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Thread: .38 Special 158g FMJ Loads
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September 10th, 2023, 08:52 PM #1Member
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.38 Special 158g FMJ Loads
Does anyone have any starting load suggestions with HP-38 for .38 Special 158g FMJ Roundnose bullets? I can’t find any information either in manuals or reloading websites. Looking to load them for competition.
Thanks!Philippians 4:13
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September 10th, 2023, 09:29 PM #2
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September 11th, 2023, 08:24 AM #3
Re: .38 Special 158g FMJ Loads
Ask the mods to kick this up to the reloading section.
May get more responses.
I started reloading in the dark ages and as Raxar implies most of the load data at that time would just say jacketed bullet. So we'd start low and work up.
Know some loading today like very specific data.You could contact the bullet manufacturer. They're usually very helpful.
Are these true FMJ's or plated? May, or may not, make a difference.It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.
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September 11th, 2023, 08:30 AM #4Active Member
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Re: .38 Special 158g FMJ Loads
I load at 3.9 decent accuracy, but I don't load heavy
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September 11th, 2023, 10:12 AM #5Member
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September 11th, 2023, 10:26 AM #6Active Member
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Re: .38 Special 158g FMJ Loads
I load better bullets powder coated so You can kinda ignore what I stated
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September 11th, 2023, 10:46 AM #7Grand Member
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Re: .38 Special 158g FMJ Loads
Plated bullets can not be pushed to the same velocities as jacketed but in a .38 this is not an issue. The original loading for a .38 was with a round nose lead bullet so just use that data. Different bullets have different ogive shapes and the max OAL can vary so always check that the cartridges just drops into in your cylinder.
For most competitions you only want a slower target load so find the most accurate load for your pistol. Low pressure loads can be dirty from poor ignition so you also want to make sure its a clean load with no unburnt powder.
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September 11th, 2023, 01:37 PM #8Member
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September 11th, 2023, 02:05 PM #9
Re: .38 Special 158g FMJ Loads
I stuck to lead bullet loadings for plated bullets, per everything I read online. The Lyman manual has the most info on lead bullet loadings from what I recall.
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