38 Spl. reloading question

[gravygrabber]

Hi,
I hate to ask a stupid question but I want to make sure that I'm reloading correctly. I have a lyman reloading manual that shows a 125gr. bullet in 38 spl. that's jacketed HP. All I could find was 125gr. bullets that are FP and copper plated. Can I use this bullet with the same power load weights and be safe?
I was thinking as long as both bullets are 125gr. it shouldn't matter right?

[eaglemike]

It's not quite that easy. If you start with the "starting load" you'll have a pretty good chance of doing well. .38 special is quite forgiving, and the load data is pretty conservative for modern guns - BUT - if you are changing components, and don't have a lot of experience, always start with the starting load.

I've seen times where plated bullets caused increased pressure. These were waaay soft, and when crimped they distorted enough to cause chambering issues. These were 9mm - not loaded by me! The guy that had loaded them is/was an experienced reloader, too.

I've also seen the plating come off bullets under some conditions......

all the best,

Mike

[gravygrabber]

It's not quite that easy. If you start with the "starting load" you'll have a pretty good chance of doing well. .38 special is quite forgiving, and the load data is pretty conservative for modern guns - BUT - if you are changing components, and don't have a lot of experience, always start with the starting load.

I've seen times where plated bullets caused increased pressure. These were waaay soft, and when crimped they distorted enough to cause chambering issues. These were 9mm - not loaded by me! The guy that had loaded them is/was an experienced reloader, too.

I've also seen the plating come off bullets under some conditions......

all the best,

Mike

Well I was making target loads so I was going to use the min. load or starting load in the book. My question is since the bullet isn't a HP is the starting load still good since the bullets are both 125gr. ?

[gravygrabber]

Oh yeah and what does Linotype mean?

[Desert Rat]

According To Rainier....................

............................... They recommend you treat their copper plated bullets as if they were unplated lead bullets for the purpose of developing loads. As a result, loading data for a 125 Gr JHP would develop lower chamber pressures if a 125 Gr Rainier copper plated bullet was used.

Hi,
I hate to ask a stupid question but I want to make sure that I'm reloading correctly. I have a lyman reloading manual that shows a 125gr. bullet in 38 spl. that's jacketed HP. All I could find was 125gr. bullets that are FP and copper plated. Can I use this bullet with the same power load weights and be safe?
I was thinking as long as both bullets are 125gr. it shouldn't matter right?

[sargenv]

Linotype is a specific alloy of lead/tin. It used to be used in old printing presses but that use has long been out of use. Many people who cast bullets like to use that specific alloy since it is hard/soft enough for use in casting. Midway USA sells it and their alloy is 86% lead, 3% tin, and 11% antimony. It produces a nice hard cast bullet.

I've substituted Jacketed Flat Points for Jacketed hollow points, but plated bullets shoot more like plain lead bullets in the fact that they are usually softer and obturate better like lead does. You also do not want to crimp them much as they tend to keyhole above a certain velocity. I had good luck shooting 40 cal 180's at about 700 fps, but if I tried pushing them above 900 fps they became unstable. Starting loads for the 38 spl should at least give you bullets that do not stick in the barrel when fired.

[eaglemike]

Well I was making target loads so I was going to use the min. load or starting load in the book. My question is since the bullet isn't a HP is the starting load still good since the bullets are both 125gr. ?

Yes, the starting load is fine. A fairly fast powder can give you reasonable accuracy with that weight bullet, at a very comfortable velocity.

I've learned not to make assumptions about pressure, and lead versus jacketed loads. Always be conservative, IMHO. Changing one component from a listed recipe can make more difference than many people appreciate.

Some lead bullets, especially coated, can be driven pretty close to full bore jacketed handgun bullet velocity - if the proper conditions are met. Optimum powder, proper bullet sizing and hardness, bore condition can play a part, too.

all the best,

Mike

[gravygrabber]

Okay I see. I'm using Bullseye power if that helps at all. I'm actually shooting the ammo out of an airweight so it's not going to be for accurancy. Just plinking ammo with the min. load is what I want.

[eaglemike]

You're gonna have so much fun! You can save so much l$$ oading your own ammo you can buy another gun!

Just think - it upsets a liberal every time you pull the handle on the press! (I'd use other words, but I'm trying to clean up my act)

all the best,

Mike

[Mr. Beretta]

This guy will walk you thru all the steps of .38spl reloading!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98I1i8Toj8E

[gravygrabber]

This guy will walk you thru all the steps of .38spl reloading!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98I1i8Toj8E

Ahh I need a reloading nail then....and a beer.

[sunborder]

One thing to bear in mind: When loading a JHP, the bullet will be longer for a given bullet weight, because part of it is hollow, especially if the cavity is large and/or deep. JHP will have HIGHER pressures given same weight, charge and OAL. If you substitute a solid bullet shape in same weight (and same material, obviously), your pressures should be LESS, since less of the bullet is stuck down in the case, making internal volume, and thus pressure less. Now, this assumes the same OAL.

Generally speaking, however, if you start with a starting load in the same weight and OAL, you should be okay, just check for pressure signs.

[gravygrabber]

What's OAL mean?
What are the signs of pressure I need to watch for?
Copper plated bullets look much nicer and I don't have to touch the lead. I think I'll buy them from now on.

[rivviepop]

This guy will walk you thru all the steps of .38spl reloading!

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98I1i8Toj8E

I was all prepared for something serious, that was even better than I could have hoped for! I can't wait to get started, thanks.

[sunborder]

Over All Length = OAL

Any decent load manual will explain the pressure signs to watch for. I like the Lee manual, but any decent one will probably have pictures. Basically, look for the primers flattening out against the firing pin, backing out, or (heaven forbid), actually being pierced by the pin. Those are usually the first signs. If you see them, don't keep loading higher to see more signs! Back off that load.