How much less powder can you use?

JLK · December 21, 2005, 06:38 PM

I had ben loading 357. mag 158 gr jhp using 5.5 gr hp38. I got some 125 gr jhp bullets mixed in and loaded the 125 gr bullets with 5.5 gr hp38. The book calls for 8.5 max load for a 125 with hp38. Do you think it is ok to shoot them or should I take them apart.

Wrangler5 · December 21, 2005, 06:56 PM

Based on the Hodgdon web site data, 5.5g of HP38 is just a bit over max for a 125g +P 38 Special load. So no problem shooting it is a 357 Mag cylinder, although it will almost certainly have a different point of impact than your 158g loads, and than a full-out 125g load. If you want to zero your sights for a full power 125g load, then disassemble and rebuild the proper load. If you just need something ot shoot, have at it.

December 21, 2005, 06:38 PM	#1
JLK Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2001 Posts: 135	How much less powder can you use? I had ben loading 357. mag 158 gr jhp using 5.5 gr hp38. I got some 125 gr jhp bullets mixed in and loaded the 125 gr bullets with 5.5 gr hp38. The book calls for 8.5 max load for a 125 with hp38. Do you think it is ok to shoot them or should I take them apart. __________________ Rsrc

December 21, 2005, 06:56 PM	#2
Wrangler5 Senior Member Join Date: September 18, 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 326	Based on the Hodgdon web site data, 5.5g of HP38 is just a bit over max for a 125g +P 38 Special load. So no problem shooting it is a 357 Mag cylinder, although it will almost certainly have a different point of impact than your 158g loads, and than a full-out 125g load. If you want to zero your sights for a full power 125g load, then disassemble and rebuild the proper load. If you just need something ot shoot, have at it.