Hello folks,
been registered as a "member' for a while but have mostly just been reading, which has been great. But now i need to venture into the deep end of the pool for some advice.
Just started reloading. Picked up a Lee classic turret press and a set of dies for .38/.357 and .45acp. I tested my first set of loads using a chrony. It looks like my velocities are a bit low compared to Lee's manual. Accuracy wasn't spectacular either. Here is what I tested:
.38: S&W 686 w/ 5" barrel
speer copper plated flat nosed bullets, 125 grain
Bullseye powder-
3.9 grains of BE, ave velocity was 742fps, ES about 90fps, SD 25fps
4.3 grains of BE, ave velocity was 790fps, ES 48-66 (two sets), SD about 20fps
groups about 2-3" rested.
on the 4.3/4.4 grain load, Lee estimates a velocity of about 981-1000fps.
I tested some cheep factory loads w/ 125 grain fmj fp bullets and they came in around 939fps. in the ball park.
On the .45 acp, - Sig P220st w/rail
200 grain speer cooper plaited semi-wc,
5.0 grains bullseye = 780 fps, ES = 11 to 36fps, SD 6- 11fps
5.2 grains.............=820fps, ES = 40fps, SD 17fps
5.7grains..............=860fps, ES=60fps, SC 20
Again, the Lee manual states I should see about 915-960(max)fps.
The 5.2grain sets gave me 2 and 3" groups, rested at 50ft.
Temperature was a balmy 50 degrees, very little wind and perfect light for the chrony.
I am wondering why the 38's didn't group better and why their velocity was so much lower than the manual estimates.
Can you give me some pionters or critiques about what I could do to improve?
My goal is to have tight groups (of course) for fun on the 38's. Eventually work on .357loads that duplicate home defense loads so I can practice. On the .45 i want to duplicate home defense loads that are accurate so I can at least see if it is me or the ammo that is not so good. I have used another guy's handloads using lead swc bullets and a light charge. I put 16 rounds in a half-dollar sized hole at 10 yards off hand. I'd like to get that kind of load mysself!
Sorry for the long post. I appreciate any ideas or critiques.
John
been registered as a "member' for a while but have mostly just been reading, which has been great. But now i need to venture into the deep end of the pool for some advice.
Just started reloading. Picked up a Lee classic turret press and a set of dies for .38/.357 and .45acp. I tested my first set of loads using a chrony. It looks like my velocities are a bit low compared to Lee's manual. Accuracy wasn't spectacular either. Here is what I tested:
.38: S&W 686 w/ 5" barrel
speer copper plated flat nosed bullets, 125 grain
Bullseye powder-
3.9 grains of BE, ave velocity was 742fps, ES about 90fps, SD 25fps
4.3 grains of BE, ave velocity was 790fps, ES 48-66 (two sets), SD about 20fps
groups about 2-3" rested.
on the 4.3/4.4 grain load, Lee estimates a velocity of about 981-1000fps.
I tested some cheep factory loads w/ 125 grain fmj fp bullets and they came in around 939fps. in the ball park.
On the .45 acp, - Sig P220st w/rail
200 grain speer cooper plaited semi-wc,
5.0 grains bullseye = 780 fps, ES = 11 to 36fps, SD 6- 11fps
5.2 grains.............=820fps, ES = 40fps, SD 17fps
5.7grains..............=860fps, ES=60fps, SC 20
Again, the Lee manual states I should see about 915-960(max)fps.
The 5.2grain sets gave me 2 and 3" groups, rested at 50ft.
Temperature was a balmy 50 degrees, very little wind and perfect light for the chrony.
I am wondering why the 38's didn't group better and why their velocity was so much lower than the manual estimates.
Can you give me some pionters or critiques about what I could do to improve?
My goal is to have tight groups (of course) for fun on the 38's. Eventually work on .357loads that duplicate home defense loads so I can practice. On the .45 i want to duplicate home defense loads that are accurate so I can at least see if it is me or the ammo that is not so good. I have used another guy's handloads using lead swc bullets and a light charge. I put 16 rounds in a half-dollar sized hole at 10 yards off hand. I'd like to get that kind of load mysself!
Sorry for the long post. I appreciate any ideas or critiques.
John
