What did you do today in the world of reloading?

[mongoose]

I ordered a bullet mold that I didn't even know existed.... a Lee mold, 105gr SWC for the .358 crowd.
I had toyed with the idea of getting a .32 cal revolver, but decided to just stick with my .38 special, but work up loads with lighter recoil.

They aren't for me, since I'm so manly and all that, but for any girly types that don't like the snap of full .38 special loads.....

ok, they're for me....

anyway, I have a 125 gr mold, and it's pretty nice, but thought I'd give the 105 gr a whirl... what's the worst that could happen? I might like it?

And this would still be more power than the .32's, theoretically....

Have you tried the Federal reduced recoil in 110 grain Hydro Shock for the 38spl?

 

[jason237m]

finished up a batch of about 2k .45 ACP and started changing my press over to 9mm

 

[hornetguy]

Have you tried the Federal reduced recoil in 110 grain Hydro Shock for the 38spl?

No.... I rarely buy factory ammo. That is, however, the idea I'm using... lighter bullet, experiment with loads to balance highest possible velocity with still acceptable recoil.

I've loaded some 148gr wadcutters at low power loads, approximately 650-700 fps, and those are not too bad at all....

I just didn't know that a "lighter than 125gr mold" was available. It will be interesting to see what can be worked up with it.

 

[benenglish]

I've loaded some 148gr wadcutters at low power loads, approximately 650-700 fps, and those are not too bad at all....

And in a human torso, they cut a full-diameter hole rather than pushing tissue out of the way.

There's a reason the standard 148 gr HBWC target load was commonly used by police officers who carried snubby revolvers back in the day. It's still a valid approach to defensive ammo.

I have thousands of rounds of factory target .38 Special wadcutters. I consider it the most all-around useful load for that chambering.

 

[hornetguy]

And in a human torso, they cut a full-diameter hole rather than pushing tissue out of the way.

There's a reason the standard 148 gr HBWC target load was commonly used by police officers who carried snubby revolvers back in the day. It's still a valid approach to defensive ammo.

I have thousands of rounds of factory target .38 Special wadcutters. I consider it the most all-around useful load for that chambering.

Yes... to me, that is likely the best load for self defense from a snubby....

 

[usmcpmi]

No.... I rarely buy factory ammo. That is, however, the idea I'm using... lighter bullet, experiment with loads to balance highest possible velocity with still acceptable recoil.

I've loaded some 148gr wadcutters at low power loads, approximately 650-700 fps, and those are not too bad at all....

I just didn't know that a "lighter than 125gr mold" was available. It will be interesting to see what can be worked up with it.

If you can go with a .357 dia., NOE makes a 95gr. mold.

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[usmcpmi]

Of course now that I looked, they are not in stock...


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[hornetguy]

I could likely make a .357 work, since I have been powder coating my bullets... that bumps them up a thousandth or more...
I'm curious to see how the 105 works... that will be the smallest I've ever shot in a 38/357...

 

[hornetguy]

I found a couple of videos of ballistic gel testing comparing the .32 Long wadcutter load to the .38 Special wadcutter load.
Eye-opening, indeed.
The .32 penetrated straight line in for around 14-15", when shot through one or two layers of denim.
The .38 penetrated straight line close to 18"....

This would lend credence to the notion of lighter wadcutter loads for the .38 being possibly more effective, or at least as effective as the hotter wadcutter loads....

I think the .32 was chrono'd at about 675 fps.... and IIRC, the .38 was chrono'd at the mid to upper 700's.
That test was pretty confidence-inspiring.... at least it's way better than throwing rocks at a bad guy...

 

[usmcpmi]

Here's a 98gr. that could be resized to .358.

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[Moonpie]

Loaded 100rds of .44Special.
Also loaded a small test batch of rounds using a new powder coated bullet in .45LC.

 

[wickll]

Loaded some Barnes 150 gr for my 7-30 waters using W748 powder to do a ladder test.. But before loading, discovered cases were slightly long. I used my lee case chamfering tool to take down , but that is really slow and tedious.

I searched the internet for a Lee case length gauge and trimming tool and /or a Lee Quick Trim die for the 7-30. Couldn't find it until finally I went to the Lee website and found they had the case length gauge there. Not too bad , $13 plus shipping. I don't reload large batches so I have found these work pretty well for me.

 

[hornetguy]

Follow-up.... I got the 105 gr mold in, and cast some this evening, just to see what I ended up with...
I like it.... I cast about 125 or so... average diameter was .359 - .360
The weight went between 106 and 107 gr. All in all, I think I'm going to like it.. now I need to PC these and get them loaded up

 

[Moonpie]

Cast a couple hundred .429 RNL

 

[HHH]

Well today nothing , but yesterday I finished up brass prep of 530 ,223 brass , cleaned , sized , length, all ready too add powder , bullet and crimp , but today I bought a new boat . I got side tracked

 

[usmcpmi]

Well today nothing , but yesterday I finished up brass prep of 530 ,223 brass , cleaned , sized , length, all ready too add powder , bullet and crimp , but today I bought a new boat . I got side tracked

Wait...what??
Pics of the boat, or we don't believe you!
LOL!

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[HHH]

Wait...what??
Pics of the boat, or we don't believe you!
LOL!

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[usmcpmi]

Nice! When are we going fishing?

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[candcallen]

Still dreaming of the day......

 

[deemus]

It’s a great time filler / distraction.

What calibers do you hope to load?