wgg
.30 Stingray
Posts: 150
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Post by wgg on Mar 22, 2020 13:13:38 GMT -5
I recently traded for a S&W 15 and bought a S&W 10-8. I was impressed with how well both shot. I wanted to test a cast hp in 38 Special +p . I cast with my MP 360 Hammer mold using the Penta and HP pins. I used Sixshot's recipe 70/30 ww to soft lead. I powder coated and gas checked the bullets. I was impressed with the HP cavity. The finished bullet weighed 159 grains. I used 5.5 grains of Longshot using Hodgdon load data for a 158 Hornady XTP. I used gallon jugs of water to check the bullet . Impact at 15 feet was impressive, I recovered the base and 3 petals of lead. The base was recovered in the 3rd jug, the 4th was ruptured. I weighed the recovered pieces at 159 grains, the base weighed 100 grains. The recoil felt less than a WW 125 +p load I shot the other day. Next I want to try the penta hp. This bullet ought to a devastating varmint / vermin bullet loaded in a 357.
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Post by wheelguns on Mar 22, 2020 13:30:59 GMT -5
I cast the same bullet for 357 and 38. I usually cast them at 60/40 for 38spl, and put them over 4.0gns of bullseye. I also powder coat them.
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Post by bradshaw on Mar 22, 2020 14:37:56 GMT -5
I recently traded for a S&W 15 and bought a S&W 10-8. I was impressed with how well both shot. I wanted to test a cast hp in 38 Special +p . I cast with my MP 360 Hammer mold using the Penta and HP pins. I used Sixshot's recipe 70/30 ww to soft lead. I powder coated and gas checked the bullets. I was impressed with the HP cavity. The finished bullet weighed 159 grains. I used 5.5 grains of Longshot using Hodgdon load data for a 158 Hornady XTP. I used gallon jugs of water to check the bullet . Impact at 15 feet was impressive, I recovered the base and 3 petals of lead. The base was recovered in the 3rd jug, the 4th was ruptured. I weighed the recovered pieces at 159 grains, the base weighed 100 grains. The recoil felt less than a WW 125 +p load I shot the other day. Next I want to try the penta hp. This bullet ought to a devastating varmint / vermin bullet loaded in a 357. ***** Shooting many water-filled jugs lately. Sent sacks filled with shot & flattened plastics jugs to recycling. Started out with 1-gallon milk jugs which measure 6x6x8” high. The 6-inch depth didn’t hold up, as some measure 5-1/2" x 5-1/2”. Fruitjuice jugs measure 3-3/4; 4-1/4; 4-1/2; 5-inch depth, etc. Thus, I measure each jug. Data using total penetration should compare more evenly, such as Load X = 14” penetration. with 7 skins penetrated. Etcetera. I do not suggest direct correlation to performance in meat. However, having shot some of the jugged bullets into meat, and comparing results, I consider the Water Jug Caper a a useful tool in evaluating handgun bullets. Water jug process1) Line up water-filled jugs. 2) Measure and write depth of each jug: #1, 2, 3, etc. 3) Fire shot. 4) Record result. Example: Jug #1 blow up; #2 split; stop in #4. 5) Add jug measurements to record penetration. 6) Note whether bullet expands or not. 7) Measure and record expansion: widest; narrowest. 8) Save bullet with data. 9) Photos. Solids which do not expand ruin a lot of jugs in a hurry. Penetration alone is no warranty of performance on game. David Bradshaw
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Post by boolitdesigner on Mar 22, 2020 17:23:56 GMT -5
Penetration alone is no warranty of performance on game. David Bradshaw Good to see others know this. There are several ways to increase performance of minimal power cartridges that do better than using a heavy blunt bullet. Sadly, most people want the heaviest blunt bullet they can get in the gun.
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wgg
.30 Stingray
Posts: 150
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Post by wgg on Mar 22, 2020 18:21:15 GMT -5
I am interested in performance on game no doubt. I am also interested in the load for self defense as well. I was in our local lgs last week and as the week progressed the ammunition supply depleted. First 5.56 and 9mm, then the other rounds disappeared. The reloading supplies for the most part left alone. I will check tomorrow and may pick up some things. It is comforting to me that I don't have to depend on others for my ammunition.
