Does this 38 load look kosher?

[Caligula36]

So I picked up a bunch of boxes like this from an unnamed Calgunner. I was about to head to the range to send a few, though something about the data on the box didnt look right. Hodgdon 700x in a 38spc, with a hornady 158gr SWC.

The bullets are set down far into the case, some with the edge of the wadcutter are a few thousandths past the case mouth. In researching these Hornady #3588 bullets, their longer length does result in seating this deep in order to meet OAL. So while the seating depth may not be a concern in itself, the compression of the load, and the resulting pressure increase my be.

Then looking up from a few sources, the max load for 700x should be around 4.2gr, maybe up to 4.5, 4.6gr for a +P load. This says 5.2gr.... and HOT!!

Send it?

[ysr_racer]

What are you shooting it in? A modern .357 might be ok.

[pennstater]

I wouldn't. Even in my older Hornady #4 edition manual, the max for that bullet/700X is 3.3gr. That #3588 bullet isn't even in my #8 book. Maybe pull the bullets and re-do 'em. Would not send as is.

MLC

[Che762x39]

So I picked up a bunch of boxes like this from an unnamed Calgunner. I was about to head to the range to send a few, though something about the data on the box didnt look right. Hodgdon 700x in a 38spc, with a hornady 158gr SWC.

Then looking up from a few sources, the max load for 700x should be around 4.2gr, maybe up to 4.5, 4.6gr for a +P load. This says 5.2gr.... and HOT!!

Send it?

No. 5.0 grains are max for 357 Magnum but your reloads are in 38 Special cases.

If you got them from my friend, "Bill" I would trash them. He always overloaded everything because he had a N Frame S&W Model 27.

[ironhorse1]

I would only shoot those in a .357 revolver. They are over max for a .38 Special case.

From the often mentioned Speer #8 a load range of 4.0-4.5 in a .38 with maximum velocity of 1036 fps in a 6" barrel.

A .357 load range is listed at 4.7-5.5 with a maximum velocity of 1095 in a 6" barrel.

Looks like a great load for a .357 Blackhawk if you are feeling lucky and don't mind cleaning lead out of the barrel.

irh

[Caligula36]

What are you shooting it in? A modern .357 might be ok.

You have a Thompson Contender i can borrow?

[NeilMo]

That's a crazy fool's load you got right there. Even a max +P load using a 110gn XTP only calls for 4.8 grains of 700X. Pull 'em or your next range report may be from the emergency room.

[bergmen]

Did you not check the load data before buying these? Confirm the load parameters before purchase so you know exactly what you are getting. Sending those bullets at high speed is likely to cause leading at the very least (and only in a stout .357 revolver like a GP100).

Dan

[Bastard]

after typing out a long response to this I've decided that it would be best to just simplify it - pull them!

why take the chance, even with todays inflated prices, it is not worth the possible damage to you firearm or your hand

[TAS]

after typing out a long response to this I've decided that it would be best to just simplify it - pull them!

why take the chance, even with todays inflated prices, it is not worth the possible damage to you firearm or your hand

^^^My thoughts exactly.

[ysr_racer]

OP, only one way to find out (and have somebody stand safely away and record it).

[Cowboy T]

I wouldn't shoot those...unless I had a .357M firearm to shoot them in.

Even then, unless I knew the reloader very well, I would just pull 'em and redo 'em. Not having used 700X powder before, is it as easy to accidentally do double-charges with 700X as it is with, say, Bullseye, Titegroup, or W231?

[Sandspider500]

10.4grs of 700x would just about fill the case up, so no.

[3453]

Maybe in a contender. I’ve shot some heavy loads through mine and I have some .44 mag that I use in the contender but I won’t try in my Redhawk. Pull them and reuse the components unless you have something really strong.

[bruce381]

after typing out a long response to this I've decided that it would be best to just simplify it - pull them!

why take the chance, even with todays inflated prices, it is not worth the possible damage to you firearm or your hand

Save the primed brass and reload a more safer laod