Quoheleth
Member
It'll be at least a week before I get to the range [bummer] but I finally got almost all of my stuff together and am almost ready to start my first reload batch.
I'm using a Lee hand press, have a slough of .38 brass (thanks in no small part to some very generous THR members!!!) and a good selection of 158 gr cast WCs and SWCs. Gotta get my powder now and I'll be ready to rock.
Have a couple of quick questions:
1. Powder choice: I'm using the Lee dippers. I want as much variety as possible, able to shoot .38 Special, +P, and .357 Mag loads in my 158 grain lead bullets. Using my Lee manual (2nd Ed), there are only a few powders that match up to the dippers in all three loads. Two are Blue Dot and Accur #2. There are trade-offs with both: Blue Dot is a bit warmer, but uses about 2x the powder per round, so a pound doesn't go as far. ANyone have experience with either or both powder? I know there will be clean-up after either, but is one better than the other?
2. I ordered 2 boxes of Remington 158 lead HBWCs. Can I use loads printed for WCs in my HBWC's, or is there a difference because of the extra space in the hollow base? (Did that make sense???)
3. I know .38 Sp uses small, regular pistol primers and most .357 uses small magnum. What about +P loads?
4. I also ordered some Winchester 125 gr JSP. Lee doesn't show Winchester bullets as a choice, and neither do some websites. Can I sub any 125 gr JSP to get load information? (i.e. Hornady XTP) and still be safe?
I'm excited about getting started in this hobby & looking forward to the results. What would you recommend for a first batch - a couple dozen rounds to make sure I'm doing it right? Or go ahead and run a full box?
I'm using a Lee hand press, have a slough of .38 brass (thanks in no small part to some very generous THR members!!!) and a good selection of 158 gr cast WCs and SWCs. Gotta get my powder now and I'll be ready to rock.
Have a couple of quick questions:
1. Powder choice: I'm using the Lee dippers. I want as much variety as possible, able to shoot .38 Special, +P, and .357 Mag loads in my 158 grain lead bullets. Using my Lee manual (2nd Ed), there are only a few powders that match up to the dippers in all three loads. Two are Blue Dot and Accur #2. There are trade-offs with both: Blue Dot is a bit warmer, but uses about 2x the powder per round, so a pound doesn't go as far. ANyone have experience with either or both powder? I know there will be clean-up after either, but is one better than the other?
2. I ordered 2 boxes of Remington 158 lead HBWCs. Can I use loads printed for WCs in my HBWC's, or is there a difference because of the extra space in the hollow base? (Did that make sense???)
3. I know .38 Sp uses small, regular pistol primers and most .357 uses small magnum. What about +P loads?
4. I also ordered some Winchester 125 gr JSP. Lee doesn't show Winchester bullets as a choice, and neither do some websites. Can I sub any 125 gr JSP to get load information? (i.e. Hornady XTP) and still be safe?
I'm excited about getting started in this hobby & looking forward to the results. What would you recommend for a first batch - a couple dozen rounds to make sure I'm doing it right? Or go ahead and run a full box?
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