15 April 2008, 22:52
trw1967Uberti Schofield .38 Special Getting Squib Loads
I have a Uberti Schofield revolver in .38 special, 7" barrel. I am reloading 158 gr Rem JSP bullets and 4.2 gr Unique powder, with a CCI Small Pistol primeer and a light taper crimp. I am having terrible problems with squib loads and sticking bullets. I use a Lee Auto Disk to throw the charges, and I have used Unique powder from 2 different lots, and got the same result, which eliminated the possiblity that my powder had gone bad . My next step is to weigh each charge to determine that it's not the Disk Measure. I also suspect that 4.2 grains of unique may not be producing enough pressure for the Rem JSP bullet. I am also considering using a different powder.
15 April 2008, 23:15
hivelositydouble check your powder weight.
i have shot that load in a S&W model 14 6"
barrel with out any problems.
pull the bullets and check the weight of the powder to see if you are actually getting 4.2grains.
Dave
16 April 2008, 03:50
Paul Braskytrw1967, Dave has it right: You need to weigh your charges of Unique. Btw, I've found that neither of my fixed cavity powder measures (Lyman pistol powder measure & Lee Auto Disk) throws the charges shown on either manufacturer's data sheet. What you have to do is experiment with disks of greater (sometimes lesser) capacity than the one you're presently using: Throw 5 groups of 10 charges/drops for that disk and average the results. Hope this helps!
16 April 2008, 05:04
Hunt-duckstrw1967
I can't believe you did not weight the charges to start with just hoping that a disk bushing or a powder measure throws what it's says is asking for trouble.
16 April 2008, 05:27
fredj338I'll bet you Lee measure is off by 1/2gr. YOU MUST WEIGH your volumn charge to verify. DO NOT trust the little chart that comes w/ it. JMO, you should also not use jacketed bullets @ such low vel. They offer up more friction & need to be run @ higher vel. Your Schofield is probably setup w/ deep cut rifling, perfect for a lead bullet.