Reloading 38 special with 147 grain 9mm bullets load data

[Toor95991]

Hey cal gunners,

Was wondering if someone can point me in the correct direction with load data,

I will be reloading 38 special with 147 grain lead round nose bullets, what would be recommended for the starting and max load data?

I have a BUNCH of these loading 9mm, therefore I would like to use them.

I am using Winchester auto comp powder.

I looked at Winchesters site and found this for 146 grain and 148 grain but NOT 147 grain

146 GR. SPR JHP - Winchester AutoComp 4.6 to 5.0

148 GR. HDY LHBWC -Winchester AutoComp 3.7 to 4.1

[robert101]

I would use the 146 grain data for a 147 grain bullet. If you are ultra conservative reduce the charge by 2/10's of a grain.
Now that I re-read your email, you can use the 148 grain data for the 1 grain lighter bullet without problem. I don't use Winchester AutoComp but have Alliant powder. If you want that data take a look at the Alliant website. Or let me know and I'll look it up for you.
Robert

[McGuiver]

The 147 grain bullets will work. Just load them as 148gr load data. Start low and work up the powder load.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

Use this site for the AutoComp powder load. Just make sure you have a good roll crimp on the rounds so they don't fall out or shove inward. What did do the rounds mic out for the dia? 0.3555" or 0.356"...either way it will work.




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[hambam105]

Last I checked, 9mm bullet diameter is a bit smaller than bullets intended for .38 Specials.
Cast bullets coming out of the mold can be sized for either 9mm or 38 Special, but I bet your 147 came sized to .353, .354, or .355.
Last I remember, 38 Special & .357 Magnum, are .356, .357, imgane that, .357, and .358.

[rsrocket1]

First of all, check the diameter of your bullets. If they are .358" you are OK. Typically 9mm cast bullets are 0.356" which is 1 mil over the nominal 0.355" diameter of a 9mm barrel. Unfortunately many 9mm barrels are considerably bigger than 0.355", some as big as 0.357" or more (many european barrels are that big including my Beretta 92FS).

If your bullets are 0.356" or smaller, get a bore mop and some Chore Boy because you will probably be scrubbing lead out of your barrel after each session and you should quit shooting when you see your accuracy go down the drain or when you see bullets keyholing in your target. If the bullets were cast with a softer lead alloy and you are loading to high pressures, you may be lucky and the bullets will bump up (obturate) to seal the bore and prevent gas cutting.

My Lee 356-120-TC and TL-356-124-2R bullets drop at 0.358" and I can size them for either 9mm or 38/357 but not everyone is that lucky.

If your bullets are 0.358" then start loads with 148g data and work up if necessary.

[GILMORE619]

Rsrocket1 when you size 0.358 bullet for 38 special are you just doing it to look for imperfections in the cast?

What kind of velocities do you see with the TL-124-2R bullet in 38spec?

[stilly]

I would use the 146 grain data for a 147 grain bullet. If you are ultra conservative reduce the charge by 2/10's of a grain.
Now that I re-read your email, you can use the 148 grain data for the 1 grain lighter bullet without problem. I don't use Winchester AutoComp but have Alliant powder. If you want that data take a look at the Alliant website. Or let me know and I'll look it up for you.
Robert

In theory according to the technical manuals (think, Books...) you are NEVER supposed to use a charge from a lighter load...

But I agree with the above because what is 1 gr? I doubt the load will notice. But reducing by 2/10 is a nice way to offset that.

Hell, Making .38 SPL loads is nothing you can prolly reduce by a half gr or more and still make a decent shooting pill...

But with that said, just stick to the above directions and all should be fine.

I was just coming here to say to use 148gr Load Data and crimp where the bullet should be crimped...

Last I checked, 9mm bullet diameter is a bit smaller than bullets intended for .38 Specials.
Cast bullets coming out of the mold can be sized for either 9mm or 38 Special, but I bet your 147 came sized to .353, .354, or .355.
Last I remember, 38 Special & .357 Magnum, are .356, .357, imgane that, .357, and .358.

This is why I have decided to cast all 9mm/38/357 pills at .358 and PC and then just size them down as I need them. Why have the same pills sitting in 3 boxes at .358, .357, and .356 ? Better to just make ONE box of .358 and then if I need them for 9mm and I want to size them down I size them right there... Easy peazy.

[McGuiver]

In theory according to the technical manuals (think, Books...) you are NEVER supposed to use a charge from a lighter load...

But I agree with the above because what is 1 gr? I doubt the load will notice. But reducing by 2/10 is a nice way to offset that.

Hell, Making .38 SPL loads is nothing you can prolly reduce by a half gr or more and still make a decent shooting pill...

But with that said, just stick to the above directions and all should be fine.

I was just coming here to say to use 148gr Load Data and crimp where the bullet should be crimped...



This is why I have decided to cast all 9mm/38/357 pills at .358 and PC and then just size them down as I need them. Why have the same pills sitting in 3 boxes at .358, .357, and .356 ? Better to just make ONE box of .358 and then if I need them for 9mm and I want to size them down I size them right there... Easy peazy.

stilly do you ever shoot those unsized 38/357 cast rounds out of your 9mm without resizing them?


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[hntnnut]

I wouldn't substitute load data for jacketed bullets for lead bullets.


Richard

[rsrocket1]

Rsrocket1 when you size 0.358 bullet for 38 special are you just doing it to look for imperfections in the cast?

What kind of velocities do you see with the TL-124-2R bullet in 38spec?

I size them because I powder coat the bullets and the diameter gets to about 0.360"-0.361".

I have loaded and shot the TL-125-2R to 1300 fps using Power Pistol, but they were not very accurate. 1200 with either PP or Unique was much better. I had to seat them to where all the TL section was below the rim and roll crimped over the top band. That meant about a 0.275" seat depth. When I tried to seat to crimp on the top lube groove, the tip of the bullet extended out beyond the cylinder and you couldn't rotate it <doh>

[stilly]

stilly do you ever shoot those unsized 38/357 cast rounds out of your 9mm without resizing them?


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No. I ALWAYS size. Every PC pill I have I have resized. I do NOT shoot cast unless it has PC on it and I do NOT shoot PC unless they have been through the sizer. That is just my way of keeping things consistent.

The only pills that I have though that are large like that are 158gr and some 105gr I expect that my 105gr will FLY through the barrel. Maybe even catch the papers on fire...

[GILMORE619]

I size them because I powder coat the bullets and the diameter gets to about 0.360"-0.361".

I have loaded and shot the TL-125-2R to 1300 fps using Power Pistol, but they were not very accurate. 1200 with either PP or Unique was much better. I had to seat them to where all the TL section was below the rim and roll crimped over the top band. That meant about a 0.275" seat depth. When I tried to seat to crimp on the top lube groove, the tip of the bullet extended out beyond the cylinder and you couldn't rotate it <doh>

Thanks for the info. I'm gonna give the TL-125-2R a try in 38sp. I really like using power pistol in 38sp.