, and 357 cases. If anyone else is interested, these loads both worked pretty well.

 

[Caliber]

How far did you seat the PPC#2 in the .38 case? What ended up being your OAL in the end?

I'm looking to load the same with 3.1gr of HP-38 ..

Thanks

 

[ljnowell]

I have been experimenting with that actually. At first I was loading them to the crimp groove leaving the small amount of lead exposed. They shot great that way, but I like to tinker. I loaded them down to nearly flush now and put a very, very slight crimp over the top shoulder of the bullet. Its nearly a taper crimp, just the smallest touch of a roll. I found a little better accuracy this way out of both 38 and 357 cases. I still find the 2.8gr charge of AA#2 to be the most accurate charge. I havent used hp38/w231 in these loads before, but I am sure you will find a good load with that powder.