Looking for load vs. hold over data in 8" .357

[Budda]

I like varmint hunting and my all time favorite rifle to shoot is my .17 hmr. But it is too easy. I can hit stuff out to 250yds all day with it. So I bought a 8" scoped revolver for a new challenge. I hand load but can't find much holdover data for a .38 /.357 with a 125grn lead bullet out to 150 yards. I have 700x and unique for powders in .38 loads. I would like to keep them under the speed of sound for stability reasons. So 1100 fps or less. What loads or data can you guys suggest?

[g.willikers]

Here's a trajectory chart.
They don't go out to 150 yards, but it's a start:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_trajectory_table.htm

[Boomer58cal]

Google "ballistic calculator" or hornady.com has one. You just enter your velocity, BC and bullet weight. Make sure you use pistol and not rife data and it will get you close.

Good luck
Boomer

[jmr40]

There are lots of online calculators. I use this one. As long as you know the bullets BC, actual velocity, and bullet weight you can use this out to 1,000 yards.

http://www.hornady.com/ballistics-re...ics-calculator

[Budda]

Ok. Lol. What is the BC of a 125grn RN cast boolit?

[Boomer58cal]

The bc is different for every bullet/manufacturer. What brand and bullet type?

[Budda]

Cheyenne cast 125grn LRN.

[Mike / Tx]

Ok. Lol. What is the BC of a 125grn RN cast boolit?

Seen it coming, loved it....LOL (Sorry just gigged my funny bone. )


Well you could always do like I did, pick up some of those project boards, the ones with the paper on each side and the foam in the middle, I kind of got lucky when they did a spring clean at work and tossed a few dozen of them. (or cardboard works just as well). Staple on a decent sized target, once you know your velocity, then just start moving it on back.

Just keep holding on the same exact spot for each range and you will have your drops down pretty quick. From there you can usually reverse engineer the BC based upon the drop and velocity. Might take a little bit of plugging numbers but usually you can find something close to work with on one of the manufacturers sites.

Either way, you will still know your velocity, and at what range how much it drops with say a 50yd zero. Going forward from there, you can easily jump the zero out to 100yds and then check the rise at 25,50, & 75, just to see if you need to hold under. Ho much depends on how they fly, and the size of your intended critter.

On a side note, you might find that something with a WFP design in the 140-160gr range will possibly do a bit better, especially if your getting the same velocity your looking at. They just seem to carry much better than the lighter stuff to further distances. I haven't gotten to them in my .357's yet, but I certainly have seen it with my 44m, and my 45 Colt with loads in the velocity range your looking to be. The heavier ones will certainly be a bit better in any kind of wind for sure.

[WESHOOT2]

Many of my data manuals offer 'drop-charts' in back........

[Boomer58cal]

Yep. Nosler has a universal drop chart in the back.

Cheyenne's web site give no BC for any of their bullets.

Looks like you need a chrono and a tape measure.


Boomer