.38 reloading oops

Thanks for everyone’s help with this. All of my manuals are newer editions and I notice as posted above that charges can vary between editions of the same manual for the same load. Why is this?


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In my Hornady 3rd edition it shows a 110 grain HP (lead core with a jacket) using 7.0 grains of Unique as a +P load in a S&W #19 with a 4 inch barrel. My Sierra fifth edition, 6th printing has the same load listed for their 110 grain JHC Blitz bullet.The XTPS is a lead core jacketed bullet so it might be OK in a +P gun.
I am not sure of the bullets construction so I would opt to pull the bullets and use a lighter charge. I like living on the edge as long as the edge is not sliding down the slope. It might be fine for one time or 20 but It may damage your gun or the shooter in a worst case scenario.
 
StihlKicking, "charges can vary between editions of the same manual for the same load".
No kidding. Found this regarding your load in Hornady #4: 110 HP/XTP--5.3gr Unique is max. Hornady #8, same bullet: 6.3gr Unique is max. Both are listed as +P. Dang!
Its why cross referencing really helps here. Lordy!
 
StihlKicking said:
Thanks for everyone’s help with this. All of my manuals are newer editions and I notice as posted above that charges can vary between editions of the same manual for the same load. Why is this?


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Reloading manuals aren't hard and fast formula. They are published reports of what some lab techs found when they used their brass, their powder, their primers, their bullets in their test equipment. Some results are published from different tests (with different lots of components) and some are still listed in CUP and some use modern, electronic equipment and publish PSI results. Your (and other labs') result will vary...
 
My Hornady 9th using their 110 grain XTP suggest a starting load of 5.2 grains of Unique working up to a maximum load of 6.3 grains with 6.3 grains being a +P load. Their test gun was a S&W Model 15 with a 4" barrel. Hornady is also known for being conservative on their load data. As to an older manual my Speer #11 for a 110 grain HP reflects a start load of 5.4 grains of Unique working up to a maximum load of 6.2 grains with 6.2 grains being a +P load. Their test gun being a Ruger Security 6 with a 6" barrel. Looking back to my Sierra 50th Anniversary Edition 38 Special with a 110 grain JHP bullet they run Unique from a start of 5.8 grains to a maximum load of 7.0 grains. Their test gun was a S&W K38 6" barrel.

The manuals are merely guide lines as has been pointed out. My opinion? You have a relatively hot 38 Special load. Would I shoot them? Yes, in a decent revolver I would shoot them but looking at all the data you need to decide what works for you.

Ron
 
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