Reloading Manual Question

[steve4102]

My question is..for example, page 354 (38 special), 158gr Jacket HP..under that 1.480"OAL (is this the MINUMUM length for this Cartridge with that bullet???

Back to the Original question. Answer, it is neither the Min or Max for this bullet .
It is simply what Lyman used during their testing. Hornady, Hodgdon, Accurate, Ramshot and Lyman all used a different OAL for this bullet. Use the OAL that best fits and functions in YOUR Firearm. As always, start low and work up.

[312shooter]

Originally Posted by steve4102

The tested information was not tested in the OP's firearm. The Tested OAL may not function correctly in the OP's firearm. Although this is less of a issue in a revolver, it is a huge issue in a semi-auto. First and foremost the handloaded ammo has to Fit-Feed-Fire. After all, if it does not fit-feed and fire there is no need to worry about pressures is there.

If you have a Lyman 49th, read the individual bullet weight data columns, all that was asked is what the OAL, BC and SD under each bullet weight meant. NOTHING ELSE. How do details of function testing semi autos relate to a thread concerning a 38?

Fit,Feed,Fire is 99.9% successful when resizing cartriges and seating bullets withing SAAMI specs, this is how commercial manufacturers produce ammunition to the public that works in most of our firearms. Again, this information is in load manuals, which when following them will produce ammunition that works well. The remaining information convoluting this thread is saturated with opinions and ego that guide a new reloader in a questionable direction, nuff said

[jpg5324]

No... No running away for me......Thanks for all the good input (sorry for the heated discussion...all questions have been answered.

[oldgunfan]

Wow, I don't know what brought all that on but I will say that If you look at the same load in speer's manual or hornady or Hodgdon they will all have different loading's for the same bullet. I have found hornady's loads to be on the light side. but just from my own note's I would say the 6grns of power pistol will be a +p load or close to it. the lyman manual could of had a typo and they ment 5.8max. the 4.8max that's not even close to max.

[oldgunfan]

Just looked at my Hornady manual and 38spl 158grn XTP with 6.0grns of powerpistol is a +p load. If you look at the load that's in the red there is a note at the bottom red= +p.