.38 special tonight

[robledor]

Hello, I hope all is well. Merry Christmas everyone,
I'm just got done loading some .38 special
3.8 to 4.2 grains of #2
I'm using. 356" 115 lead poly coated
I'm not expanding the case mouth just use case tension and also very very light crimp.
14.45 OAL

I'm shooting a 2inch snub nose.
What do you guys think?

[justMike]

So you're using 9mm bullets? What kind of crimp? Think I'd use a taper crimp.
As long as they don't pull out on recoil no doubt you'll be ok IMO. Do you know if No. 2 has a bright flash in low light?

[hambam105]

What are these black marks around the case mouth that appear after I shoot my reloads?

[Cheep]

That bullet sounds a couple thou small for 38...

[splithoof]

Hello, I hope all is well. Merry Christmas everyone,
I'm just got done loading some .38 special
3.8 to 4.2 grains of #2
I'm using. 356" 115 lead poly coated
I'm not expanding the case mouth just use case tension and also very very light crimp.
14.45 OAL

I'm shooting a 2inch snub nose.
What do you guys think?

Your chosen bullets will enter the case mouth without crushing because they are undersize; how they perform will only be determined by shooting. Because of the wide range of tolerances in different revolvers, that combo may work well, or not.

Whenever evaluating a new load for revolvers, I fully load the cylinder and fire one round, and then carefully measure the remaining rounds to ensure that the bullets have NOT moved within the case. I do that successively for each remaining round until all have been fired. If they have moved, the crimp needs to be adjusted. With the bullets you are using, that step is critical IMO. Moly coatings add a level of lubricity that may help them jump a light crimp. Bullet jump can be exacerbated in short barrel revolvers due to less mass that a longer barrel provides, at least from what I have found when loading for about a dozen different models.

Lastly, make sure that each bullet actually leaves the barrel, as you need to make sure that you have no squibs. Those will really ruin a range trip.

[Eat Dirt]

And here I thought you going to a concert !!!

[bruce381]

sounds like 9mm bullets NOT 38 special

[robledor]

Yeah I know they are .356 9mm bullets but I have a ton so I want to use those. I shot some and they worked

[eaglemike]

Yeah I know they are .356 9mm bullets but I have a ton so I want to use those. I shot some and they worked

Shooting undersize bullets might lead to more buildup in the barrel.
Something to monitor.
You are likely sacrificing a little accuracy too. If they do what you want in that area, no worries.
good luck!

[robledor]

Thank you. I'll be sure to monitor the lead in the barrel, yeah I'm only shooting for fun out of a snub nose at 5 yards. Plinking for fun. Enough crimp where bullet won't move either direction.