JimGun
Member
I have just started loading .38s since buying my Ruger LCR.
In my Speer Reloading Manual #13 it states, regarding loading .38 Special, “Lead bullets are best for loading standard pressure .38 Special. . . jacketed bullets create more resistance than lead and can actually stick in the barrel/cylinder. . . to avoid these problems we are showing jacketed bullet data only for 110 and 125 gr. bullets. Note that these loads are marked “DNR” meaning “do not reduce.”
For the 125 gr. JHP bullet they give only one load for WIN. 231 - 5.6 gr. for 944 muzzle velocity.
On the Hodgdon Powders website for .38 Special it gives the following for WIN 231: min. load - 4.3 grs. for 826 muzzle velocity 13,300 CUP
max. load - 4.9 grs. for 944 muzzle velocity 16,300 CUP
Additionally, the Speer Manual states that 17,000 psi is the industry standard for the .38 Special.
Several questions arise.
What is the relation between CUP and PSI?
Since I have started loading .38s for my Ruger LCR which is +P can the powder charge be safely increased? and by how much?
Has the Industry standard pressure changed since 2001?
Is my Speer Manual outdated?
What charges do you others load? and bullets?
Thanks for any information.
In my Speer Reloading Manual #13 it states, regarding loading .38 Special, “Lead bullets are best for loading standard pressure .38 Special. . . jacketed bullets create more resistance than lead and can actually stick in the barrel/cylinder. . . to avoid these problems we are showing jacketed bullet data only for 110 and 125 gr. bullets. Note that these loads are marked “DNR” meaning “do not reduce.”
For the 125 gr. JHP bullet they give only one load for WIN. 231 - 5.6 gr. for 944 muzzle velocity.
On the Hodgdon Powders website for .38 Special it gives the following for WIN 231: min. load - 4.3 grs. for 826 muzzle velocity 13,300 CUP
max. load - 4.9 grs. for 944 muzzle velocity 16,300 CUP
Additionally, the Speer Manual states that 17,000 psi is the industry standard for the .38 Special.
Several questions arise.
What is the relation between CUP and PSI?
Since I have started loading .38s for my Ruger LCR which is +P can the powder charge be safely increased? and by how much?
Has the Industry standard pressure changed since 2001?
Is my Speer Manual outdated?
What charges do you others load? and bullets?
Thanks for any information.