you did not indicate which primer you're using.
Winchester (WSP).
HP-38 and W231 are the same powder, just different lots of the same powder.
Several years ago, I was at my LGS, and they had both HP-38 and W231. Interestingly enough, they had the exact same lot numbers.
What may mean something is you're using .3 gns above the plus p load listed by the manufacturer of the powder,
I didn't look at Hodgdon's data. I looked at Hornady and Sierra. Hornady maxes at 5.7 grains (I'm at 5.6), and shows a velocity of 950 (I'm at 978) through a Model 15, 4" bbl. Sierra shows 5.8 grains at 1000 f/s, 6" bbl.
. . . it would seem to indicate being slightly above max pressure.
I think so too.
There are likely slightly slower powders to get the same velocity at less pressure. One being unique.
Yes, I know. I appreciate the suggestion. But I wasn't chasing a velocity. I was doing a quickie work up using HP-38. I primarily wanted to get max performance from this propellant, and the resulting velocity was secondary. My go-to for max velocity is Power Pistol
. I've retired Unique.
On a side side note , I’m worried my pistol god is asking questions I think I know the answers to lol
Heh, thanks Metal god
. I know, this seems to be a rather novice post for one who has been loading for 38 years (okay, two weeks short of 38 years). But I am rusty. I took a 16-month hiatus from shooting/loading to get moved to Idaho. I've gotten humble in my old age (or at least less arrogant
). Something just didn't feel right and so I thought it would be prudent to just get some others to take a look and give their opinions.
And I do appreciate the responses. Thank you everybody.
Something else to add here (and something I didn't think of until after my original post): This 1# cannister of HP-38 I'm using has a lot number that suggests a manufacture date of 12/12/14. I purchased it on 1/13/15. I first opened it on 8/17/18. It's about half full. I suspect that it as lost some moisture; and hence, some density. I'm setting the charge by weight. Perhaps I'm actually throwing more powder than if it was new? The simplest explanation is usually the correct one.