Q about reloading some BNWC in 38 special cases...

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KYGlassman
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Q about reloading some BNWC in 38 special cases...

Post by KYGlassman » Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:03 am

I am about to commit the most common novice reloader foul and ask for confirmation/criticism of an intended load.

138 grain BNWC (button nose wad cutter)
seated to the crimp groove. 1.280 c.o.l.
Titegroup starting charge 3.5 grains.

Try to find that load data. I have 500 of these Bayou Bullets that are 138 grain, not 148, not 158. Not a typo.

Thoughts?

TC

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Re: Q about reloading some BNWC in 38 special cases...

Post by PDM » Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:15 am

I've never loaded anything but 148 SJHP in .38 but I used about 4.2gr of titegroup.

I always look at handloads.com database to get a feel for a new load before I start
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Re: Q about reloading some BNWC in 38 special cases...

Post by Wyldman » Thu Feb 09, 2017 11:32 am

Bare lead bullets, even hardcast, are typically loaded to lower velocities than standard loads to prevent leading up barrels.

How much Titegroup does your manual call for on the 148gr bullet?


Crush, kill, mangle, maim, destroy.
Last edited by Wyldman on Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Q about reloading some BNWC in 38 special cases...

Post by KYGlassman » Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:13 pm

My Lyman manual only has a 150 grain wad cutter and the charge goes from a starting of 3.1 to a max of 3.5 and a col of 1.317

However I had already checked handloads.com. I use them a lot and also the Hogdon sight and also my dies had some load data. Most of the 148 grain wc started at 3.1 or 3.3 for a starting charge. That with a 148 or 158 grain bullet. I also finally found one post by someone working with this exact bullet and powder. Here are their results...

38 special cases
Bayou bullets 138 grain oal 1.280
3.5 grains titegroup 874 fps 120 of
3.8 grains titegroup 968 fps 133 pf
4.0 grains titegroup 999 fps 137 of
Slight flattening of primer at 4.0 grains


I knew all that before I posted. I was gambling that maybe one of you had dealt with this very bullet.

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Re: Q about reloading some BNWC in 38 special cases...

Post by Wyldman » Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:23 pm

Unfortunately, I have not used those exact bullets, but the load data you listed should be ok, though, being anal about my loads, I would start around 2.8 gr and work up until they either started leaving lead in the barrel, or pressure signs started showing and then back off from there.

What pistol do you intend to use these in?

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IN GOD WE TRUST

"That boy's paradigm don't always add up to four nickels...."

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Re: Q about reloading some BNWC in 38 special cases...

Post by KYGlassman » Thu Feb 09, 2017 7:41 pm

S&W 686

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Re: Q about reloading some BNWC in 38 special cases...

Post by KYGlassman » Fri Feb 10, 2017 6:11 pm

I loaded up 21 (3 cylinders worth) at 3 grains and they did really well. Very mild load and surprisingly accurate at ten yards. They did better than some 158 grain Geco stuff I caught a sale on. In the photo below the little yellow plates on the horizontal hanging plate rack in the middle with the red steel bottles are 3 inches and nailing them with the reloads was easy pickings. With the Geco stuff it was...I'm gonna say it...hit or miss.

Image

Aftermath...

Image

With their "Sunday go to meetin" clothes on...

Image

TC

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Re: Q about reloading some BNWC in 38 special cases...

Post by Wyldman » Fri Feb 10, 2017 11:02 pm

Nice! Good lick!

Crush, kill, mangle, maim, destroy.
IN GOD WE TRUST

"That boy's paradigm don't always add up to four nickels...."

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