HP-38 - .40 135 grain Rainier bullet load data help

[lturford]

I picked up some HP-38 powder yesterday – I have 135 grain .40S&W Rainier Platted Bullets in the house – Rainer says to use 10% less then jacketed weights if lead info is not available – Also I believe that HP-38 and 231 are essentially the same powder – This is what I’ve found -

Per Lyman 49th
231 5.5 to 6.7 for a jacketed HP – OAL 1.085

Sierra 135 JHP
231 5.2 to 7.2 – OAL 1.125

Hogdon Powder listed in Complete reloading manual –
HP-38 6.3 to 7.0 for NOS JHP – 1.125

Reloaders Reference
HP-38 135 NOS JHP – 7.0 as the max – so 6.3 to 7.0 – 1.125

So I’m thinking I should be good anywhere between 5.0 to 6.1 with the HP-38 and I should be safe – maybe start at 5.2 or 5.5 – and stay short of the 6.1 –

any confirmation or advise is appreciated -

 

[Walkalong]

5.5 Grs would be a good place to start IMO.

 

[lturford]

Bump -

 

[Lnl45]

Check out their web page for the most up to date info

 

[Lnl45]

Check out winchesters web site you will find both HP and win data.

 

[noylj]

Only data I have is for jacketed bullets. Drop the start and Max by 105 are you're probably good to go.
.40 S&W
Bullet Weight Powder Weight Velocity Start/Max Power Factor COL
JHP 135 231/HP38 5.5 1005 Start 136
JHP 135 231/HP38 6.3 Start 0 1.125
JHP 135 231/HP38 6.7 1185 Max 160
JHP 135 231/HP38 7.0 1244 Max 168 1.125
10% would be 5.0-6.3gn.
The normal recommendation has been to load like lead bullets. This is all the data for 231/HP38 I have for the next heavier lead bullets:
.40 S&W
Bullet Weight Powder Weight Velocity Start/Max Power Factor
L-FN 145 231/HP38 6.6 1259 Max 183

 

[lturford]

Thanks for the replies - I started low with 5 rounds and worked up a few grains and then another few - the accuracy improved as I moved up - it was a little snappier but I did like the heavier loads better - I left a message at Hodgdon and ended up talking to two different techs - the first confirmed the 5.5 to 6.3 - the second thought the higher numbers for the jacketed were fine up to 7 grains of HP-38 - I won't go that high but will experiment in the lower 6's a good bit more -
They also said they were pushing to get lead load date documented - That would be nice -
Thanks again -

 

[BeerSleeper]

I've got a box of rainier 135's ,but haven't loaded them.

I worked up to 6.7 of 231 behind Berry's 135's, and liked that loading alright.