[Skinnedknuckles]

I have an Alpha Chrony that I use for working up loads. Currently, I'm working up some hotter .38 Special loads using X-Treme plated 125 gr flat points with H-38 and I'm not getting near what I expected in velocity based on Hodgdon's site. I'm using a new Taurus Model 66 with a 4" barrel, and I do expect to be lower than the published data with the shorter barrel but not as much as I'm seeing.

To test the Chrony, I shot some Remington Green Box +P 125 gr SJHP at 10'. Remington data says 945 fps MV and I'm getting 890 fps at 10' so I think the Chrony is pretty accurate.

Now for some reloads. Hodgdon doesn't publish data for plated bullets but I expect it to be faster than jacketed, slower than lead for the same load based on what I've read, so I'm comparing to Hodgdon's data for the 125 gr Hornady XTP. For 5.3 gr HP-38 (+P load) Hodgdon calls for 1018 fps and I'm getting 840 fps, which is a big miss to me. For 4.9 gr (max .38 Special load) they list 934 fps and I got 775 fps, again a big miss. My measurements are at 10' since I want to protect my chrony.

Anyone else have a similar experience or do you get the velocities Hodgdon publishes? Thanks.

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

There's no way you're going to burn that much HP38 in a 4" barrel. What length barrel did Hodgdon use?

Actually, I was about 150 fps slower with the revolver and about 150 fps faster than Hodgdon with a 20" Rossi Model 92. No idea what Hodgdon used.hod

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

There's no way you're going to burn that much HP38 in a 4" barrel. What length barrel did Hodgdon use?

MadKaw, why do you say that much HP-38 can't be burnt in a 4" barrel. I think of HP-38 as a fairly fast powder, and expected pretty full burn even up to low .357 Magnum levels. Hodgdon lists 8.5 gr of HP-38 as max for .357 Magnum, and I was planning to try some rounds in the 6.0-6.5 gr levels. They don't say what length barrel, and I don't think I would try that much in a 2" snubbie, but 4" is pretty respectable.

What powder would you recommend for a bit hotter .38 Special (+P or +P+) in the 4" Model 66? My hands don't really like full house .357 Magnum loads but every once in a while something a little louder is fun at the range.

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

Are you adding a crimp to your reloads? That can have some effect on muzzle velocity and will also raise pressure as well.

Yes, the X-Treme plated bullet has a cannelure and I'm using a moderate roll crimp (1/2 turn on the Lee FCD). The Berry's plated bullet does not have a cannelure and I'm using a moderate taper crimp (1/2-3/4 turn with a modified 9mm taper crimp insert in the Lee FCD).