38 Special Load W/HP-38 & Precision Delta 158Gr FMJ

[WVsig]

I am getting back into shooting 38 Spl. Looking for something in the mid range but the info is all over the place. If I look on Hogdon's site the show 4.3gr as max with a Hornady XTP 158gr bullet with and overall length of 1.455"

I was going to go with 4.2gr of HP38 which I have on hand and S&B SPP seated to 1.455"

This is the bullet I am using.

38 Caliber 130 grain Full Metal Jacket Bullets | Reloading Bullets | Precision Delta

Looking at the Precision Delta bullet if I set the OAL to 1.455" it is over the cannelure. Will it be ok to seat to the middle of the cannelure an be a little longer? Also how much of a crimp do I need to use. I am using a Lee Turret with a 4 die set so it has their roll crimp die.

I am not new to reloading I just have not run 38 Spl in a while and want to create a decent load for a 15-1 an older M&P hand ejector and other .357 chambered S&Ws. All guns are 3" or 4" barrels.

Thanks in advance.

 

[e rex]

I think your load would e just fine. I load cast bullets in 38 special, 4 grains HP38 is a nice mild load with 150-160 grain cast. 4.5 grains same powder, same bullets seems to be a standard .38 load. Read a Winchester reloading guide, this powder is the same as Winchester 231 and their data is a lot better.

 

[Riomouse911]

Using the cannelure will be fine. You’re making them a fraction longer rather than shorter, so pressures won’t be increased from reduced powder space. (Lots of room in that case for such a small charge.)

I use a touch of roll crimp into the cannelure or crimping groove on .38 Spl loads for revolvers using my Lee set up. You won’t need much, just enough to feel a bit of a drop with a thumbnail as you run it along the case towards the bullet.

It’s a bit more of an art with plated bullets, I have cut the plating on wadcutters with too much crimp, and I’ve also had erratic performance with applying too little crimp as well. I guess it’s like the commercials said, “A little dab will do ya.”

Let us know how they shoot when you get a chance.

Stay safe.

 

[Random 8]

I would use the cannelure to set your OAL. Test first in one of the .357 guns. I think your load is in the ballpark.

 

[jag22]

It depends on how you feel about "felt" recoil. Most of us don't have pressure testers or chronos so we judge on recoil. That load in a small frame is going to be
up there. I don't do powder puff loads but 3.2 under a 158 piece of lead is soft. I also do a 4.0 version and there is a big difference. These are shot in a K frame
S&W with a 6" barrel. I just got an N frame S&W, again with a 6". The heavier frame definitely makes a difference. My soft load in the N frame feels more like a
.22, barrel rise is minimal. All that said, it depends on what you like but I would
suggest you only load up some various test loads. That's one of the reasons we reload.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Don’t worry too much about OAL being spot-on, just load and crimp into the cannelure.

4.2 grains under a 130gr FMJ bullet should be fine. I have loaded 4.5 grains of HP-38 under a 158 grain polymer coated bullet and it shot fine. I use 4,3 grains for a practice load

 

[WVsig]

Don’t worry too much about OAL being spot-on, just load and crimp into the cannelure.

4.2 grains under a 130gr FMJ bullet should be fine. I have loaded 4.5 grains of HP-38 under a 158 grain polymer coated bullet and it shot fine. I use 4,3 grains for a practice load

Thanks the bullets are actually 158gr. I am not sure why the link to the page shows 130g. This is the bullet https://www.precisiondelta.com/products/38-cal-158gr-fmj/?revpage=2

 

[bullseye308]

I don’t worry too much about oal in revolvers, but for sure measure the cylinder and make sure you don’t load one that is too long for it. As was mentioned, if they are plated you can crimp, just enough to hold it but don’t break the plating.

 

[blackd24]

I have both the hornady xtp and the precision delta bullets. They are virtually the same OAL and I didn’t even have to adjust the seating die when going from xtp to the precision delta bullets. You are fine using the xtp data on hodgons site. I actually load 4.2 grains of hp-38 for 9mm and I don’t adjust the powder measure for 38. Hope this helps. I can give you exact measurements for the xtp OAL if you’d like.

And to clarify, the Precision delta bullets are FMJ. I am only loading them for mid range 357 right now until so get through my acme 158 LSWC bullets in 38 special.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

With revolver ammo you are supposed to crimp into the supplied crimp groove. The OAL in the in order he reloading data is reporting the OAL they used with the bullet they used. It is not what you must use. Just roll crimp into the middle of the crimp groove and you are good.

One other thing, it's usually not a good idea to load right up against the max load right off the bat. Usually with a new load you start 10% lower than the max. That said, in this case you are probably safe since the .38 Special is a low pressure round but IMO 4.0gr is a better starting point. I use mostly W231 for my .38 Special ammo, good choice IMO.