Buck13
Member
Today I shot my GP100 with 158 gr plated bullets atop the following: 5.5 gr HP-38 in .357 brass, 7.3 gr Longshot in .357 brass, and 6.0 gr Longshot in .38 brass. The last load is +P+, and I only load it because A. I have much more .38 brass than .357 and (note: AND!) B. I have no .38 chambered firearms, so unless someone steals my ammo, it will not wind up in the wrong gun for the pressure.
All of these were fun. The HP-38 load is barely more vigorous than a .38 Special, and I think gave my best group (which means nothing, since my shooting skills are sloppy enough to cover up any difference in the ammo). The 7.3 gr Longshot load is more zippy, but still mild compared to a hot 125 grain .357 magnum round. I call those ".357 Mid" since they split the difference between a .38 +P and a hot .357. Nice for shooting many rounds.
All the powders you list are appropriate. I'm starting to like Longshot for upper-middle-class revolver loads. Pretty strong velocities with many charges per pound compared to traditional magnum powders.
If you are buying plain lead bullets, you might want to get about a fifth of them as more expensive gas-checked bullets. If you are getting any leading, putting a 3-shot group of GC bullets through after every couple of cylinders of plain lead may keep things under control.
All of these were fun. The HP-38 load is barely more vigorous than a .38 Special, and I think gave my best group (which means nothing, since my shooting skills are sloppy enough to cover up any difference in the ammo). The 7.3 gr Longshot load is more zippy, but still mild compared to a hot 125 grain .357 magnum round. I call those ".357 Mid" since they split the difference between a .38 +P and a hot .357. Nice for shooting many rounds.
All the powders you list are appropriate. I'm starting to like Longshot for upper-middle-class revolver loads. Pretty strong velocities with many charges per pound compared to traditional magnum powders.
If you are buying plain lead bullets, you might want to get about a fifth of them as more expensive gas-checked bullets. If you are getting any leading, putting a 3-shot group of GC bullets through after every couple of cylinders of plain lead may keep things under control.
