Powder weight for 158 gr JHP vs 158 gr SWC

mjeselskis · April 11, 2010, 08:56 PM

Hello,
I am fairly new to reloading, but am really enjoying it so far. Only load I have made so far is .38 special, 158gr SWC, CCI Primer, and 3.0 gr red dot powder. Load works well in my Taurus 605 .357 revolver.

I used up all of the SWC that I had so I decided to try some 158gr JHP since the price was only a little bit more. Problem is, I can't find any load data for using a 158gr JHP with red dot. I realize jacketed vs plain lead has different characteristics, pressures, etc, but since I am below the max load with the 3.0gr charge when I was using the SWC, is it a faulty assumption that I could start out with a 3.0gr charge with the same weight JHP? Or do i need to buy another powder for these bullets?

Thanks

1911rocks · April 11, 2010, 09:24 PM

Alliant Powders

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...rs/index.aspx&

Hogdons/IMR

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

38special needs to stay below ~13000CUP. This may yield between 720-890fps. This is too slow for a 158gr JHP to open reliably. Red Dot has a fairly steep pressure curve under heavy bullets. Most people using a JHP utilize the 125gr JHPs.
Powder Burn Rates- http://www.reloadersnest.com/burnrates.asp

Sevens · April 11, 2010, 09:28 PM

I have a 2005 Alliant printed guide and they suggest 3.2gr of Red Dot behind a 160 gr JSP.

Now, I've not ever heard of a 160gr JSP in any diameter, so I don't know where they found that bullet, but I'd say you are MORE than safe to try 3.0gr of Red Dot with your 158gr JHP bullets.

I'd think you would find them on the lighter side -- and shooting them out of a .357 Magnum revolver gives you a tremendous safety margin to start in that neighborhood and then advance that load.

Be careful when measuring a powder like Red Dot with small charges like 3 grains. Flake powders don't meter well out of most measures... you don't want those loads ending up too light and sticking a bullet in your bore.

If you decide that you like the Red Dot and want to stick with it, consider buying a large jug of Alliant Promo. While it's not exactly the same powder, Alliant says you may use Red Dot data exactly for Promo. Promo only comes in large jugs, it ends up being incredibly cheap.

April 11, 2010, 08:56 PM	#1
mjeselskis Junior Member Join Date: April 11, 2010 Posts: 1	Powder weight for 158 gr JHP vs 158 gr SWC Hello, I am fairly new to reloading, but am really enjoying it so far. Only load I have made so far is .38 special, 158gr SWC, CCI Primer, and 3.0 gr red dot powder. Load works well in my Taurus 605 .357 revolver. I used up all of the SWC that I had so I decided to try some 158gr JHP since the price was only a little bit more. Problem is, I can't find any load data for using a 158gr JHP with red dot. I realize jacketed vs plain lead has different characteristics, pressures, etc, but since I am below the max load with the 3.0gr charge when I was using the SWC, is it a faulty assumption that I could start out with a 3.0gr charge with the same weight JHP? Or do i need to buy another powder for these bullets? Thanks

April 11, 2010, 09:24 PM	#2
1911rocks Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2006 Posts: 424	Reloading data Alliant Powders http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...rs/index.aspx& Hogdons/IMR http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp 38special needs to stay below ~13000CUP. This may yield between 720-890fps. This is too slow for a 158gr JHP to open reliably. Red Dot has a fairly steep pressure curve under heavy bullets. Most people using a JHP utilize the 125gr JHPs. Powder Burn Rates- http://www.reloadersnest.com/burnrates.asp

April 11, 2010, 09:28 PM	#3
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	I have a 2005 Alliant printed guide and they suggest 3.2gr of Red Dot behind a 160 gr JSP. Now, I've not ever heard of a 160gr JSP in any diameter, so I don't know where they found that bullet, but I'd say you are MORE than safe to try 3.0gr of Red Dot with your 158gr JHP bullets. I'd think you would find them on the lighter side -- and shooting them out of a .357 Magnum revolver gives you a tremendous safety margin to start in that neighborhood and then advance that load. Be careful when measuring a powder like Red Dot with small charges like 3 grains. Flake powders don't meter well out of most measures... you don't want those loads ending up too light and sticking a bullet in your bore. If you decide that you like the Red Dot and want to stick with it, consider buying a large jug of Alliant Promo. While it's not exactly the same powder, Alliant says you may use Red Dot data exactly for Promo. Promo only comes in large jugs, it ends up being incredibly cheap. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.