I know it's a NONO, but I done it anyway

foggy1111 · Apr 24, 2010

If any doubt...I think its best to do as just you did....dis-assemble em.

But, I wonder what the charge (grains) and the bullet weight you had loaded was?

I would like to see what my sources say regarding the loads....and try to determine the pressure you might have generated from the load in question.

czechsonofagun · Apr 26, 2010

I just got back from the range. I shot .38 loaded from 4.8 to 7.0 grains of Unique and there were no signs of high pressure, shell rupture etc. The kick was ok, accuracy reasonable, speed - I don't know, don't have chrono yet.

That does not mean I am saying i was right - it was an interesting experiment and next time I will load my .38 with the right amount to avoid confusion and mainly because the magnum revolver should shoot magnum sized ammo. It is better for the cylinder.

Also here is an interesting thread to read: Accurate reloading

I like the part of cops doing the same thing to have the power when they were not able to use the .357 ammo.

RobertN · Apr 26, 2010

How are you judging pressures?

The best I have seen is the Ken Waters method. But, that uses factory ammom, mic'ing cases before and after shooting, and seeing the expansion.

Real Guns
Measuring Reloading Pressure

czechsonofagun said:
I just got back from the range. I shot .38 loaded from 4.8 to 7.0 grains of Unique and there were no signs of high pressure, shell rupture etc. The kick was ok, accuracy reasonable, speed - I don't know, don't have chrono yet.

Car Doc · Apr 27, 2010

I look at primers, if they are very flat with no radius at the edge its probably too much pressure and if the primer has formed a volcano shape around the firing pin its waaay to much pressure I always look at that.

Like I said chrono if possible, short of factory test equipment we cant tell actual pressure accurately we can use common sense though.

Steve

CurlyDave · Apr 28, 2010

I agree with "reading" the primers, but part of that is your gun.

It is always good to look at primers from several different brands of factory cartridges shot in your gun and compare them to each other and to your reloads.

I have a rifle with a very rough bolt face in a semi-rare caliber. For years I thought that primer marks caused by the bolt face were signs of too high a pressure until I finally sprang for a box of factory cartridges and saw exactly the same thing.