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From #13 (Bullseye) to #28 (HP-38) on the burn chart...
The test today was exclusively the HP-38, quite a bit slower than the Bullseye...but, not quite slow enough evidently...The bottom row is .1'th off the max. +P load, something I keep noticing with this dang .38...it sure is a wimpy load!
No chrono work today and these casts are lead @ 5 BHN about 50 hours after smelting, no increase there yet....it was flashing material, no Sn added. Easy casting, out of 80 casts I had 2 rejects for incomplete bases, that was my fault.
The second pic. is the little bit I used to chamfer the HP's noses...it removes 1 1/2 grains of Pb.
Attachment 179383Attachment 179384
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...Next, went to no. 35 on the burn chart...Herco...nawp, hmmm?
From...(Casting with the Lyman 358-439 HP and LOW Velocity) this picture of (Best results thus far...)results with the Bullseye @ 4.0 grains of a 4.2 max. load (prior to +P rated loads that extend to 4.5 grains) but I don't want +P ammo.
Attachment 179772...the odd thing here is this load is with lead that cast at 7.4 BHN on cast day and rose to 8.2 in 48 hours.
A Reloaders Guide (free handout), from 2004 Alliant Powders claims that I can use up to 4.5 grains of Herco behind a 158 grain SWC lead cast and get 930 FPS at 15.8 KPSI...well, heres 4.3 grains behind these 155 grain SWC-HP's...
Attachment 179771...5 BHN lead here also.
One of the worst results yet...I wish I knew more about why people claim slower powders work better in short barrels....frankly, I can't see the proof.
***Thus far...the best results have been the fastest powder and that was Bullseye, 4.0 grains, harder lead but shallow HP pin....can't argue with the results huh?
I'm going back to the Bullseye and going next with the chamfered ends like these and the 'initiator tips' as R5R calls them.
Stay tuned....
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Bullseye @ 4.0 grains, shallow pin, #5BHN and initiator tips...165 grain SWC-HP's
Attachment 179786
Ok...starting over again but using the initiator tips as R5R labeled them. No taper or chamfer on the front hole...I'll let these sit until tomorrow and run them down the pipe through a couple thick layers of old beach towel...
I filled the hole to the bottom with a toothpick. This stuff is rubbery and will firm up but it stretches so it ought be adequate, we'll see?
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Yippee!...Almost there...always one in the crowd won't go along!
Attachment 179840
Dang near there! You notice the one on the left still has some filler in the nose...why didn't it open, I dunnoh?
I think I'm right at the critical point where they will work at 5 BHN and 4.0 grains of a 4.2 Max. grains of Bullseye...but...I have to admit that the 'initiator tip' has to be the 'big game changer' today. I think from now on the 'IT' will be standard fare though.
Next...perhaps the 4.2 grains of Bullseye...or maybe try using small magnum primers for a hotter ignition?
These were the shallow pin version for the .38 Special...I wonder if they will open up the deep pin version for the .357 Mag?
Two of these lost weight, one lost .1'th and .3'ths ...not much at all I think.
One new fact...the cylinder gap to barrel is .006"...not too bad I suppose.
Okay...I'm open for comments/suggestions...whatcha got?
PS...I'm not going to worry about speed until I can get 100% cooperation...then I'll load that particular recipe and run it across the chrony and another batch for a 30' target group test.