Question about seating depth and charge

[Guest Sec334]

I bought some lead bullets from Missouri Bullet Co. These are 158gr. for .38 special.

The reloading books I have say a length of 1.44" to 1.45". If I seat these bullets to the crimping groove , they are 1.42" in length.

My question is, how much do I need to back off the charge if I load max? I'm using HP-38 or W231. I assume if I load in the low to middle range, it would be ok.

Thanks

[LngRngShtr]

Start in the middle and work up watching for pressure signs as you go,..ie: hard extraction, flattened primers (not 100% reliable as primer hardness varies) punctured or loose primers though you should stop before you get to the last 2

your OAL can be affected by your initial brass length also, compared to what the reload manual states as cartridge length,.. straight walled cartridges tend to shrink the more they are reloaded I would go by the standard "back off 10-15% and work up in your firearm"

Also if you have a chronograph you can watch the velocity curve,sometimes more powder = less velocity depending on the powder/crimp/bullet combo or especially from shorter barrels you "max out" due to incomplete burning, why waste the powder , unless you like fireballs...

May I ask as to the intended purpose of the loading ? paper punching , hunting etc.

John

[Guest Sec334]

John,

Most of my shooting will be paper punching.

I did buy these to shoot in my 1894CB and Blackhawk. I watched some Cowboy Action Shooting last year and have been ruined since.

I didn't think it would be a big issue with seating to the crimp groove. I'm new to this reloading thing and needed some advise I couldn't find.

[LngRngShtr]

Cool,.. always loved the six-guns... I run a pair of vintage Herters single actions,not much for cowboy action shooting I have enough hobbies... LOL

Ask away if you have any other questions,.. this is a pretty friendly bunch here..

John

[gregintenn]

2-3 thousandths shouldn't reduce your case capacity very much at all. I doub't you'll see any measurable difference in pressures. As others have said, start at minimum and work up.

[glockster157]

The OAL listed in most reloading manuals is based on the SAAMI specs and have more to do with cylinder or mag length. Seating a bullet 20 thousandths of an inch deeper is not going to make a huge pressure difference. Now if you were to seat past the first driving band you would want to be careful. If you want Cowboy action loads don't go full power WW 231 or HP38. Use something like Trail Boss or just back off a little on those faster powders.