Loaded up 60 rds last night for the 'mini-buffler rifle'; another 40 on the block.
Ended up getting 18.3 grs FFFg into the cases using a thin card wad under the SPG lubed RCBS SWCs that weigh 164 grs. before sizing/lubing. Two drops from the RCBS #11 "Little Dandy" rotor.
That puts it into the Colt .38/.38 RF class. The original .38 Spl. load was 18-21 grs, depending on make; but that was with balloon headed brass.
The wads being .375, it was finnicky getting them in and down with a .36 cal. short starter, not a job for folks with fat fingers. That compressed the powder quite a bit; final compression done during bullet seating. Total compression was close to 1/4"! FFFg packs well. The long bearing surface of the bullet seats deeply into the case.
I pulled one of the bullets to check before crimping and found out that like larger BPR rds, it's the top part of the powder that gets compressed. I had to dig out that part with a dental pick and the bottom half shook out freely.
Drop tubing didn't seem to have enough of an effect settling powder to make it worth the trouble. I used a magnum primer, so combustion ought to be OK.
The proof will be in the poof!
Ended up getting 18.3 grs FFFg into the cases using a thin card wad under the SPG lubed RCBS SWCs that weigh 164 grs. before sizing/lubing. Two drops from the RCBS #11 "Little Dandy" rotor.
That puts it into the Colt .38/.38 RF class. The original .38 Spl. load was 18-21 grs, depending on make; but that was with balloon headed brass.
The wads being .375, it was finnicky getting them in and down with a .36 cal. short starter, not a job for folks with fat fingers. That compressed the powder quite a bit; final compression done during bullet seating. Total compression was close to 1/4"! FFFg packs well. The long bearing surface of the bullet seats deeply into the case.
I pulled one of the bullets to check before crimping and found out that like larger BPR rds, it's the top part of the powder that gets compressed. I had to dig out that part with a dental pick and the bottom half shook out freely.
Drop tubing didn't seem to have enough of an effect settling powder to make it worth the trouble. I used a magnum primer, so combustion ought to be OK.
The proof will be in the poof!
