Lead vs Jacketed

[Captain Quack]

Is there really any functional difference with load data for lead vs FMJ? I've got a whole bunch of RMR's 158 gr FMJ RN for my Wife's .38/.357 taurus for plinking and most of what I find is data for lead.

Captain Quack.

 

[243winxb]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?media/albums/load-data-lead-vs-jacketed-bullets.265/

 

[FROGO207]

Yes there is. Why bother to take the time to produce data for each type if they were the same? Lead engraves into the rifiling easier and is more "slippery" so it uses a lighter charge. Sometimes the jacketed round can be run faster because the lead will strip the rifling and be inaccurate. Often using lead data will stick a jacketed bullet in the barrel.

 

[Fatelvis]

Yes, as 243Win shows with his data, cast boolets generally take less powder to reach the same velocity as jacketed. They also reach their max pressure sooner than jacketed, due to the more fragile bullet base and possibility of leading.

 

[Bill M.]

Yes, there is a functional difference. There is a lot of data for jacketed bullets of that weight. In general jacketed data has higher velocities than lead.

 

[Captain Quack]

Why does none of this stuff show up when I search for it? Almost as bad as google not being able to find out when Mondale is being buried. (My flags have been at half staff for far too long). I have the Speer 13, The Lyman 47 and Lee's Modern Reloading. None of them have data for FMJ RN.

Captain Quack.

 

[ballman6711]

Why does none of this stuff show up when I search for it? Almost as bad as google not being able to find out when Mondale is being buried. (My flags have been at half staff for far too long). I have the Speer 13, The Lyman 47 and Lee's Modern Reloading. None of them have data for FMJ RN.

Captain Quack.

What powders do you have, and are you going to load 38spcl, 357mag, or both?

I use W231 for both 38 and 357 with a 158gr JSP with very good results. Mild and accurate in both chamberings when shot through my old Colt King Cobra.

chris

 

[Captain Quack]

Both. It's a mixed bag of powders. I bought what ever was in the Speers mostly for my calibers for plinking and cowboy action shooting and what ever was cheapest at the time. I have Unique. Blue dot. IMR 4227. Vih N 320. Hercules 2400. Reloader 7. Some IMR 4895 for the rifles. Mostly it's going to be mid range 158 gr for .38. Some .357 for practice and 9mm 115 gr. We still have a lot of cast for the .38 too. Box of 500 and the 500 158 gr from RMR.

Captain Quack.

 

[ballman6711]

Mostly it's going to be mid range 158 gr for .38. Some .357 for practice and 9mm 115 gr.

I'm using Sierra bullets so I use their data. They have an app for the phone that you can download, but it only shows their bullets. I also have their 6th edition which I like, but again only uses their bullets.

Vihtavuori also has a free app to download, as well as a free to use website. They show N320 for both 38 and 357. I found this for 357 magnum.


Bullet 10,2 g / 158 gr CBC, SJSP C.O.L. 40,0 mm / 1.575 inch

Powder Starting load Maximum load
Type Weight Velocity Weight Velocity
[g] [grs] [m/s] [fps] [g] [grs] [m/s] [fps]
N320 0,38 5.9 337 1106 0,48 7.3 381 1250
N340 0,45 6.9 359 1178 0,56 8.6 414 1358
N350 0,48 7.4 367 1204 0,61 9.4 428 1404
3N37 0,51 7.9 380 1247 0,62 9.6 433 1421
N105 0,64 9.8 406 1332 0,81 12.4 472 1549
N110 0,91 14.1 436 1430 1,11 17.2 508 1667

I also found some 38spcl data for N320, but you would have to determine which bullet is most similar to yours.

I would be happy to share my W231 loads if you'd like, just let me know.

As always, start low and work up to desired results.

chris

 

[.308 Norma]

Deleted.

 

[ericuda]

2400 and 357 lswc goes together like hot dog and mustard. Never made midrange with it though as it shines at top of range.

Unique is good for mid range. Haven't tried the other powders.

Like others fmj can be loaded hotter but for shooting steel or paper I would pick a mid range load, esp with unique and have fun.l

 

[Captain Quack]

I didn't think to ask RMR what the data was at the time but I do have a request in to their customer service. I'm a middle of the road kind of guy so I always go for the mid range load. Thanks for all the help. Just one more thing to do. Double check which powder for each book. I did find a site called "Stevespage.com" which seemed to show a lot of data for a lot of powders.

 

[Bill M.]

I get most of my load data from Hodgdon online or from Alliant online. Specific for their bullets most of the manufacturers have on line data. Sierra, Hornady, etc.

 

[mdi]

Why does none of this stuff show up when I search for it? Almost as bad as google not being able to find out when Mondale is being buried. (My flags have been at half staff for far too long). I have the Speer 13, The Lyman 47 and Lee's Modern Reloading. None of them have data for FMJ RN.

Captain Quack.

The 158 gr. FMJ Round Nose bullet for 38 Special doesn't seem to be very popular (I only found one vendor via google). The manuals I have on my desk don't show any loads for a 158 gr. FMJRN, but all show data for 158 gr. JHPs. I'd use the JHP data, do a load work up from starting loads, for a 158 gr. FMJRN.

 

[243winxb]

Mostly it's going to be mid range 158 gr for .38. Some .357 for practice and 9mm 115 gr.

Unique will work using data from Alliants website. The amount of powder listed is the maximum, so reduce for a starting load by 10%