Hi guys,
Gun: S&W 686P with 6" barrel
Rounds: 38 Special loaded with 158 grain lead RN and lead SWC using both Unique and Bullseye powders.
Question: How much recoil should I expect when shooting lead bullets? Should it feel comparable to factory copper plated or FMJ bullets?
I shot off my first reloads this past weekend. The only time I shot lead bullets from this gun was with 357 Mag I bought at a range that were lead semi-wad cutters, I'm assuming these were gas checked or something. Anyways, when I loaded these 38 special (with lead) I started at the minimum loads and stepped up toward the max. Before I shot them I first shot a factory 38 special 158 grain, it was FMJ or some cover, just to compare the sound and recoil to my reloads. My first (low charged) rounds were like shooting off a 22cal. A little pop and a lot of smoke, soot and orange flame - I thought they could be squibs (I never had a real squib before). As I got into the rounds with heavier powder charge up toward the maximum recommended (4.2 gr of Unique, 3.7 gr of Bullseye) the recoil still only felt around 85% of the force felt by shooting the factory ammo. The smoke and soot was somewhat less for the heavier charges, but still dirty. I assume the soot, smoke and orange flame is from inefficient combustion due to low pressure.
Should I expect less recoil when I reload with lead bullets? I know I am probably pushing lower velocity with lead - therefore less initial energy in launching these bullets. But when looking at the charts for lead bullet velocities with max powder charges and comparing that to the velocities of some jacketed or copper plated, they all seem to be in the 900fps range. That would make me think similar recoil is expected.
I inspected all cases for head swelling and primer cratering / pocket swelling and there did not seem to be any excessive pressure issues.
The barrel had some leading around the breech and the cylinder had some leading where the bullets live. I'm going to assume the leading may be due to low pressures that created insufficient bullet base obituration - causing hot gas to leak past the bullet and create gas cutting.
What do you think? Should I be getting similar recoil with the lead as with the factory ammo? I don't want to push more powder than what the books say - just to obtain the right "feel".
Any advice is appreciated.
Gun: S&W 686P with 6" barrel
Rounds: 38 Special loaded with 158 grain lead RN and lead SWC using both Unique and Bullseye powders.
Question: How much recoil should I expect when shooting lead bullets? Should it feel comparable to factory copper plated or FMJ bullets?
I shot off my first reloads this past weekend. The only time I shot lead bullets from this gun was with 357 Mag I bought at a range that were lead semi-wad cutters, I'm assuming these were gas checked or something. Anyways, when I loaded these 38 special (with lead) I started at the minimum loads and stepped up toward the max. Before I shot them I first shot a factory 38 special 158 grain, it was FMJ or some cover, just to compare the sound and recoil to my reloads. My first (low charged) rounds were like shooting off a 22cal. A little pop and a lot of smoke, soot and orange flame - I thought they could be squibs (I never had a real squib before). As I got into the rounds with heavier powder charge up toward the maximum recommended (4.2 gr of Unique, 3.7 gr of Bullseye) the recoil still only felt around 85% of the force felt by shooting the factory ammo. The smoke and soot was somewhat less for the heavier charges, but still dirty. I assume the soot, smoke and orange flame is from inefficient combustion due to low pressure.
Should I expect less recoil when I reload with lead bullets? I know I am probably pushing lower velocity with lead - therefore less initial energy in launching these bullets. But when looking at the charts for lead bullet velocities with max powder charges and comparing that to the velocities of some jacketed or copper plated, they all seem to be in the 900fps range. That would make me think similar recoil is expected.
I inspected all cases for head swelling and primer cratering / pocket swelling and there did not seem to be any excessive pressure issues.
The barrel had some leading around the breech and the cylinder had some leading where the bullets live. I'm going to assume the leading may be due to low pressures that created insufficient bullet base obituration - causing hot gas to leak past the bullet and create gas cutting.
What do you think? Should I be getting similar recoil with the lead as with the factory ammo? I don't want to push more powder than what the books say - just to obtain the right "feel".
Any advice is appreciated.