Powder Load Help

[ES175]

I am new to reloading and I wonder if I can get a bit of help regarding the the amount of powder to use for my loads. I am reloading 38 SP for cowboy action shooting. I loaded a whack of rounds with 158 gr, semi wadcutter lead bullets using 3.5 gr of bullseye. The rounds work good in my revolvers but they don't load very well into my lever action rifle as they tend to bind against the shoulder of the SWC bullets.
I have bought 1000 130 gr RNFP lead bullets because they will work in the revolvers and the feed well into the rifle. My problem is I can't find a suggested powder load in my Lee manual. I checked the Alliant website and I can't find my particular bullet type.
Would 3.5 grains of Bullseye work OK with the 130 gr RNFP bullets?

Thanks

 

[ElmerFudd]

Well, I have been using quite a few 130 gr. LRNFP bullets and have been using 4.6 gr. of Bullseye. Closest load I have found was in the Lyman 48th Edition, that listed a 120 gr. LRN bullet using a max 4.6 gr. of Bullseye and 4.9 gr. for a +P load. So the 4.6 gr. would be a +P load with the 130 gr. It has worked quite well for me but might be a bit heavy for a 38 Special gun. Lowest for the 120 gr. LRN was 2.8 gr. of Bullseye.

I don't have the chrono results handy. Remember if you are shooting in a rifle you don't want to go too low as to cause a bullet to lodge in the barrel.

I'd recommend starting at about 4.0 gr. of Bullseye and see how it goes for your guns.


Fudd

 

[sunray]

"...130 gr RNFP..." The Hodgdon site has loads for it. 130 grains is an odd weight though. data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
"...tend to bind..." Try loading down to the shoulder and putting a light roll crimp on. Sometimes a light crimp can aid feeding.
You really need to work up a load for each firearm. No two firearms will shoot the same ammo the same way. Especially a rifle and a handgun.
Is the rifle you're using chambered in .38 Special or .357 Mag? If it's in .357, load .357 brass to .38 velocities, but work up a load for each firearm.