Factory Test Results- Advice?

[doc540]

recap: trying to find a heavier bullet for metal silhouettes that's as accurate as the Rem factory .38 +P 125gr SJC HP's.

Even factoring in my limited shooting skills and a low-budget rest, it doesn't appear to me that either of these two powders will work well with 158gr SWC's.

Back to the drawing board, I guess.





Setup


I'm open to any and all feedback.

[Chief-7700]

Why the heavier bullet?

[doc540]

Why the heavier bullet?

Shooting metal silhouettes at 50 yds, and the 125 gr aren't hitting them hard enough.

[mjmagee67]

Give a round nose 158gr a try, I've read that SWC can get unstable at distances. Also have you slugged your bore? If the bullets are too small diameter they will never shoot well.

[Cowboy T]

I just looked at the Lyman's 49th data for several bullets in that weight range (155 cast, 158 jacketed, and 160 cast). I've found that sometimes bumping up the load can help tighten groups. That was certainly the case with my ".45 Colt Magnum" load and the 255gr cast boolits.

You're still well into regular .38 Spl territory, with room to go till you hit .38 +P territory.

Are you shooting cast or jacketed?

[johnny1290]

I got nothing but just wanted to say its an interesting test and thanks for showing us the results!

[22popnsplat]

I have been doing some load testing for my Merrill 357 pistol, this is a single shot with a 10x scope . In a estate sale i got a big ol coffee can full of Remington 158 grain semi jacketed hollow point bullets and i was determined to find a accurate load with these . I got crap results from 231 and unique , I went to loads using #9 and 4227 and about mid range loads the groups went very tight . I was shooting off sandbags at 50 yards and my best 5 shot groups were just over 1/2 inch . If you are shooting silhouettes i doubt this load would be enough for the 55lb rams at 200 yards . I have not shot silhouettes for about 5 years but i know some guys that used to load 200 grain 358 rifle bullets to meet cylinder length for the improved ballistics , out at 200 the accuracy was better as was the velocity .

[doc540]

lead bullets are from Missouri Bullets, 158 SWC's, Brinell 12

loaded some Speer JSP's tonight and ran the Win231 on the lower edge of +P territory

taking it slow, easy, and safe