advice please to a new reloader...

R

ruger22

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BC, sunshine coast
I just bought a smith model 27 in mint shape.
I am loading 38 special and have a supply of:
win SP primers
win 231 powder
good quality factory lubed lead bullets: 148 gr HBWC and 158 gr RNFP

1) 148 gr HBWC, win SP primers, OAL is 1.382" 3.9 gr win 231 powder. This grouped very well. The brass is all win white box target stuff.

2) 158 gr RNFP, win SP primers, OAL is 1.556" 3.9 gr win 231 powder. This grouped very poor. The brass is a mix.

What changes would you make to the 2nd load???
I have a few thousand of these bullets and they are much cheaper than the wad cutters.

thanks...
 
I don't load for .38, however standard procedures would be to look in a book and try different powders first.

the hodgon site lists a 158 GR HDY XTP using WIN 231, COL 1.455, starting load 3.8 grains up to 4.3 grains.

The mixed brass could also be something, you could sort the brass by weight.

Not sure if the OAL could be varied.
 
Maybe try reducing the charge. I get excellent accuracy out of my 686 with 3.1 grns of 231, pushing a 158 LDBWC with Federal primers. Length is 1.250".


Terry:D
 
You may be pushing the 148 gr. HBWC a little to hot. Drop down to not much more than 3.2 gr. you don't want to shoot HBWC's much over 800 fps. because the bullet may have some deformation, or lead your barrel. In the Speer reloading manual 3.3 gr. 231 = about 804 fps. Also the HBWC are designed to be seated flush to the case mouth, with a slight crimp. Overall case length about 1.165. This is how factory Wadcutter bullets are seated. This is almost the standard for shooting PPC out to 50 Meters. I don't load 158 gr. round nose bullets, but I do use 158gr. lead Semi-wadcutters with 3.8 gr. 231 and overall case length of about 1.468. If the bullet has a crimp ring around the bullet, seat them to the ring and then crimp into the ring. These shoot well from my S&W 686 also out to 50 meters.
 
Your HBWC is too hot. The standard for that bullet is 3.0gr 231.

For the 158, do as tms said.

Sorting brass by mfg doesn't do a thing at those velocities and pressures. (that's for the lower charges).
 
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