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Post by sixshot on Mar 22, 2020 21:06:54 GMT -5
Had 3 water jugs with me yesterday but no chronograph, too windy! Using my Ruger 1911 45 with 205 gr powder coated HP's over 5 grs of Unique. Probably just a tick over 800 fps. Pretty impressive but the bullet angled out of the third jug so I didn't recover it & no more water jugs, bummer! Holster is one of Simply Rugged's Pancake rigs. Dick
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wgg
.30 Stingray
Posts: 150
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Post by wgg on Mar 22, 2020 21:47:43 GMT -5
Nice looking outfit. I like the stainless frame and black slide.
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Post by Ken O'Neill on Mar 23, 2020 6:23:52 GMT -5
Dick: You left the little blue doohickey sticker on the gun? For like 4-5 years? Dontcha ever clean a gun? Best wishes, Ken
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Post by 2 Dogs on Mar 23, 2020 8:46:48 GMT -5
I recently traded for a S&W 15 and bought a S&W 10-8. I was impressed with how well both shot. I wanted to test a cast hp in 38 Special +p . I cast with my MP 360 Hammer mold using the Penta and HP pins. I used Sixshot's recipe 70/30 ww to soft lead. I powder coated and gas checked the bullets. I was impressed with the HP cavity. The finished bullet weighed 159 grains. I used 5.5 grains of Longshot using Hodgdon load data for a 158 Hornady XTP. I used gallon jugs of water to check the bullet . Impact at 15 feet was impressive, I recovered the base and 3 petals of lead. The base was recovered in the 3rd jug, the 4th was ruptured. I weighed the recovered pieces at 159 grains, the base weighed 100 grains. The recoil felt less than a WW 125 +p load I shot the other day. Next I want to try the penta hp. This bullet ought to a devastating varmint / vermin bullet loaded in a 357. Great post Glenn. I am currently updating my .357 sixguns with new hand loads. My 38’s will be next. Stay safe my friend.
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wgg
.30 Stingray
Posts: 150
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Post by wgg on Mar 23, 2020 9:01:37 GMT -5
Thank you Fermin, I am curious as to what can be done with a K frame 38. I am not trying to turn it into a 357 as I have those. I just recently bought a thousand Star-line 38 Special +p brass so I ought to be set for a while.
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Post by sixshot on Mar 23, 2020 12:25:41 GMT -5
Ken old buddy, only about the third time it's been out of the house. So it's still new. But Callsshot is coming tomorrow & I might do the water jug test again tomorrow with better results. I want to catch one of these HP's.
Dick
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dhd
.327 Meteor
Posts: 941
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Post by dhd on Mar 23, 2020 13:09:54 GMT -5
What I like about that MP Hammer bullet is it's accuracy. In my small sample of test subjects (2 FA83's and a RBH), it tends to land in small groups. My mold is a GC so I have pushed them hard. Powder coat only here. It's arguable whether the GC matters at 1500 - 1600 fps when using PC, but it's what I bought and they sure shoot great. I'm using an alloy of 2 parts WW and 1 part soft.
All of y'alls fun playing with water jugs makes me want to try it. I'd like to know how these bullets expand just for the heck of it.
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wgg
.30 Stingray
Posts: 150
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Post by wgg on Mar 23, 2020 14:25:59 GMT -5
I just received 2 boxes of Underwood 38 Special +P , loaded with 158 LSWC HP gas check bullet. The load is rated at 1160 fps. The warning label reads - Product may contain lead which may be harmful to your health, that is exactly what I am looking for.
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Post by bradshaw on Mar 23, 2020 15:32:14 GMT -5
Dick.... bring more jugs. Bullets eat em like peanuts. Round nose, both jacketed and lead, are much more likely to veer than a hollow point or bullet with a flat point. Lost Lost a couple in the past few days, taking a detour out the side or corner of a water jug. If your load blows up the first jug, or jugs #1 & 2, that’s a sure sign of expansion in the subsonic zone. Yes, try again. David Bradshaw
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Post by sixshot on Mar 23, 2020 19:44:36 GMT -5
David, those RN HP's blew pretty good, got a real good rooster tail out of that first water jug & quite a bit out of the second but I was squatted down in kind of an uncomfortable position when I shot & I rushed it a bit. Next time I'll take a bit more time. Bad thing is I just threw away 17 empty milk jugs because my wife was tired of having them in the garage so now I'm out of targets for a while.
Dick
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