Where Can I Find Load Data?

[P5 Guy]

http://www.speer-bullets.com/ballistics/detail.aspx?id=237

For these bullets. I find no listing in my Speer #14. They do not even list this #4732. I'm interested in 38SPL (not +p) and 357MAG.
Is there a vast difference between the plated 'Gold Dot' and the jacketed 4732 bullets?

 

[gunlaw]

Use data for a similar 180g jhp and work up your loads accordingly. The bullet weight and type is more important than finding data for a specific brand.

 

[lauderdale]

Call SPEER? Not trying to be rude. I no you just posted someone will know. Edit:Well on second thought yes I guess that would be very legit,i cant find a smiley when editing shucks!

 

[243winxb]

Alliant/Speer may not list 38 spec data for 158 gr jacketed because starting loads may lodge a bullet in rifle barrels?? Hodgdon data for the listed Hornady XTP 158 gr bullet is what i would try. Old Alliant data can be found here. http://castpics.net/dpl/

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Use data for a similar 180g jhp and work up your loads accordingly. The bullet weight and type is more important than finding data for a specific brand.

Why would he use 180gr bullet data when he's asking about a 158gr bullet?

Gold Dot bullets are technically plated because of the bonding process they use but the jacket is just as thick as the older way of making a jacketed bullet. There is no reason to need data for the exact bullet you're using. The data for a bullet of the same weight, profile and construction is good for those bullets. This is why load data gives you a starting charge weight and a max charge weight. Start low and work up and you will be fine. We all use load data that way.

 

[243winxb]

Gold Dot bullets are technically plated because of the bonding process they use but the jacket is just as thick as the older way of making a jacketed bullet.

[/URL][/IMG] I see that some types of plated are thicker now??? Maybe not always?? I dont use plated. I cast my own.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like I said, Gold Dot bullets are being called plated bullets because of the process. They really are not "plated bullets" like Rainier and Berry's bullets are where they plated a lead core with a thin coating of copper. when loading a Gold Dot bullet you don't need to worry about crimping like you do with plated bullets. AGAIN, they are technically plated but nothing like the typical plated bullet. For them it's a bonding process to eliminate core separation.

When shooters buy Speer Gold Dot SD ammo they never think of them as plated bullets and rightfully so, they really are JHP bullets.

 

[Sunray]

"...Use data for a similar 180g jhp..." Absolutely not. Just use 158 grain jacketed data. Load for the bullet weight. Who made it or its shape doesn't matter.
A Gold Dot is no more plated than you are.
http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/gold_dot_const.aspx

 

[Jesse Heywood]

You can use the for a generic 158 gr. JHP. Check the powder manufacturer sites or loadiing manuals. Lyman #49 shows loads for 10 powders.

 

[Mad Chemist]

Use the GD data and work up.

 

[Haxby]

Speer #10 had data for 158 gr jhp & jsp in 38, 38+p, and 357. Some time between 10 & 13 they stopped printing the 38 loads.

 

[Mad Chemist]

#11 has data for both .38 and .357.

 

[gunlaw]

180g? Sorry about the typo I intended 158g. Please forgive me archangle.

 

[P5 Guy]

Got a reply from Speer yesterday, do not try it, so I won't.

 

[LiveLife]

So Speer said to not use Gold Dot load data for jacketed bullet?

 

[rcmodel]

Speer has not shown any 158 grain jacketed or Gold-Dot standard or +P .38 Spl load data for many years now.

Number 10 manual had it in 1979 for jacketed bullets.
By number 13, published in 1998 there is none, and has been none since.

#13 did show +P data for 140 grain jacketed and 146 grain half jacket in +P though.

But it is gone now, and they top out at 125 grain jacketed data.

Why, I have no idea??
But I imagine they got tired of fielding questions from dissatisfied customers that couldn't get them to expand on anything at that velocity.

rc

 

[gamestalker]

Speer said do not do it? They must have misunderstood the question, cause all of my Speer data has jacketed and Gold Dot data combined, using the same data. Maybe there has been a change in the most recent data?

I've been loading Gold Dots using worked up jacketed full tilt H110/296 data since the G.D. came into existence. Treat Gold Dots exactly the same as you would any jacketed bullet.

GS

 

[P5 Guy]

Speer said they did NOT test any 158gr JHP as 38SPL (non +p) as it might not leave the barrel at established pressure limits.
No problem using them in 357MAG.
The reason I asked about 38SPL loading is that I bought a 50 round box of factory made 158gr JHP and was wanting to recreate them for practice. Now I'm worried about the factory made rounds.