Did I do this correctly? (big pictures)

[savasyn]

I'm new to reloading and had help doing my first set up(9mm). Tonight I set up the press for .38 special on my own and I want to make sure that the final result looks ok.

I'm using:
Win WSP
4.0 grains of Hodgdon Universal Clays
158gr plated round nose Berry's Bullets

I have two reloading books, but neither of them have data for that exact combination of components. I searched around on the internet and 4.0 grains seems to the a common starting load for that weight bullet and powder.

My biggest concern is OAL. Almost all the data I have for 158gr bullets is for HPs or FP, not RN, certainly not plated or even jacketed RN. Most of the stuff listed is around 1.45 or so. There is no possible way I can get these in there that deep. I tried one at 1.48 or so and the crimp was well up on the curved part of the bullet. I ended up settling on 1.53 after noticing that one book lists a 160gr lead RN at an OAL of 1.55. At 1.53, I'm using 99, if not 100% of the straight walled part of the bullet.

I drop the result in a .38 special case gauge and while close to the end, still clears. Anything I'm missing or should be careful about so far?

My next concern is crimp. I tried a few things setting up the crimp die. My first attempt seemed too deep, so I backed off and tried with another test round and it also appeared to be too deep. I pulled both bullets and there was a distinct impression, but neither cut all the way through the plating.

The pictures below show my final resulting bullet depth and crimp. Please let me know if you see anything that is off so I can change my setup.

I ran out 50 of these and plan on testing them in an S&W 627. Being a .357, it should more or less be able to handle anything sane in a .38 casing.

I currently have no way to test pressure or even velocity, how can I verify that these are safe to fire in my .38 non +p guns?

Thanks!!

[Gnzrme]

nice pictures of your hair....LOL...They look great..now go out and shoot them....

[Fjold]

The construction looks fine, crimp, etc.

I can't find any reference to +P loads for Clays. The only loads that I can find are for 38 special with a maximum load of 3.1 grains using the 158 grain bullet which produces 16,600 CUP.

Be sure that you are using a reliable source for the data.

[nn3453]

I can't find any reference to +P loads for Clays. The only loads that I can find are for 38 special with a maximum load of 3.1 grains using the 158 grain bullet which produces 16,600 CUP.

Same here. My book shows 3.0gr as the max for 158gr jacketed. No load for +P with Clays.

Like he said, OP make sure you check your load against a reputable source.

[savasyn]

Oh, interesting. Both of you mention data for Clays, which might be part of my confusion. I'm using Hodgdon Universal Clays, but they also sell International Clays and just Clays. As I understand it, the powder I have is listed as "Universal". Please please let me know if I'm wrong about this!!!

The data I'm using is from a book called "Reloading Guide for Revolvers". They have a section for standard pressure and a different section for +P loads.

I'm looking at the standard pressure section at a bullet called the HDY XTP, which is the only jacketed 158gr load that lists Universal.

It says for the starting load: Universal - 4gr - 678fps (doesn't list pressure for starting loads)

It also does list Clays for that same bullet: 3gr - 633fps
and that seems consistent with what you guys were saying above.

So I guess the question now is how is the powder I have(Hodgdon Universal Clays) listed in the manual?

Thanks so much!

Edit to add that I just found this on Hodgdon's website for the same bullet which seems consistent with the Gun Guide data:

[ar15barrels]

From Hodgdon's reloading data center:

Cartridge: 38 Special +P
Load Type: Pistol
Maximum Loads

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Manufacturer Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

146 GR. SPR JHP Hodgdon Universal .357" 1.370" 4.7 987 18,100 CUP
158 GR. HDY XTP Hodgdon Universal .357" 1.455" 4.7 837 19,200 CUP
170 GR. SIE JHC Hodgdon Universal .357" 1.450" 4.3 847 18,600 CUP

Call me tonight and I can run that bullet and powder through quickload.

[savasyn]

Randall,
Cool, thanks! I'm actually looking for a standard pressure load to start with. Looks like I've got a good starting point based on what you listed for +P and what I found for standard pressure using that powder and bullet type/weight.

I'll call you tonight anyway just to make sure it works out in your program.

[Fjold]

Oops, don't know why I went to "Clays".

Your load should be fine, like Randall says Hodgon lists the +P load with 158 GR. HDY XTP and Universal powder at 4.7 grains and 19,200 CUP, so that 4.0 grain load of yours should be a good mid range load.

[ar15barrels]

Plated bullets behave just like plain lead bullets as far as pressure/velocity is concerned.

Cartridge          : .38 Special (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .357, 158, LYM LRN 358311
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.550 inch or 39.37 mm
Barrel Length      : 4.0 inch or 101.6 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon Universal

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.222% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-22.2   39     3.50    686     165   10218   3930     96.9    0.849
-20.0   40     3.60    702     173   10751   4055     97.5    0.830
-17.8   41     3.70    717     180   11298   4177     98.1    0.811
-15.6   42     3.80    732     188   11860   4296     98.5    0.794
-13.3   44     3.90    747     196   12436   4412     98.9    0.774
-11.1   45     4.00    762     204   13027   4525     99.3    0.755
-08.9   46     4.10    777     212   13632   4634     99.5    0.736
-06.7   47     4.20    791     220   14252   4740     99.7    0.718
-04.4   48     4.30    806     228   14887   4842     99.9    0.702  ! Near Maximum !
-02.2   49     4.40    820     236   15537   4940    100.0    0.686  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   50     4.50    833     244   16201   5035    100.0    0.670  ! Near Maximum !
+02.2   51     4.60    847     252   16880   5128    100.0    0.656  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.4   52     4.70    860     260   17574   5220    100.0    0.642  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.7   54     4.80    874     268   18284   5313    100.0    0.629  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.9   55     4.90    887     276   19008   5405    100.0    0.616  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+11.1   56     5.00    899     284   19748   5498    100.0    0.604  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!