|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
May 13, 2005, 12:01 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: May 12, 2005
Location: Rocklin CA
Posts: 5
|
Help with 38 special Remington bullets
I'm new to reloading and purchased some .357 Remington 125gr jacketed softpoints and 158 gr lead SWC bullets.
None of my books have any loading data on Remington. I was hoping the 38 special loadbooks would have information, but it doesn't. What do you recommend? I also have a Speer and Nosler book. TIA Tim |
May 13, 2005, 01:42 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 15, 2004
Posts: 934
|
Tim, brand of bullet is rarely a major factor. Establish a starting load by consulting the manuals you have handy, start there, and you'll have more than enough safety margin to cover a simple bullet change. There might be a difference at the top end, but you should stick to starting loads until you get the hang of reloading, anyway.
Have fun! |
May 13, 2005, 07:32 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 29, 2001
Location: Where the Red Sox meet the Black Bears
Posts: 561
|
Look at the Speer Loading Manual #13. They don't mention the Remington name, but they have load data for the bullets you mention.
|
May 13, 2005, 07:51 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 30, 2004
Posts: 154
|
Tim, I shoot 158 gr lead SWC in my M-15 with a mild load of 3.5 of Win 231. I use these for paper plinking with decent accuracy.
I've loaded down to 3.0 gr 231 for beginners to plink with. |
May 13, 2005, 12:12 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 18, 2005
Posts: 1,874
|
Include the powder you would be using then could be more help
__________________
Russ5924 |
May 13, 2005, 03:10 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 10, 2004
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 302
|
Generally speaking, you should be able to use the loading data for any brand 125 gr jacketed bullet, the brands would be interchangeable for a similar design and weight.
__________________
John |
May 14, 2005, 12:07 AM | #7 |
Junior Member
Join Date: May 12, 2005
Location: Rocklin CA
Posts: 5
|
Thanks very much! I really appreciate your help!
Best Regards, Tim |
May 14, 2005, 12:19 AM | #8 |
Junior Member
Join Date: May 12, 2005
Location: Rocklin CA
Posts: 5
|
Sorry, forgot to mention I haven't purchased any powder yet. What do you recommend for someone starting out?
|
May 14, 2005, 01:28 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 7, 2005
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 263
|
Unique or 2400, they seem to have the most amount of loads in all manual's.
__________________
___________________________________ An old west lawman once said when asked why he carried a .45, "because they don't make a .46" God created man, Sam Colt made them equal. |
May 14, 2005, 05:27 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 17, 2000
Location: Wichita, Ks.
Posts: 426
|
WW 231 is good for both of your bullet weights.......
also, I just picked up Lyman's ( 48th, I think ) reloading book...TONS of good info............ |
May 14, 2005, 06:10 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 26, 2000
Location: Northeastern Ct.
Posts: 1,019
|
Echo the good advice so far
Only thing I would add is start with the minimum data listed in the manual(s) and work up. Bullet designs of the same weight do alter pressures and ballistics, but if you start with the min for a similar bullet you should be OK. I would also recommend WW231 for the particular loads you're making. Take Care |
May 14, 2005, 08:54 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 20, 1999
Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country)
Posts: 14,324
|
and
Hodgdon Universal Clays
Alliant Power Pistol Winchester 231 Accurate Arms AA5 and a million others......... Me? I use Universal Clays for plinking-type loads.
__________________
. "all my ammo is mostly retired factory ammo" |
May 14, 2005, 12:10 PM | #13 |
Staff
Join Date: March 4, 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 21,013
|
Tim,
For .38 Special, 2.8 to 3.0 grains of Bullseye are old standards for 148 grain wadcutters. You can launch the slightly heavier 158 lead bullets for plinking with this load, since the seating depth won't be as great as the hollow base wadcutters are made. Pressures are about 1/2 SAMMI max for a 1.55" overall cartridge length. I assume the 125 grain bullets are for more like factory defense loads. About 5 grains of Hodgdon Universal will make a good defense load, but start at 4.5 grains and work up. The assumptions are: • Bullet seated to OAL of 1.55 inches. • Bullet not greater than 0.55 inches in length. • Cartridge case water capacity of at least 23.1 grains. Be careful and have fun, Nick Last edited by Unclenick; May 14, 2005 at 12:44 PM. |
May 14, 2005, 03:39 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 10, 2004
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 302
|
WW231 is a great powder for pistol use, very versatile, I use it in all my pistol calibers, 9mm, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, and 45 ACP. It is best for light to medium loads, not the greatest for "warm" loads, but those should come later with more experience.
WW231 is one of the best for a new reloader to get started with.
__________________
John |
May 14, 2005, 10:11 PM | #15 |
Junior Member
Join Date: May 12, 2005
Location: Rocklin CA
Posts: 5
|
Thank you again
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|