New to Reloading: Noob question

Tunaguy · January 2, 2015, 12:53 PM

Hey Guys,
Been shooting a long time but just started reloading. Set up a Lee Classic Turret & bought dies for 9MM, 38 SP. & 45 ACP. I have some Universal powder & plated LRN bullets of different weights. I can't seem to find any data on these bullets and powder. For instance-158 gr LRN 38 SP in the Lee manual there are no matchups for Universal powder.

Question- Does this mean that these are unsafe combos? Or was data never compiled & published?

Thanks Tunaguy

StripesDude · January 2, 2015, 01:59 PM

Check out Hodgdons website. They will have load data. May not have the exact bullet, so use something close and start near the low end of the range and work it up.

Nick_C_S · January 2, 2015, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Check out Hodgdons website.

https://www.hodgdon.com/basic-manual-inquiry.html

For 38 Special, it shows from 4.0gn to 4.4gn. That's for non+P. I don't load with Universal, but that sounds about right to me.

condor bravo · January 2, 2015, 05:22 PM

The Lyman 49th edition shows the following for 9mm with Universal powder and jacketed bullets:

95 grain: 4.7 to 5.3
125 grain: 4.0 to 4.5
147 grain: 3.1 to 3.5
no Universal listing for 115 gr bullet

No Universal listings for .38s and .45 acp

wogpotter · January 2, 2015, 05:35 PM

It may not be a dangerous combination, just a poor one for some reason.

Nick_C_S · January 2, 2015, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Does this mean that these are unsafe combos?

To wogpotter's point: When one goes to look for a powder/bullet combination and is having trouble finding any (or very little), that is the first indication that it may an awkward combination.

During this 2+year powder shortage, there have been countless posts with loaders asking for data that they were unable to find. Most of the time, it was with a powder too slow for the application. Was it dangerous? No. But it wasn't good for the application.

Yours is not such a case, however. Universal is a medium speed powder and should suffice for most of the applications you mentioned. In your case, I just think that there isn't much data for Universal - it's simply not a particularly popular/used propellant. You'll get your data. You'll be fine.

condor bravo · January 2, 2015, 06:34 PM

But check out http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/ to find Univeral data on the three calibers.

BigJimP · January 2, 2015, 07:04 PM

Nothing wrong with Hodgdon Universal ...in a variety of handgun loads.. I've used a lot of it in 9mm / .38 spl and .357 mag / and .45 acp.

although I primarily use Hodgdon Universal in 20ga and 28ga shotshell loads....

January 2, 2015, 12:53 PM	#1
Tunaguy Member Join Date: September 21, 2008 Posts: 15	New to Reloading: Noob question Hey Guys, Been shooting a long time but just started reloading. Set up a Lee Classic Turret & bought dies for 9MM, 38 SP. & 45 ACP. I have some Universal powder & plated LRN bullets of different weights. I can't seem to find any data on these bullets and powder. For instance-158 gr LRN 38 SP in the Lee manual there are no matchups for Universal powder. Question- Does this mean that these are unsafe combos? Or was data never compiled & published? Thanks Tunaguy

January 2, 2015, 05:22 PM	#4
condor bravo Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2014 Location: Nevada/Ariz/CA Posts: 1,753	The Lyman 49th edition shows the following for 9mm with Universal powder and jacketed bullets: 95 grain: 4.7 to 5.3 125 grain: 4.0 to 4.5 147 grain: 3.1 to 3.5 no Universal listing for 115 gr bullet No Universal listings for .38s and .45 acp Last edited by condor bravo; January 2, 2015 at 06:09 PM.

January 2, 2015, 05:35 PM	#5
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	It may not be a dangerous combination, just a poor one for some reason. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

January 2, 2015, 06:34 PM	#7
condor bravo Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2014 Location: Nevada/Ariz/CA Posts: 1,753	But check out http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/ to find Univeral data on the three calibers. Last edited by condor bravo; January 2, 2015 at 07:03 PM.

January 2, 2015, 01:59 PM	#2
StripesDude Member Join Date: June 29, 2014 Posts: 88	Check out Hodgdons website. They will have load data. May not have the exact bullet, so use something close and start near the low end of the range and work it up.

January 2, 2015, 07:04 PM	#8
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Nothing wrong with Hodgdon Universal ...in a variety of handgun loads.. I've used a lot of it in 9mm / .38 spl and .357 mag / and .45 acp. although I primarily use Hodgdon Universal in 20ga and 28ga shotshell loads....