help with 38 spl load

bossman · January 17, 2011, 09:15 PM

A friend gave me some Hornady lswc 158 gr, from what I can find they're cold swage and have no crip groove. Suppose to have a dry lube.

Lee manual has 158 gr lead 3.5 to 4.5 Universal.

Speer has 158 lswc 4.2 to 4.6 universal

Lyman has 158 lead 4.2 to 4.7 universal

Hodgdon has 158 cast lead 3.5 to 4.5

Can anyone help out with the Hornady load useing universal and with no crip groove how do I seat them?

I'm new at reloading so please be gentle, Thanks

capbuster · January 17, 2011, 09:31 PM

You might find your powder answer at the Hodgdon Power website. You might try a light roll crimp on your reloads using swaged bullets. I have had good results with this over the years.

GP100man · January 17, 2011, 11:56 PM

Go with the starting load of UNIVERSAL , as stated the bullets are cold swaged soft stuff & can`t handle alot of pressure !!!

Each revolver is as individual as anything else , if pushed check for strippin on ya check loads before loadin up a bunch.

10 Spot Terminator · January 18, 2011, 07:49 AM

Recommend a taper crimp die for those swaged boolits. Puts a long slow crimp on them and helps to insure good bullet alignment as well.

bossman · January 18, 2011, 08:38 AM

I'll be shooting a 3 in J-frame if it makes any difference. I know they are a low pressure round but 2 manuals say start at 3.5 and 2 say start at 4.2 with Universal. That seems to be a large gap for starting loads. Would the cold swage be about the same as cast for load information. I mean just find info for a 158 gr. lswc and go from there? It seems every bullet I get is out of the norm for my manuals.

reloader28 · January 18, 2011, 10:25 AM

If your loading the 38spl, you dont need a crimp at all. Not even for hot loads. I never crimp anything except for 44's that are either hot loads or will go in the rifle.

Theres no sense in crimping if you dont have to. Its just more stress and less life on your brass. Take the flare out and stop there.

Myself, I would start with 3.5gr - 4gr. 38's dont make alot of pressure anywhere in the load range but try the low loads first. Bullet to barrel fit will be the determining factor. Its possible you may have to run a hot load to keep from leading the barrel.

griz · January 18, 2011, 10:45 AM

I use the LSWCHP version of that bullet. I seat them so I can crimp over the shoulder of the bullet. Works for me anyway.

I think the big difference in starting loads comes from the various opinions of a minimum velocity for 38 special (to avoid bullets stuck in longer barrels). Unless you want a max load, I would pick a middle of the road amount of Universal and be happy with what I suspect will be a fine load.

AlaskaMike · January 18, 2011, 11:51 AM

It's probably worth looking at the OALs in the different manuals. The ones citing lower starting charges may be seating the bullet deeper.

jimbob86 · January 18, 2011, 11:58 AM

..... for their 158 gr LSWC,

C.O.L = 1.455"

Clays Universal 3.4gr to 4.4 gr for 650 to 850 f/sec out of a 4" barrelled S&W Model 15

GP100man · January 18, 2011, 03:59 PM

BE sure your looking at clays UNIVERSAL & not CLAYS data !

Why Hodgdon done the clays series like they did is beyond me & some times can get confused looking in 1 manual to the next !!!

CLAYS is a fast powder & UNIVERSAL is a medium powder, some compare UNIVERSAL speed to Unique.

oneounceload · January 18, 2011, 04:24 PM

There is CLAYS, UNIVERSAL Clays, and INTERNATIONAL Clays from Hodgdon, along with ClayDot from Alliant - so as mentioned, make sure you are looking at the right one

crowbeaner · January 18, 2011, 06:53 PM

I used to load them over 4.5 of good old dirty, stinky, grungy Unique for the snubby. The swchp is a pretty good candidate for the duplication of the old FBI load, but I prefer the Speer brand for that.

