Duplicating characteristics.

Pond, James Pond · March 5, 2014, 03:47 PM

With my carry gun being a .38Spl, I first started off loading it with factory WC loads (147gr). Light loads but accurate. I then opted for stouter 158gr TC FMJs, then 158gr SP before going full circle and returning to the WCs following advise on this forum.

So that is what I might need to shoot, goodness forbid it ever comes to that.

However, my bullet supplier only really gets plated 125gr TC bullets in .357 cal, so that is what I reload.

So if we consider that my factory WC loads are flying at about 650fps or there abouts and my existing 125gr loads can push the bullet to about 780fps, is there a way to easily work out how to load my 125s to mimic the performance of the 147s?

I will be trying them side by side, but it has been so long since I shot the WCs, that I can' remember exactly how they feel and I want to be prepared for what measurements I may need to make a duplication possible.

Why?
So I can train with the 125s, whilst duplicating the recoil, muzzle flip etc of the WCs.

Just seems like it would make my training more beneficial.

Wreck-n-Crew · March 5, 2014, 04:11 PM

Quote:

So I can train with the 125s, whilst duplicating the recoil, muzzle flip etc to the WCs.

Yes it is possible since your 158 GR SC are light loads you can mimic the effect with a heavier loaded 125 Gr By bumping your charge up. Just don't exceed max.

What I would do:
If for instance your if 125 GR are loaded on the low end as well and you have .8 Gr to go until you hit max I would load 3 test loads of 5 each in increments of .2GR .

When you test take some of the 158 GR with you and load them with each test staggering between the 158 GR and 124 GR. Staring with your first batch of .2 GR heavier load and moving up to .6 gr. As you go along you will find a matching recoil within reason.

What Powder do you use? Charge Weight? OAL?

Pond, James Pond · March 5, 2014, 04:57 PM

Powder is N320, and the charge is 5.2gr or 4.9 depending on whether they are standard or mag primers. OAL is 36.5mm.

In a sense I was hoping there'd be a formula or some kind to give me a ball-park figure in FPS that I should be aiming for with the 125gr rounds.

It may be I am there already.

March 5, 2014, 03:47 PM	#1
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Duplicating characteristics. With my carry gun being a .38Spl, I first started off loading it with factory WC loads (147gr). Light loads but accurate. I then opted for stouter 158gr TC FMJs, then 158gr SP before going full circle and returning to the WCs following advise on this forum. So that is what I might need to shoot, goodness forbid it ever comes to that. However, my bullet supplier only really gets plated 125gr TC bullets in .357 cal, so that is what I reload. So if we consider that my factory WC loads are flying at about 650fps or there abouts and my existing 125gr loads can push the bullet to about 780fps, is there a way to easily work out how to load my 125s to mimic the performance of the 147s? I will be trying them side by side, but it has been so long since I shot the WCs, that I can' remember exactly how they feel and I want to be prepared for what measurements I may need to make a duplication possible. Why? So I can train with the 125s, whilst duplicating the recoil, muzzle flip etc of the WCs. Just seems like it would make my training more beneficial. Last edited by Pond, James Pond; March 5, 2014 at 04:51 PM.

March 5, 2014, 04:57 PM	#3
Pond, James Pond Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2011 Location: Top of the Baltic stack Posts: 6,079	Powder is N320, and the charge is 5.2gr or 4.9 depending on whether they are standard or mag primers. OAL is 36.5mm. In a sense I was hoping there'd be a formula or some kind to give me a ball-park figure in FPS that I should be aiming for with the 125gr rounds. It may be I am there already.