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March 12, 2024, 05:57 PM | #1 |
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How to handle Berry's hollow pointn 125g
Being a Bullseye shooter, I recently got into 38spl. That
with a SW52, shooting HBWC only. My load for that bullet is 2.7gr of W231, and gives me 720fps reliably. I am totally clueless about the HP target 125gr. The one try was to load one on my 550 with the same settings as the HBWC, only slightly pressing the bullet into the case. I then went to the same taper crimp, and thought, OK, let's see how that does. Holy crapola! 425fps, I'm amazed it cleared the barrel. Do I need a different crimp die for these bullets? Any advice welcome, and of course one is not a good test. |
March 12, 2024, 07:15 PM | #2 |
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See https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/?t=2
You are waaaaaaaay under-powered for that combination. Your heavier (148gr ?) hollow-base wadcutter's thin skirt flush OAL/greater seating depth probably saved you there, but not with the 124/solid base at normal OAL/seating depth. . Last edited by mehavey; March 16, 2024 at 01:12 AM. |
March 12, 2024, 11:26 PM | #3 | |
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Over the years I'd say easily 90% to 95% of my reloading has been with Berry's bullets. I like the bullets but their loading guidance is ridiculous. From the page for that bullet (and all other bullets):
Quote:
What I do see is a 125 gr Hornady XTP, which (except for the cuts at the mouth of the hollow) is somewhat similar to the Berry's target HP in profile. The suggested starting charge is 4.3 grains, which is supposed to produce 826 fps. The maximum charge is 4.9 grains, which is supposed to produce 934 fps. I have to agree with mehavey -- your charge is waaaaay too light fior that bullet.
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March 13, 2024, 12:02 AM | #4 |
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The case (seated bullet) capacity difference, alone, is going to make that load fall on its face.
HBWCs are not TCHPs and require different data.
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March 13, 2024, 08:01 AM | #5 |
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I knew the 2.7gr was probably light, given the case volume, but
up a whole grain will be my first try, maybe 4.0. Many thanks for the replies. I am using up a batch of Magnum primers I happened to have, but I have read that should not matter? |
March 13, 2024, 08:04 AM | #6 |
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I forgot to mention that the 2.7 load for HBWC is pretty standard
among the bullseye crowd. 2.9 is the highest I have seen mentioned. |
March 13, 2024, 10:21 AM | #7 | |
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Quote:
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March 13, 2024, 11:05 AM | #8 | ||
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I might be over-thinking this. My first impression was that you're shooting these in your S&W Model 52. I think you must be shooting these in a revolver.
Are you talking about this bullet?: https://www.berrysmfg.com/product/bp-38-357-125gr-thp So you're loading a 125gn bullet with 2.7 grains of W231? Quote:
Quote:
Just to gain more perspective: I load my 125 JHP's to 5.4 grains and they chrono at 955 f/s (same gun). I consider this to be a "+P" loading. I have gone as high as 5.6 grains and they chronoed at 978 f/s. Hornady's published max is 5.7; and, Sierra's is 5.8. I'm adding in this paragraph just to get a feel for the kind of W231 powder charges that are typical for 38 Special under 125's. No load advice here. Just one guy's experience that I hope you find enlightening.
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March 13, 2024, 02:46 PM | #9 |
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Nick you are on the ball. I am shooting the Berry's 125 HP in a
SW 686 witha 4in barrel, indoors at 20yds max. Good luck to anybody trying to shoot HP's in SW52's. Really appreciate the load info. I was thinking about the case volume, which is why I only made one round. Stay tuned, 4.0 etc coming up-not looking for power, just enough to be consistent and punch nice holes in paper. |
March 14, 2024, 05:01 AM | #10 |
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The recommended load for 148gr HBWC using HP38 is 3.5-4gr, I’ve never heard of loading them with such a light load. On the other hand 2.7-2.8gr of Bullseye is pretty much the standard for these bullets. So using a load already way below minimum in a heavier bullet to test a much lighter bullet is no bueno, lighter bullets require more powder, not less. Nick C S is pretty much spot on for what your doing.
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March 14, 2024, 12:22 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
I'm pretty sure (as others have mentioned) that you are confusing a Bullseye powder load with a W231 powder load. Glad you didn't get it reversed. |
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March 15, 2024, 12:09 AM | #12 | |
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Quote:
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March 15, 2024, 08:03 PM | #13 |
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You guys are confusing Bullseye Shooting with the gunpowder.
I never use the powder, and folks on the Bullseye Forum are where I got the info about loads for HBWC. After firing hundreds of rounds of HBWC with 2.7gr of W231, I get consistent 720fps which is what I want in a load designed to put holes in paper |
March 15, 2024, 11:30 PM | #14 |
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RCBS Cast Bullet Manual (number 1) lists 4.0gr of W231 powder as their starting load for the 148gr wadcutter. This gives mid 800fps from a 4" revolver.
4gr of 231 under a 125gr bullet, not a heavier wadcutter seated flush with the case mouth will be "lighter" but might produce the same or higher velocities. Might be less though as the difference in powder space will have an effect on the pressure. Don't know if that will counter the lighter bullet weight, or not. Your gun, your ammo, you test it.
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March 16, 2024, 01:13 AM | #15 | |
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Quote:
. Last edited by mehavey; March 16, 2024 at 01:25 AM. |
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