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.357 Mag/.38 Special Powder Question

11K views 44 replies 9 participants last post by  gbyoung2 
#1 ·
Allow me to begin this by saying I am a complete noob when it comes to reloading. I'm just getting into this primarily as a hobby, and any of the stuff I'll eventually be reloading will be used just for plinking and not dead nuts accuracy.... altho' I enjoy knocking the center out of a target just as much as the next guy/gal.

My initial loads will be 30 Carbine using Berry's 110 gr. jacketed round nose bullets. Using reload data from Lee's Modern Reloading manual, Second Edition, it shows that IMR 4227 powder as one of the selections for 30 Carbine. A local gun store had that in stock (as well as the Small Rifle Primers – CCI #400) so that's what I bought. FWIW – H4227 is also shown for that weight bullet, and the specs. for both are exactly the same across the board. They are listed one directly above the other in the Manual chart, therefore, I think I'm set for the 30 Carbine using the IMR 4227. Given the exact specifics of the chart, I think H4227 could also be used.

And now for the question(s).....

The other rounds I'll be reloading are 158 gr. .38 Special and .357 Magnum for my Taurus 608SS4 revolver. The bullets I have are Berry's 158 gr. Preferred Plated (also round nose) and I am planning on using those for both the .38's and the .357's. I selected 158 gr. since those were the weights of the bullets in the original factory rounds that I have been shooting. The Manual shows Small Pistol Primers for these rounds so I picked up a box of CCI #500 types.

Powder, and load data:
None of the load data in the Lee's Manual I have list the IMR 4227 for use with a 158 gr. jacketed, or plated bullet. H4227, however, is listed for use with .38 Special lead bullets. I do find it interesting to note that the H4227 is listed for the Hornady 158 gr. XTP for both .357 Mag., and .38 Special loads.

Since I was fortunate enough to find a large 8 lb. jug of the IMR 4227 for use with the Carbine loads, I would like to try and find a way to also use it with the .38 and .357 stuff too. Given the difficulty in finding any and all powders to fit specific loads and bullets in today's political climate-induced shortages, I am sure someone out there has had to come up with safe load data to accommodate that powder and bullet type. I hope I'm not naive enough to think that's not the case.

Lots of words to try and come up with an answer, so what are ya'lls thoughts?

Thanks in advance.
 
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#38 ·
Yup, GB - there are several .30 Carbine handguns out there. My favorite .30 Carbine caliber handgun is the old Ruger Backhawk. My brother had one, and I had the opportunity to fire it. Fun to shoot, but you could feel the muzzel blast smacking you in the face with every shot. I don't own one, but that would be my next if I were to buy another firearm.
 
#39 ·
One that I found that looked interesting was the AMT Automag III. To bad the company went belly-up in such a short period of time. I also found the Ruger. Nice, and obviously a hellava lot more reliable.

As interesting as the pistols look, I'll stick with my M1 Carbine rifles. Just got my Rock-ola back from the CMP Custom Shop after being re-barreled with a NOS Rock-ola barrel I picked up several years ago. Also had them zero it in at 100 yds. and I am happy with the results. I got Expert Marksman with the Garand when I was in the service, but couldn't hit squat with the Carbine. I redeemed myself a number of years ago with my first one, and hope to repeat that with the Rock-ola once I get a chance to get out to the range.

CMP Test Target sent back with the gun:


Trust ya'll have a safe holiday w/e.
 
#41 ·
I know some of ya'll think I'm nuts in my thinking, but I have a "bad" habit of questioning everything I do, which might label me as being a perfectionist - but - that's just me...... especially when it comes to reloading. Being new at this game, I want to make darn sure my powder loads are correct so I don't blow up my gun, or myself.

Presently, my powder measuring equipment consists of a Lee Precision Powder Measurer (based on volume in an adjustable graduated tube), and a Frankford Armory DS-750 digital scale.... neither of which are really a high-dollar items. Since the scale really determines the grain weight of the powder going into a round, that was the one I was most concerned about. You can adjust the discharge of the Measurer based on the weight of the dump as measured on a scale. Consistent speed/movement of the Measurer dump arm will result in a consistent grain weight of the charge you're about to feed into each round.

To confirm the accuracy of the scale in the grain weight area I am presently fooling with (13 grain Carbine, 9 grain .38 spcl., and 14.5 grain .357 Mag. - IMR 4227 powder for all) I picked up a Lyman calibrated weight check set to confirm/check the accuracy of the scale. To my relief and pleasant surprise, the scale measured all the weights in that set exactly.

This is good for I have already loaded a clip's worth of 30 Carbine, and am ready to start loading some of the .38 Special I have. I've already primed a mess of those and it is comforting to know I can move forward and dump the powder and be accurate in what I am doing.

Okay, I'm bored and sorry to bother ya'll with my trivial blathering.

.30 Carbine Porn:


:)
 
#44 ·
Didn't make it to the range Monday, but did get out there today with both Carbines, and the Taurus 608SS4 revolver. I was able to test the 30 carbine reloads in the rifles, and the .38 Special and .357 Mags in the revolver. The IMR4227 powder worked great in all the rounds I used it in. None of the guns blew up and I still have all my fingers. :)

'Course, I had to pick a day where we set a temp record here. Hot as Hades out there. Regardless, I'm happy with the reloads. Now to finish all the rest of the rounds I have.
 
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