Looking for some guidance

[Warners]

You should never start with the Max listed charge weight on any load. That 4.3gr charge weight on the .38 Special is the Max charge recommended for a Hornady XTP bullet. Berry's bullets are plated and you should use less powder than a jacketed bullet. If you don't want to use lead bullet data at lease use the starting charge weight for a jacketed bullet with according to Hodgdon is 3.8gr HP-38/W231.

Your .45 Auto load looks just fine.

Thanks. I checked Hodgdon's site and you are correct. I got the load from another website and then checked the data on Hodgdon's site. Hodgdon also lists a +P load for that same bullet that calls for 4.6 gr of powder, so I'd probably be okay with 4.3 as I'm shooting these out of a .357 magnum revolver. I will likely use 4 grains and see how it goes first, though. Thanks again!

Warner

 

[Warners]

Well, I shot some of my first reloads yesterday at the range. I ended up with 5.2 gr of the HP-38, which is a middle of the road load (max is 5.5) They shot well and I'm happy with my first reloading attempt. I was extra careful - checked the powder weight at least every 10th round and measure OAL (1.265") regularly. Once the dies are set though, the OAL seems to say very consistent. Powder was always within .05 grain from what I found.

Warner

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Well, I shot some of my first reloads yesterday at the range. I ended up with 5.2 gr of the HP-38, which is a middle of the road load (max is 5.5) They shot well and I'm happy with my first reloading attempt. I was extra careful - checked the powder weight at least every 10th round and measure OAL (1.265") regularly. Once the dies are set though, the OAL seems to say very consistent. Powder was always within .05 grain from what I found.

Warner

It feels great to shoot your own ammo, doesn't it?

I see you got the same accuracy of powder throw as most of us do with that setup. You're right, once set the dies do produce repeatable accuracy.

 

[Warners]

It feels great to shoot your own ammo, doesn't it?.

Yeah, it does! I have to admit though with this being my first real reloading that squeezing the trigger the first few times made me really HOPE that I got everything right. As much as I was careful and researched what to do, there's always that beginner's doubt. Thankfully it all went well. Thanks for your help.

I see you got the same accuracy of powder throw as most of us do with that setup. You're right, once set the dies do produce repeatable accuracy.

Hahaha...yeah, I think that's about as accurate as that powder system will get. That's fine for me, as I will be doing pretty simple, mid-level loads just to shoot a little cheaper. I'm sure that I'll have loftier goals down the road, but that it for now.

 

[Striker Fired]

Warners;
If you think squeezing the trigger on your first rounds was a little nerveracking,you should try it sometime for a wildcat caliber that has little to no data to go by,just a computer program that "predicts" what will work.

 

[Warners]

Warners;
If you think squeezing the trigger on your first rounds was a little nerveracking,you should try it sometime for a wildcat caliber that has little to no data to go by,just a computer program that "predicts" what will work.

Hahaha....I can only IMAGINE, Stiker Fired....

Warner