CAUTION: The following post (or a page linked to) includes or discusses loading data not covered by currently published sources of tested data for this cartridge (QuickLOAD or Gordon's Reloading Tool data is not professionally tested). USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assumes any liability for any damage or injury resulting from the use of this information.
I tried searching the forum, but I didn't see anything immediate related to this.
I've been fiddling with Hornady 158gr Swaged bullets and .38Spl to try and duplicate the old "FBI" load, which if correct, was a LSWCHP driven at about 1050 from a 4" gun, and would still get into the high 800s in a 2.5" gun.
What I'm about to say are loads I have loaded - Use at your own risk -
I managed to get that done in my 66-8 (2.75") with a 5.2gr charge of Unique in .38Spl cases.
I opted to try to get those same speeds from the same bullet and powder using 357Mag cases. No particular reason why, other than they're there.
I got that done with about 5.9gr of unique.
I Liquid aloxed the bullets to help eliminate any leading issues, which seemed to work ok. There's a few smears of lead in the barrel after 75ish rounds.
Anyway - on to my question - I noticed the PERCEIVED recoil with the 357 cases seemed less than with the 38Spl cases. The noise was more "thunderous", but the recoil seemed less sharp. I find this very odd.
Anyone have any insight as to why that would be?
I tried searching the forum, but I didn't see anything immediate related to this.
I've been fiddling with Hornady 158gr Swaged bullets and .38Spl to try and duplicate the old "FBI" load, which if correct, was a LSWCHP driven at about 1050 from a 4" gun, and would still get into the high 800s in a 2.5" gun.
What I'm about to say are loads I have loaded - Use at your own risk -
I managed to get that done in my 66-8 (2.75") with a 5.2gr charge of Unique in .38Spl cases.
I opted to try to get those same speeds from the same bullet and powder using 357Mag cases. No particular reason why, other than they're there.
I got that done with about 5.9gr of unique.
I Liquid aloxed the bullets to help eliminate any leading issues, which seemed to work ok. There's a few smears of lead in the barrel after 75ish rounds.
Anyway - on to my question - I noticed the PERCEIVED recoil with the 357 cases seemed less than with the 38Spl cases. The noise was more "thunderous", but the recoil seemed less sharp. I find this very odd.
Anyone have any insight as to why that would be?