.38 special question

[Clovishound]

I recently received a set of dies for the used Model 10 I picked up a few weeks ago. I loaded up a bunch of 158 grain lead SWCs from Hornady. They shot very well in the mid ranges of Universal powder. Tight groups, little to no leading.

I picked up a box of XTP 124 JHPs and loaded them up at start, middle, and between middle and max. Used the listed OAL and a medium roll crimp using the Lee seating die. These were far less accurate than the lead SWCs. The groupings were all low as well. The heavier powder loads seemed to be slightly more accurate than the start loads.

I have only loaded 9mm prior to this. I have always found jacketed bullets to be as accurate as the lead bullets, and less sensitive to lower powder loads.

Is this normal for revolvers, or .38 spl specifically? Am I doing something wrong and not realize it. I carefully weighed all the powder weights for these evaluation loads. Is the smaller bullet responsible?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I have found the 38special is more accurate with jacketed bullets when run at the max or +P levels in my guns also. The 124gr bullets shoot low because they are lighter/faster.

 

[LAH]

Unless I'm mistaken the bullet you are using is a .355" bullet for the 9MM. It is most likely too small in diameter for the 38 Special.

http://www.hornady.com/store/9mm-.355-124-gr-HP-XTP/

 

[Clovishound]

Unless I'm mistaken the bullet you are using is a .355" bullet for the 9MM. It is most likely too small in diameter for the 38 Special.

http://www.hornady.com/store/9mm-.355-124-gr-HP-XTP/

Sorry, I had some cerebral flatulence. The box of XTP for 9mm was sitting in front of me and I inadvertently typed that. I was using 125 grain Gold Dots. They are sized .357 for 38/357. And yes, I am certain I did not mix them up when loading. The Gold Dots have a cannelure, the XTPs do not.

 

[WAYNO]

No, jacketed bullets are not automatically less accurate, but there are many other factors involved here.

Every gun has a preference for loads and bullets. Even two otherwise identical guns could have different preferences than the other.

Saying the jacketed bullet shot slightly better with a hotter load could suggest that that bullet needs a little more pressure to obturate to the bore. Could be the nature of that particular barrel, or could be the barrel is full of lead. Since many .38 Spl loads are of soft, swaged lead, I've found that lead can be a very serious problem in .38's.

Keep trying. You just might find another jacketed bullet that will be the cats meow!

WAYNO.

 

[Clovishound]

Did not see much of anything, except a little powder residue, in the barrel during cleanup after this range visit. The Hornady lead SWCs I shot before and after the HPs seem to deposit little to no lead in the barrel.

I was a little surprised by this. I have tried a couple types of jacketed in my 9mm, all with good results.

I was also surprised by how much I am enjoying this gun. I have been pretty much an auto man. LGS was getting in some used Model 10s from a security company, that was switching over their employee's equipment. They had a lot of holster wear, but most didn't seem to have a lot of rounds through them. I think the one I got had more rounds through it than others, but it is tight where it counts, and shoots quite well. Got what I thought was a decent price on it. It definitely has a nice trigger.

 

[protoolman]

Jacketed in .38 usually are most accurate when run at max velocities. They shoot low because the spend less time in the barrel "riding the recoil". Becasue of this most heavier-slower bullets shoot high.

 

[Clovishound]

Well, I went to the range today with some of these loaded at just shy of max. They were much more accurate. Still not as good as the lead SWC in 158 grain, but fairly close. I guess I will load them near max. I don't plan on using these for target fodder anyway.

 

[GLH]

As you know 38 Specials have been around a long time. You should be able to taylor a load for your gun.....jacketed or lead. The model 10 is a great gun. - gene

 

[WESHOOT2]

1) Squeaky-clean the bore
2) 'Condition' the bore with a few 'fouling' shots first
3) Begin load development with that Speer plated bullet
4) Suggest, for best accuracy, you try HS6 / AA5 / Power Pistol / Redding Profile Crimp Die; 'firm'.