Just purchased a box of 122 grain LRNFP bullets to reload .38 Special rounds for use in my S&W 686. Found a recipe using Universal powder for a 125 grain bullet with a minimum charge of 4.3 grains and a maximum charge of 4.7. Unable to locate a recipe for 122 grain bullet. Can I use this recipe with the 122 grain bullet, or modify the charge or just just forget the whole think and purchase some 125 grain bullets.
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Newby Question about loading 122 grain LRNFP
- Thread starter rmarkari
- Start date
Welcome to The Firing Line.
Yes. For a few reasons.
First, you're using data for a heavier bullet to use for a lighter bullet. That is generally a safe substitution. Going the other way around (data is for a lighter bullet than what is actually being used) is where more caution is needed.
Your 122gn bullet is a round nose - which means it's not an unusual profile (like a wadcutter); therefore, most near-weight load data will sufficiently interchange with it.
Your bullet is lead so it'll slide down the barrel with ease compared to plated or jacketed. All else being equal, that means lower peak pressure. So if your reference load data was for jacketed, the lead equivalent will likely have a lower peak pressure.
Last, you're going to shoot them through a husky L-frame Smith 686. Your gun - assuming proper working condition - can handle loads with double pressure compared to 38 Special - it's safe to say you have a lot of "headroom" to play with here.
Can I use this (125gn) recipe with the 122 grain bullet(?)
Yes. For a few reasons.
First, you're using data for a heavier bullet to use for a lighter bullet. That is generally a safe substitution. Going the other way around (data is for a lighter bullet than what is actually being used) is where more caution is needed.
Your 122gn bullet is a round nose - which means it's not an unusual profile (like a wadcutter); therefore, most near-weight load data will sufficiently interchange with it.
Your bullet is lead so it'll slide down the barrel with ease compared to plated or jacketed. All else being equal, that means lower peak pressure. So if your reference load data was for jacketed, the lead equivalent will likely have a lower peak pressure.
Last, you're going to shoot them through a husky L-frame Smith 686. Your gun - assuming proper working condition - can handle loads with double pressure compared to 38 Special - it's safe to say you have a lot of "headroom" to play with here.
Agree that the 3gr difference shouldn't make a whole lot of difference, especially with the 38Spl as opposed to say a 9mm.
As always start at the low charge and work up. Also the Round Nose Flat Point shouldn't make much difference with you starting loads. I ran into a similar problem with a 380acp round. The listed bullet was a round nose and the one I was using was a round nose flat point of the same weight. Not having a round nose to compare it to I loaded it about .010" longer than the round nose and started there. Once I worked up to the charge I found I wanted to stay with I then started playing with the seating depth to tweak it.
As always start at the low charge and work up. Also the Round Nose Flat Point shouldn't make much difference with you starting loads. I ran into a similar problem with a 380acp round. The listed bullet was a round nose and the one I was using was a round nose flat point of the same weight. Not having a round nose to compare it to I loaded it about .010" longer than the round nose and started there. Once I worked up to the charge I found I wanted to stay with I then started playing with the seating depth to tweak it.