powder charge for .38 Super - 95 gr head

[flexible]

Hi everyone; flexible, just got done loading up a bunch of .38 Super and ran out of heads but I have lots of brass left. I have lots of 95 gr. heads for my wife's .380.
I use Blue Dot in Starline Super Comp to make major and I was thinking of using up some of the 95 gr heads I have.
Has anyone loaded Starline Super Comp brass with .380 95gr (full jack) and Blue Dot?
Doesn't have to make Major just want to know if it might make a good practice round.
The gun is a Colt 1911 customized for .38 Super with a fully supported barrel.
thanks
flexible

 

[Reloadron]

The Hornady 9th for 38 Super does show some load data for the .355 diameter light bullets but the use of Blue Dot doesn't show up till they get to the 120 grain bullets having a 0.355 to 0.357 bullet diameter. My older Speer #12 does show Blue Dot for 100 grain JHP bullets with a Start of 9.6 grains working up to a maximum load of 10.6 grains with the maximum 10.6 grains being a compressed load. Have I ever tried it? Nope, never tried it. I don't see why it wouldn't work for a 95 grain FMJ bullet but as to how well? I haven't a clue.

Ron

 

[Stumper]

Speer #11 shows a max of 11.5 grains of Blue Dot with a 95 grain FMJ.

Just a little advisement-In cartridge nomenclature the head is always the portion of the cartridge case that is closest to the bolt/breeching surface or recoil shield(revolver). That is where the HEADSTAMP is, providing identification and information about the cartridge. It doesn't make total sense that the MOUTH is the opening in the NECK yet the neck is on the opposite end of the case BODY as the HEAD but that is how the terminology developed.

 

[Reloadron]

Speer #11 shows a max of 11.5 grains of Blue Dot with a 95 grain FMJ.

Just a little advisement-In cartridge nomenclature the head is always the portion of the cartridge case that is closest to the bolt/breeching surface or recoil shield(revolver). That is where the HEADSTAMP is, providing identification and information about the cartridge. It doesn't make total sense that the MOUTH is the opening in the NECK yet the neck is on the opposite end of the case BODY as the HEAD but that is how the terminology developed.

Yeah, I thought about that too but let it go. Since assumptions are not really a good thing in reloading or hand loading I should have mentioned the correct nomenclature and naming conventions.

Ron

 

[Walkalong]

The gun is a Colt 1911 customized for .38 Super with a fully supported barrel.

I have a Springfield like that, and old retired single stack "race gun" I got cheap for what it was. I like to run 124/5s at 130050ish. I have some 90 JHPs I run fast in 9MM (Nowhere near major, standard pressure) and have been meaning to try some in .38 Super for fun, but haven't yet. I would likely use 3N37 though.

That Speer data should be relatively safe if you work it up like you would normally do. Should be a flame thrower.

 

[flexible]

thanks everyone, I really appreciate the feedback. I'll start loading at 9.5 of Blue Dot and work my way up I'll have to put fresh batteries in my chronograph; also thanks for the tip about 3N37, looks like a very interesting powder - especially with my Blue Dot almost gone.
thanks & happy loading to all
flexible

 

[flexible]

Well, the 95 grain .380 bullets in my .38 Super with 9.8 grains of Blue Dot didn't work - did not get full function. The load is compressed and I didn't want to 'squeeze' any more in. I might have to get some 3N37 if I want to use the 95 gr. bullets.
thanks
flexible

 

[flexible]

BTW, does anyone have a charge weight for .380 caliber 95 grain bullets in .38 Super Starline Supercomp brass with 3N37 powder?
thanks
flexible

 

[Reloadron]

I can't speak for the VihtaVuori 3N37 but years ago I was using their N-340 under 90 grain bullets in 38 Super and liked it. Seeing around 5.5 to 6.9 grains for a Hornady 90 grain XTP 0.355 diameter bullet. I never got above 6.6 grains of N-340 and it cycled my old Colt Series 70 gun just fine. Bullseye was another powder I liked in 38 Super.

Ron