Henry Rifle Forums

Hi all. got done loading up 6 of my 38spl. with the new bullets that are 125 gr. Plated Flat Point with 5.4 gr. of Unique powder and just got back from shooting them. The fastest was at 1124fps. and the slowest was 1048. I was getting a lot of black on the out side of the shell so don't know it is was a good crimp or what

Not sure I would consider that an issue. How did the round perform?

Low pressure loads will cause the black along the side of the case. This is not a problem and very common especially when shooting 45 Colt rounds.

My big concern is the load you are using. Alliant doesn't publish a load like this for that bullet, powder combination. Also your chrono data indicates this load is near or at the top velocity for a 38 spl. 125 gr. load. You're using a 125 gr plated bullet you need to be looking at loads for cast lead bullets. If you try to use recipes for jacket bullets you need to cut those down by 10% and start at the lower end and work you way up gradually.

I would also like to know how the round performed and if the primer showed any sign of excessive pressure.

Paul

Yep, what Al said. Not a problem. Looking at my Lyman book, you're good.

Load ran good and did not see anything wrong with the primers. I got the recipe from a few people on here and most said to go with 6 gr but I cut it back to 5.4gr

Ive not got a book in front of me but 6 grains would be a load in 357 brass not 38 special

Depends what you are shooting those rounds in. If a 357 Mag revolver or rifle you are fine. I have used 5.8-6.0 gr. of Unique with a plated 125 gr. bullet for a +P .38 Special load. I was seeing 950-1000 FPS out of my 4 inch S&W M-66 revolver.

The .38 Special +P "FBI load is a great one too with a Rim Rock 158 gr. SWC HP bullet loaded with 6.0 gr. of Power Pistol.
I will be doing some Ballistic Gel tests with that load and others soon.