I used 4.6grs of Winchester 231 which should be 861fps and 4.2grs of titegroup which should be 919fps according to their data.
With 231 I got 726fps out of my S&W 19 with a 4” barrel. When I did 4.3grs I got 622fps the book showed 809fps
Titegroup gave me 740fps with the same gun
I think I did try some without any crimp other than what you get with the seating die and it didn’t change anything.
My 147 gr data
147gr G2 or hst over 5.3gr win231
910fps
270ft lbs
On the ragged edge of the world I'll roam,
And the home of the wolf shall be my home - Robert Service
Hodgdons pressure barrel is 7.7 inches and is not identified as being vented. So their barrel is almost twice as long as yours and doesn't have a barrel/cylinder gap.
Well that makes more sense. I never did see what the barrel length was. Thank you sir.
I glad I asked. I was just worried that I was doing something off, I have never gotten anywhere close to the “max” charge before on a handgun.
Hodgdon data is developed from a 7.7” barrel, which I’d bet is not vented.
It’s a Smith and Wesson model 19-9 with a 4 1/4” barrel. I also tried the load in my old 586 no dash with a 4” barrel. I’m sure it’s because of their test barrel length. I’m going to try and bump up my charge weight and see what I can get.
My 147 gr data
147gr G2 or hst over 5.3gr win231
910fps
270ft lbs
What is your OAL? I just purchased 4k RDS of 147. 2k plated and 2k polymer coated (Blue Bullets). I haven’t loaded .38 in a long time but getting back into it and will be shooting an ICORE state match this summer—so I’ll need to be sure to make PF. THX