.38 Special load?

Monkeyleg · March 23, 2000, 05:20 PM

A friend gave me a hundred of his .38 special loads to try out. On the sight-in, I got a 12 shot group measuring about 1 1/4" at 50 feet off sandbags. The load is 3.5 grs W 231 over a 148 gr lead wadcutter. I took the brass and
bullets he sold me and loaded them up. But the groups I got were much larger than with his reloads. Any ideas on where to start looking for variables? He said to crimp _very_ lightly, which I did. I did not ask what primers he was using; I used Winchester.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Dick

Big Bunny · March 23, 2000, 08:25 PM

Monkey those groups sound too good, some psyche is probable, as you were using them first time ? Have faith in your own abilities my friend...and check sights tightness !!

I also suggest you check the diameter and type of projectiles you are using and slug your barrel diameter to be compatible [rather than the cases, but check them for splits.] A chronograph for a 38Spl should be 650-900FPS - but your load seems OK by me and an up to 4" group not un-usual at 50m especially for the ballistically inefficient '44 Gallon barrel' W/Cutter!

Try again after digesting above ...and good luck, enjoy your research !

------------------
***Big Bunny***

Monkeyleg · March 24, 2000, 05:19 PM

Thanks, Big Bunny. I went back just now and measured the target again. It was 1 1/4" center to center at the widest spread of the group. The group actually was just three large holes.

The bullets I used yesterday are the same ones that my friend uses; I bought them from him.

Maybe it was the temperature, maybe it was me. That's the fun of handloading, or the frustration, depending upon how the load shoots.

Dick

March 23, 2000, 05:20 PM	#1
Monkeyleg Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 4,625	A friend gave me a hundred of his .38 special loads to try out. On the sight-in, I got a 12 shot group measuring about 1 1/4" at 50 feet off sandbags. The load is 3.5 grs W 231 over a 148 gr lead wadcutter. I took the brass and bullets he sold me and loaded them up. But the groups I got were much larger than with his reloads. Any ideas on where to start looking for variables? He said to crimp _very_ lightly, which I did. I did not ask what primers he was using; I used Winchester. Any ideas would be appreciated. Dick

March 23, 2000, 08:25 PM	#2
Big Bunny Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 1999 Location: New South Wales - Australia Posts: 605	Monkey those groups sound too good, some psyche is probable, as you were using them first time ? Have faith in your own abilities my friend...and check sights tightness !! I also suggest you check the diameter and type of projectiles you are using and slug your barrel diameter to be compatible [rather than the cases, but check them for splits.] A chronograph for a 38Spl should be 650-900FPS - but your load seems OK by me and an up to 4" group not un-usual at 50m especially for the ballistically inefficient '44 Gallon barrel' W/Cutter! Try again after digesting above ...and good luck, enjoy your research ! ------------------ *Big Bunny*

March 24, 2000, 05:19 PM	#3
Monkeyleg Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 4,625	Thanks, Big Bunny. I went back just now and measured the target again. It was 1 1/4" center to center at the widest spread of the group. The group actually was just three large holes. The bullets I used yesterday are the same ones that my friend uses; I bought them from him. Maybe it was the temperature, maybe it was me. That's the fun of handloading, or the frustration, depending upon how the load shoots. Dick