.38 LC 158g .358 diam lead cast bullets

M14MSgt · October 9, 2009, 01:22 PM

Need load data, powder weight specifically, for .38 Long Colt, 158g lead cast RNFP bullets with a .358 diameter. Using Hodgon Tite Group Powder. Went to their load data center and highest bullet weight they have for .38 is 150g. I figured 3 grains would be a safe starting point. Any help???

**Unclenick** · October 9, 2009, 02:31 PM

That round is very low pressure. About 13,000 psi, max, and it has less space under the bullet for the powder to burn in. QuickLOAD suggests Tightgroup's burning characteristics are such that it doesn't take much to make high pressure. It shows 3.0 grains of Tightgroup with a 158 grain Lee round nose flat point seated .287" into the case (1.360" COL) producing a little over 16,000 psi. I would start with just 2.0 grains and work up to 2.5 grains or so.

Amended: In looking that particular Lee bullet up for Awaveritt, it has a crimp groove and has to be seated .335" deep. That takes the top load down 0.1 grain in the .38 LC, to 2.4 grains. The COL will then be 1.312" in the .38 LC.

awaveritt · October 9, 2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

It shows 3.0 grains of Tightgroup with a 158 grain Lee round nose flat point seated .287" into the case producing a little over 16,000 psi. I would start with just 2.0 grains and work up to 2.5 grains or so.

Unclenick, not to highjack the thread, but what does quickLOAD say for this same bullet in 38 special with Bullseye and Tightgroup? I'm about to send off for this exact Lee mould. Thanks.

M14MSgt · October 9, 2009, 03:14 PM

thx unclenick

**Unclenick** · October 9, 2009, 03:27 PM

It looked to me like the crimp groove on that bullet will want to be seated about .335" deep, for a COL of about 1.422" in the .38 Special. At that spacing your starting load would be about 3.0 grians and could go as high as 3.9 grains approaching maximum.

M14Msgt:

Check my amended thought in my first answer to you.

M14MSgt · October 9, 2009, 04:36 PM

this is not .38 spl though...it's 38 long colt.

**Unclenick** · October 9, 2009, 06:04 PM

Right. That's why Awaveritt said he didn't mean to hijack the thread, but wondered what the Lee bullet I mentioned would do in .38 Special? My second post addressed his question about the Special. My first post addressed your .38 LC. I amended that first post with an additional statement at the end for the Lee 158 gr. RF bullet, specifically, because it has a crimp groove which will set the COL at a shorter length than the maximum, and that will raise pressure a bit over using the full .38 LC COL allowed by the SAAMI spec.

October 9, 2009, 01:22 PM	#1
M14MSgt Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2007 Location: Lancaster CA Posts: 105	.38 LC 158g .358 diam lead cast bullets Need load data, powder weight specifically, for .38 Long Colt, 158g lead cast RNFP bullets with a .358 diameter. Using Hodgon Tite Group Powder. Went to their load data center and highest bullet weight they have for .38 is 150g. I figured 3 grains would be a safe starting point. Any help???

October 9, 2009, 02:31 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	That round is very low pressure. About 13,000 psi, max, and it has less space under the bullet for the powder to burn in. QuickLOAD suggests Tightgroup's burning characteristics are such that it doesn't take much to make high pressure. It shows 3.0 grains of Tightgroup with a 158 grain Lee round nose flat point seated .287" into the case (1.360" COL) producing a little over 16,000 psi. I would start with just 2.0 grains and work up to 2.5 grains or so. Amended: In looking that particular Lee bullet up for Awaveritt, it has a crimp groove and has to be seated .335" deep. That takes the top load down 0.1 grain in the .38 LC, to 2.4 grains. The COL will then be 1.312" in the .38 LC. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; October 9, 2009 at 06:07 PM.

October 9, 2009, 03:27 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	It looked to me like the crimp groove on that bullet will want to be seated about .335" deep, for a COL of about 1.422" in the .38 Special. At that spacing your starting load would be about 3.0 grians and could go as high as 3.9 grains approaching maximum. M14Msgt: Check my amended thought in my first answer to you. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

October 9, 2009, 06:04 PM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Right. That's why Awaveritt said he didn't mean to hijack the thread, but wondered what the Lee bullet I mentioned would do in .38 Special? My second post addressed his question about the Special. My first post addressed your .38 LC. I amended that first post with an additional statement at the end for the Lee 158 gr. RF bullet, specifically, because it has a crimp groove which will set the COL at a shorter length than the maximum, and that will raise pressure a bit over using the full .38 LC COL allowed by the SAAMI spec. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

October 9, 2009, 03:14 PM	#4
M14MSgt Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2007 Location: Lancaster CA Posts: 105	thx unclenick

October 9, 2009, 04:36 PM	#6
M14MSgt Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2007 Location: Lancaster CA Posts: 105	this is not .38 spl though...it's 38 long colt.