January 17, 2011, 09:15 PM	#1
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 996	help with 38 spl load A friend gave me some Hornady lswc 158 gr, from what I can find they're cold swage and have no crip groove. Suppose to have a dry lube. Lee manual has 158 gr lead 3.5 to 4.5 Universal. Speer has 158 lswc 4.2 to 4.6 universal Lyman has 158 lead 4.2 to 4.7 universal Hodgdon has 158 cast lead 3.5 to 4.5 Can anyone help out with the Hornady load useing universal and with no crip groove how do I seat them? I'm new at reloading so please be gentle, Thanks __________________ NRA life member When the going gets tough, I just open another beer.

January 17, 2011, 09:31 PM	#2
capbuster Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 1999 Location: Bessemer,Alabama Posts: 302	You might find your powder answer at the Hodgdon Power website. You might try a light roll crimp on your reloads using swaged bullets. I have had good results with this over the years. __________________ cliff

January 17, 2011, 11:56 PM	#3
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	Go with the starting load of UNIVERSAL , as stated the bullets are cold swaged soft stuff & can`t handle alot of pressure !!! Each revolver is as individual as anything else , if pushed check for strippin on ya check loads before loadin up a bunch. __________________ GP100man

January 18, 2011, 08:38 AM	#5
bossman Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 996	I'll be shooting a 3 in J-frame if it makes any difference. I know they are a low pressure round but 2 manuals say start at 3.5 and 2 say start at 4.2 with Universal. That seems to be a large gap for starting loads. Would the cold swage be about the same as cast for load information. I mean just find info for a 158 gr. lswc and go from there? It seems every bullet I get is out of the norm for my manuals. __________________ NRA life member When the going gets tough, I just open another beer.

January 18, 2011, 10:25 AM	#6
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	If your loading the 38spl, you dont need a crimp at all. Not even for hot loads. I never crimp anything except for 44's that are either hot loads or will go in the rifle. Theres no sense in crimping if you dont have to. Its just more stress and less life on your brass. Take the flare out and stop there. Myself, I would start with 3.5gr - 4gr. 38's dont make alot of pressure anywhere in the load range but try the low loads first. Bullet to barrel fit will be the determining factor. Its possible you may have to run a hot load to keep from leading the barrel. Last edited by reloader28; January 18, 2011 at 10:32 AM.

January 18, 2011, 07:49 AM	#4
10 Spot Terminator Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2008 Location: Central Oregon Posts: 348	Recommend a taper crimp die for those swaged boolits. Puts a long slow crimp on them and helps to insure good bullet alignment as well.

January 18, 2011, 10:45 AM	#7
griz Senior Member Join Date: July 31, 2000 Location: Middle Peninsula, VA Posts: 1,588	I use the LSWCHP version of that bullet. I seat them so I can crimp over the shoulder of the bullet. Works for me anyway. I think the big difference in starting loads comes from the various opinions of a minimum velocity for 38 special (to avoid bullets stuck in longer barrels). Unless you want a max load, I would pick a middle of the road amount of Universal and be happy with what I suspect will be a fine load.

January 18, 2011, 11:51 AM	#8
AlaskaMike Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Posts: 941	It's probably worth looking at the OALs in the different manuals. The ones citing lower starting charges may be seating the bullet deeper.

January 18, 2011, 11:58 AM	#9
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Hornady 5th Ed. sez.... ..... for their 158 gr LSWC, C.O.L = 1.455" Clays Universal 3.4gr to 4.4 gr for 650 to 850 f/sec out of a 4" barrelled S&W Model 15

January 18, 2011, 03:59 PM	#10
GP100man Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2007 Location: Tabor City , NC. Posts: 1,969	BE sure your looking at clays UNIVERSAL & not CLAYS data ! Why Hodgdon done the clays series like they did is beyond me & some times can get confused looking in 1 manual to the next !!! CLAYS is a fast powder & UNIVERSAL is a medium powder, some compare UNIVERSAL speed to Unique. __________________ GP100man

January 18, 2011, 04:24 PM	#11
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	There is CLAYS, UNIVERSAL Clays, and INTERNATIONAL Clays from Hodgdon, along with ClayDot from Alliant - so as mentioned, make sure you are looking at the right one

January 18, 2011, 06:53 PM	#12
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	I used to load them over 4.5 of good old dirty, stinky, grungy Unique for the snubby. The swchp is a pretty good candidate for the duplication of the old FBI load, but I prefer the Speer brand for that. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.