I'm working up some loads that will be fired out of both a 6" revolver (Ruger GP100) and a 24" carbine (lever action). The loads will all be 38 specials but both guns are 357's so +P is fine.
Due to component availability, I need to use Accurate #5 powder, Montana Gold 158 gr semi-jacketed soft hollow point bullets, CCI #500 primers, 38 special brass (Starline). Bullets are seated to the cannelure with a roll crimp applied.
My problem has been getting enough velocity out of the revolver to avoid the possibility of any jacket separation (had it happen when working up a load with some N-340 powder that I had). Per MG, I need to get to at least 750 fps. I would prefer 800 as then I could use the revolver in some competitive shooting as the minor power factor would require a velocity of 790+.
A quick summary of my last chrono'd load test (just showing lowest & highest loads) was as follows:
5.6 grains: Revolver=530 fps; Carbine=860 fps
6.2 grains: Revolver=708 fps; Carbine=987 fps
I plan on performing some additional testing @ 6.3 & 6.4 (absolute max per Accurate web-site and is +P per Hornady 9th edition). In the ideal world I would not want to be @ max given that it is possible for a load to drop +/- 0.1 gr.
Any feedback, insight, suggestions, experience that you would like to share would be appreciated.
Also, if I can not get the revolver loads fast enough, I may need to switch to a lead bullet -- any suggestions that will work well with AA#4 would be appreciated.
Due to component availability, I need to use Accurate #5 powder, Montana Gold 158 gr semi-jacketed soft hollow point bullets, CCI #500 primers, 38 special brass (Starline). Bullets are seated to the cannelure with a roll crimp applied.
My problem has been getting enough velocity out of the revolver to avoid the possibility of any jacket separation (had it happen when working up a load with some N-340 powder that I had). Per MG, I need to get to at least 750 fps. I would prefer 800 as then I could use the revolver in some competitive shooting as the minor power factor would require a velocity of 790+.
A quick summary of my last chrono'd load test (just showing lowest & highest loads) was as follows:
5.6 grains: Revolver=530 fps; Carbine=860 fps
6.2 grains: Revolver=708 fps; Carbine=987 fps
I plan on performing some additional testing @ 6.3 & 6.4 (absolute max per Accurate web-site and is +P per Hornady 9th edition). In the ideal world I would not want to be @ max given that it is possible for a load to drop +/- 0.1 gr.
Any feedback, insight, suggestions, experience that you would like to share would be appreciated.
Also, if I can not get the revolver loads fast enough, I may need to switch to a lead bullet -- any suggestions that will work well with AA#4 would be appreciated.
