"Loads of Progress"

Pond, James Pond · February 8, 2014, 02:02 PM

Well, I think I have finally found loads for my .38 Snub and also workable .44spls for tireless shooting of the Redhawk.

I went down to the range today with 19, yes that is 19 different loads to shoot over the chrono. There were 5 for the .44 and the rest were for the snub.

In the case of the .38, I basically loaded the same charges over and over again: 4.9, 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3gr of N320 under a 125gr plated bullet. The only difference was either seating depth. One lot was seated .5mm more than previously, the next 1mm. The last lot of this kind was normal OAL but with an extra quarter turn of crimp. Then there were 4 loads with mag primers filled with 4.5, 4.7, 4.9 and 5.1gr of N320. Standard crimp and OAL.

Admittedly I only shot 3 of each, but I have an idea of velocities and there were no squibs or cat-sneeze loads: all solid shots. I have 2 loads that showed consistent velocities without a big spread. (I know that 3 shots s a pitiful number for velocity testing, but it gives me an idea of what to expect.) There was also another promising load where I had seated the bullet a little deeper.

So I will now load 5.2gr of N320 and 3/4 turn crimp and 36.5mm OAL, or 4.7gr with 1/2 turn crimp 36.5mm OAL and a magnum primer.

So if any of you in this thread had suggested mag primers, reach back and give yourselves a pat on the back... If any of you had suggested a greater crimp, reach back and give yourselves a pat on the back... And if any of you had suggested seating deeper, reach back and give yourselves a pat on the back...

I can now plink affordable with what is, after all, my carry gun so practice does bear some merit!

Onto the .44Spl. With this cartridge, I just wanted to see if I could find a load for another potential powder: N320. Once my N350 is gone, I'll only have N320 left to use, unless I buy more and, for now, I'd rather not spend too much, so I reloaded the best from last time: 9.5gr of N350 into 6 cases, under 200gr plated bullets. By way of comparison I also loaded 6 cases for 6 more plated bullets for each of the following charges 7.0gr, 7.1gr, 7.2gr and 7.3gr of N320.

None of these are particularly strong, but then that is what I wanted: dependable ignition from a cartridge that was not a fire-breather. So my 4" Redhawk gave me velocities of about 900fps for both the N350 load and the most promising N320 dose of 7.3gr.

It means I can now cut cases to size for dippers for each of these loads which will, in turn, make reloading far less time consuming and tedious with the scale and trickler. I can make up a few hundred of each and be set of the next couple of months!!

Plinking, here I come!!

surveyor · February 8, 2014, 02:24 PM

sounds good..glad you got the load worked out to your satisfaction, and there is a lot to be said for plinking ammo that is pleasant to shoot and cheap to reload.

Pond, James Pond · February 8, 2014, 03:19 PM

Quote:

and cheap to reload.

That reminds me that I have to do some sums!!
I have found one shop that sells 158gr .38Spl for €0.25 a piece.

I need to see how my reloads compare, although they are much milder to shoot in my snub and so I'm happy to have found a load that works.

It also means that I am not so susceptible to the markets...

But you are right. They felt like they would be pleasant to shoot. I felt the thrust of recoil, but without the relative bite I have felt with the 158'ers. That has a value in itself that is not necessarily monetary!

Interestingly, I feel the recoil is less snappy with my .44mag, than with my .38Spl with its small wooden grip!

surveyor · February 8, 2014, 03:38 PM

yep, stock fit is a factor in percieved recoil..
my 38's and 45's are running just a little over 700 fps..
9mm is around 1000 fps

38, 9 is around $5 a box with lead.

45 is about $6.50

it would be less if I cast.

but the instant availability (from the press) and lack of commercial market (where can I find loaded ammo) is a definite plus.

target loads should be that.. pleasant to shoot..no need to hotrod them.

1stmar · February 8, 2014, 03:42 PM

James did you chrono indoors?

Pond, James Pond · February 8, 2014, 04:51 PM

Quote:

James did you chrono indoors?

No, I didn't. It was outdoors, broad daylight and overcast: about the best light conditions for a chrono. I have tried mine indoors and with those fluorescent tubes and it does not even register!!

February 8, 2014, 02:02 PM	#1
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	"Loads of Progress" Well, I think I have finally found loads for my .38 Snub and also workable .44spls for tireless shooting of the Redhawk. I went down to the range today with 19, yes that is 19 different loads to shoot over the chrono. There were 5 for the .44 and the rest were for the snub. In the case of the .38, I basically loaded the same charges over and over again: 4.9, 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3gr of N320 under a 125gr plated bullet. The only difference was either seating depth. One lot was seated .5mm more than previously, the next 1mm. The last lot of this kind was normal OAL but with an extra quarter turn of crimp. Then there were 4 loads with mag primers filled with 4.5, 4.7, 4.9 and 5.1gr of N320. Standard crimp and OAL. Admittedly I only shot 3 of each, but I have an idea of velocities and there were no squibs or cat-sneeze loads: all solid shots. I have 2 loads that showed consistent velocities without a big spread. (I know that 3 shots s a pitiful number for velocity testing, but it gives me an idea of what to expect.) There was also another promising load where I had seated the bullet a little deeper. So I will now load 5.2gr of N320 and 3/4 turn crimp and 36.5mm OAL, or 4.7gr with 1/2 turn crimp 36.5mm OAL and a magnum primer. So if any of you in this thread had suggested mag primers, reach back and give yourselves a pat on the back... If any of you had suggested a greater crimp, reach back and give yourselves a pat on the back... And if any of you had suggested seating deeper, reach back and give yourselves a pat on the back... I can now plink affordable with what is, after all, my carry gun so practice does bear some merit! Onto the .44Spl. With this cartridge, I just wanted to see if I could find a load for another potential powder: N320. Once my N350 is gone, I'll only have N320 left to use, unless I buy more and, for now, I'd rather not spend too much, so I reloaded the best from last time: 9.5gr of N350 into 6 cases, under 200gr plated bullets. By way of comparison I also loaded 6 cases for 6 more plated bullets for each of the following charges 7.0gr, 7.1gr, 7.2gr and 7.3gr of N320. None of these are particularly strong, but then that is what I wanted: dependable ignition from a cartridge that was not a fire-breather. So my 4" Redhawk gave me velocities of about 900fps for both the N350 load and the most promising N320 dose of 7.3gr. It means I can now cut cases to size for dippers for each of these loads which will, in turn, make reloading far less time consuming and tedious with the scale and trickler. I can make up a few hundred of each and be set of the next couple of months!! Plinking, here I come!! __________________ When the right to effective self-defence is denied, that right to self-defence which remains is essentially symbolic. Freedom: Please enjoy responsibly.

February 8, 2014, 02:24 PM	#2
surveyor Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2007 Posts: 770	sounds good..glad you got the load worked out to your satisfaction, and there is a lot to be said for plinking ammo that is pleasant to shoot and cheap to reload.

February 8, 2014, 03:38 PM	#4
surveyor Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2007 Posts: 770	yep, stock fit is a factor in percieved recoil.. my 38's and 45's are running just a little over 700 fps.. 9mm is around 1000 fps 38, 9 is around $5 a box with lead. 45 is about $6.50 it would be less if I cast. but the instant availability (from the press) and lack of commercial market (where can I find loaded ammo) is a definite plus. target loads should be that.. pleasant to shoot..no need to hotrod them.

February 8, 2014, 03:42 PM	#5
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	James did you chrono indoors?