Hodgdon data 148gr HBWC with HP38

[Dudedog]

Getting ready to load some .38/.357 HBWC for the first time.
(Thanks jell-dog for the PIF bullets and your data. )

Just thought I would double check with Hodgdons data from thier site,
found the following

357 148 GR. HDY LHBWC Hodgdon HP-38 .358" 1.290" 3gr 845fps 14,300 CUP 3.4gr 908fps 17,600 CUP

38 148 GR. HDY LHBWC Hodgdon HP-38 .358" 1.160" 3.5gr 869fps 14,200 CUP 4gr 956fps 15,900 CUP

Do you think maybe Hodgdon got the data swapped? That would make sense. They show .357 less powder, bigger case, more pressure at MAX load and tiny bit less at start charge.
Pressure test barrel differences? Different batch or brand of 148 HBWC? Lot to lot variation in HP38? (not likely .5gr diff)
Not worried about the numbers just had to do a double take when I saw them. I have other manuals just got a laugh out of looking at this three times to make sure I was reading it right.

Other powders listed make sense, less powder for 38 special.

 

[BracketRacer_57]

Dudegog - I had the same question on that data and in my research found a post (I can't find the post right now - I believe it was either here on over on TFL) that had a response from Hogdon. Apparently Hogdon found that for the .38 Special, the primer was unseating the bullet before the powder was ignited. This increased the case volume so an increased load was needed to reach the desired velocity.

I have loaded several hundred .357 mag 148gr DEWCs with 3.0grs of HP-38 and found they were accurate and very pleasant to shoot.

Hope this helps.

 

[kcofohio]

RCBS doesn't list pressures, but here is what they list:

Bullet; 38-148-WC

357 HP-38 3.8-4.3 gr. @ 836-940 fps.

38 Spl HP-38 4.0-4.5 gr. @ 848-946 fps.

 

[Dudedog]

Intersting RCBS shows less HP38 for .357 as well.
Primer pushing the bullet out sort of makes sense.
Hodgdon does list less for .38 with other powders.

Not really concerned about the data so much as just curious.

 

[cfullgraf]

There are many reasons that data varies between published data. Bullets, powder lots, technicians, lawyers, test apparatus, climate, phases of the moon, how the CEO held his mouth , and so forth.

It gets frustrating for the new reloader at times.

Do a search of the forum on data comparisons and it comes up frequently, not just for 148 HBWC and HP38 but many many combinations.

Happy Holidays.

 

[Dudedog]

Loaded 1000 and 1000s of rounds of other stuff, just never this combo.


#1 get the bullet out the barrel
#2 don't blow the skirt off and leave it in the barrel

Fail on 1 or 2 and fire another round

Not worried about data.
Going to start with with about 2.7 Bullseye in .38 case and see how it goes.
Will probably try some with 3 of HP38 as well.

Of course if the Bullseye load shoots great I may quit while I am ahead.
(hopeffully it will in my Python if I do my part)

That way I can save my HP38 fo .45s.