.38 special semi jacketed lead HP
- Thread starter Vet66
- Start date
well, you load them the exact same as you load ANY other 158gr .38spl....... with a correct powder charge from a published loading manual or powder website.
I recommend staying simple with HP38/Win231, but there are many great choices. go to www.hodgdons.com and click on reloading data center, load to any 158gr jacketed bullet data for .38spl. there is nothing odd or unique about loading for a half-jacket over a standard jacket.
I recommend staying simple with HP38/Win231, but there are many great choices. go to www.hodgdons.com and click on reloading data center, load to any 158gr jacketed bullet data for .38spl. there is nothing odd or unique about loading for a half-jacket over a standard jacket.
As a corollary to this question, what is the fundamental difference between loading for a jacketed vs non jacketed bullet? Same bullet weight, same bullet profile, etc. but one is jacketed and the other lead. Other than desiring to keep the velocity of the non-jacketed low enough to prevent leading of the barrel, what physics come into play that would affect the load recipe?
), I would load to jacketed data and move on to my next dilemma. (i.e. don't over-think it.)Hammerhead
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My older Speer #11 manual warns about the half jackets separating from the core and the jacket lodging in the bore if loaded too light. Use jacketed data for 158s and don't below the minimum listed.
I have loaded thousands of half jacket speers. I have many in 158gr, never used them in .38spl, i did .357 mag. i came across a boat load of them for cheap, they wee about 20 years old. good bullets. interesting expansion, would be nice game bullet.
they always expand into a perfect circle like these, i have tested many in several medias, always same result. and they expand very large and keep a heavy core at base, never had jacket separation, but i know it can be an issue. to help avoid that, i do a heavy crimp on the cannelure that, i think, helps press the jacket into the lead so it stays put.
i have some from several different manufacturers, some have more of a flat nosed profile, but the round ones expand larger and feed better in the lever-action
these ones below are new manufacture sierra
*edit: sorry, i just noticed that your bullets have the cannelure in the lead and not the jacket...almost like a quarter jacket bullet, those are unique and don't think i have ever seen that. i almost wonder if that was a mistake on the bullet maker. i cant see why that would be desirable to have some of the , obviously soft swaged, lead contact the rifling.......odd
they always expand into a perfect circle like these, i have tested many in several medias, always same result. and they expand very large and keep a heavy core at base, never had jacket separation, but i know it can be an issue. to help avoid that, i do a heavy crimp on the cannelure that, i think, helps press the jacket into the lead so it stays put.
i have some from several different manufacturers, some have more of a flat nosed profile, but the round ones expand larger and feed better in the lever-action
these ones below are new manufacture sierra
*edit: sorry, i just noticed that your bullets have the cannelure in the lead and not the jacket...almost like a quarter jacket bullet, those are unique and don't think i have ever seen that. i almost wonder if that was a mistake on the bullet maker. i cant see why that would be desirable to have some of the , obviously soft swaged, lead contact the rifling.......odd
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Those bullets were designed to give Max. expansion at 38 Spec. velocities,they should work at moderate 357 mag. velocities as well. The copper cup acts like a gas check as well as engaging the rifling to give better stability at higher velocities with the softer lead so it doesn't skid on the rifling. Unless there are some issues with your gun you should have no problems shooting those bullets at factory 38 Spec. velocities. You should have no problem shooting pure lead bullets at 1K fps. + with a bullet that fits the cylinder throats and a good lube.
I believe those are old Remington Peters component bullets but several mfg. back in my early reloading days made those type bullets as well as individual that mfg. there own swaged bullets http://www.corbins.com/design.htm.
I'm more acquainted with the Speer 146 gr. Half Jacket bullets I used to shoot back in the old days before they were discontinued. I was lucky enough to snag a box setting on the shelf in an old gun shop a couple years ago,my Ruger BH in 357 Mag. loves that bullet. Nowadays I just cast my own and vary the alloy hardness to match the desired expansion.
I just leave the gas check off the 38 spec. loads as it's not needed at those velocities and pressures.
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The one I'm thinking of is a 146gn Jacketed Semi-wadcutter HP. I just looked it up in my old Speer #10. Speer bullet # 4205. Oddly, there is load data for them in Speer #14 in the 38+P section.
I miss JSWC's. Used to load tons of them - and didn't hold back on the powder (usually Blue Dot) either. Discontinued by the lawyers, no doubt.
I miss JSWC's. Used to load tons of them - and didn't hold back on the powder (usually Blue Dot) either. Discontinued by the lawyers, no doubt.
