Load is Too Mild

[Ganderite]

I am experimenting with some very heavy bullets in a 38Spl.

The 210gr lead bullet over 7.4gr of 2400 is 865fps. A little hotter than what I want.

I only have a few of these bullets, so I tried some plated 200 gr bullets over 7.0 gr 2400, thinking this would be a good plinker version of the real deal. No good, velocity is 551 fps with a huge EV of 225 fps.

These rounds were loaded at the same session. So it is not a powder issue. Used Rem 1 1/2 primers.

The 210 gr bullet results are similar to the same load made before.

I will try 7.5 of 2400 and if that does not work, I will try HS6.

Edit: Tried 7.5 gr 2400 375 fps & 564 fps

So tried 8.0 of 2400 496 fps and 691 fps.

Will try a faster powder. Something like Unique.

 

[bearhunter]

It sounds like you're trying to duplicate the British 38/200 velocities?? in your 38 Special.

It's been my experience that lead bullets tend to give better velocities than jacketed bullets of the same weight by about 10% when fired out of pistols.

That extra air space in the case is likely going to give you some erratic velocities.

I use 3.5 grains of Unique with my cast bullets in both my S&W Model 10 and the S&W Victory model. The model 10 is wearing a 5 inch Victory bbl so they are very close to the same velocities, around 630 fps average.

I played with HS6 because I have half a keg left. Results were inconsistent with all the loads I tried, so I went back to the tried and true Unique. I also seat the bullets right to the top of the first band. The deeper seating depth seems to make a difference in my revolvers.

 

[Garand]

I've got a couple of cans of 2400 in my lockup that I need to find a reason to use. How was the accuracy that you got in .38 Spl using 2400?

 

[mbogo3]

Yes ,I am of the opinion that the jacketed bullets are slower caused by more drag in the bore than lubed lead.