What's up with that?

handgun357 · February 9, 2001, 11:51 PM

Lead semi-wad cutter 158gr or
Jacketed hex hollow point 125gr?
My 38sp reloads have always been 158 gr LSWC, but I bought some JHHP 125gr to lessen the sight fouling on my ported revolvers. I notice alot less recoil and better accuracy.
What's the deal. I know there are alot of physics brains in this forum with knowlege to share. Will someone clue me in?
Thanks...........

Art Eatman · February 10, 2001, 10:22 AM

You didn't mention powders and weights, but if I wuz guessin', I'd bet you might have gone up a bit on the charge? At any rate, the harder jacket of the HP probably raised the pressure a bit, making the powder burn a bit hotter and thus cleaner.

FWIW, Art

handgun357 · February 10, 2001, 11:03 AM

Art,

4.3 grains of Winchester 231 in both loads.
4.3 fell in the spectrum of both loads, so I did not change.

**Mal H** · February 10, 2001, 03:47 PM

For the recoil part - at 4.3 gr of 231, you are using an underpowered load for the 125 JHP. I would wager you are getting about the same or even less velocity than with the 158 gr lead bullet. Less weight at the same or lower velocity = less recoil. As for the accuracy, the lower recoil probably has something to do with it but your gun might just like that combo. Too many factors go into determining accuracy, it would just be a guess to tell you why it is better.

Art Eatman · February 10, 2001, 08:06 PM

Okay, what causes sight-fouling besides the powder? Is there some lead-dust or a smidgen of grease coming out with the powder smoke? I don't have any ported critter; hadn't thought of this.

About 30-35 years back, I loaded with Unique and 2400, a good bit in .357 & .44 Maggies. Grunge city! A lot of the newer stuff is definitely better.

A year or so back, there was some commentary here about what powders burn the cleanest. You might start a new thread and ask; might be some new info.

FWIW, Art

Hutch · February 11, 2001, 11:40 AM

It may be the lube on the lead bullets. Just notice, as you're shooting next time, just how much less "smoke" the jacketed stuff seems to produce. Alox/beeswax produces mucho smoke. Kinda smells sweetish, too. Particularly at an indoor range.

February 9, 2001, 11:51 PM	#1
handgun357 Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2001 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 293	Lead semi-wad cutter 158gr or Jacketed hex hollow point 125gr? My 38sp reloads have always been 158 gr LSWC, but I bought some JHHP 125gr to lessen the sight fouling on my ported revolvers. I notice alot less recoil and better accuracy. What's the deal. I know there are alot of physics brains in this forum with knowlege to share. Will someone clue me in? Thanks........... __________________ Always identify your target before you shoot. NRA Member

February 10, 2001, 11:03 AM	#3
handgun357 Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2001 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 293	Art, 4.3 grains of Winchester 231 in both loads. 4.3 fell in the spectrum of both loads, so I did not change. __________________ Always identify your target before you shoot. NRA Member

February 10, 2001, 10:22 AM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	You didn't mention powders and weights, but if I wuz guessin', I'd bet you might have gone up a bit on the charge? At any rate, the harder jacket of the HP probably raised the pressure a bit, making the powder burn a bit hotter and thus cleaner. FWIW, Art

February 10, 2001, 03:47 PM	#4
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	For the recoil part - at 4.3 gr of 231, you are using an underpowered load for the 125 JHP. I would wager you are getting about the same or even less velocity than with the 158 gr lead bullet. Less weight at the same or lower velocity = less recoil. As for the accuracy, the lower recoil probably has something to do with it but your gun might just like that combo. Too many factors go into determining accuracy, it would just be a guess to tell you why it is better.

February 10, 2001, 08:06 PM	#5
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Okay, what causes sight-fouling besides the powder? Is there some lead-dust or a smidgen of grease coming out with the powder smoke? I don't have any ported critter; hadn't thought of this. About 30-35 years back, I loaded with Unique and 2400, a good bit in .357 & .44 Maggies. Grunge city! A lot of the newer stuff is definitely better. A year or so back, there was some commentary here about what powders burn the cleanest. You might start a new thread and ask; might be some new info. FWIW, Art

February 11, 2001, 11:40 AM	#6
Hutch Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 1,124	It may be the lube on the lead bullets. Just notice, as you're shooting next time, just how much less "smoke" the jacketed stuff seems to produce. Alox/beeswax produces mucho smoke. Kinda smells sweetish, too. Particularly at an indoor range.