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Posted: 2/15/2010 1:11:06 PM EDT
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Anybody had any luck loading 158 gr LSWC bullets for a Ruger LCR? I tried my standard .38 special load of 3.4 gr Titegroup and the 50' group was in the 7" range. I can't help but think the little revolver is capable of better. I was also having an issue with it printing to the left about 4", I've heard that a slightly hotter load will often times alleviate the left shooting tendency of these LCR snubbies so I'm thinking about upping it to +P levels and trying again.
What do you guys like for loads in a .38+P snubbie with a 158 LSWC bullet? |
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4.7 grains of Hodgdon Universal behind a Speer swaged lead SWC-HP is a borderline +P load that has worked well for me in the accuracy department and could be used as a defense load if needed. It chronos at 870 fps from a 4" S&W Model 10 and shoots to point-of-aim with those fixed sights. Oregon Trail hard cast 158 SWCs with the same charge weren't nearly as accurate and shot quite high.
Speer data shows a start load of 4.6 grains and a max of 5.0 grains for .38 Special +P, so my choice is on the lower +P end of the scale. I like those soft swaged bullets at low .38 Special velocities because they obturate well with low pressure - sealing the bore and produce less leading. |
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I see that 3.4 Gr Titegroup is about midrange for that powder/bullet in .38 Spl…
If no signs of pressure, I would go UP! My thinking is that the higher velocity may stabilize that bullet weight and produce better accuracy. The purpose of the loading would be helpful too. Have you tried any other loadings that yield good results? |
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Quoted:
I see that 3.4 Gr Titegroup is about midrange for that powder/bullet in .38 Spl… If no signs of pressure, I would go UP! My thinking is that the higher velocity may stabilize that bullet weight and produce better accuracy. The purpose of the loading would be helpful too. Have you tried any other loadings that yield good results? That's the only load I've tried so far, I just got the LCR and that's the sweet load for my other .38's so I tried it first. This is just a side arm when rabbit hunting with hounds in case I have issues with a rabid animal or a coyote. |
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