Two Shoots

With the 2.6 and 2.7 grain charges, recoil was fairly light as you might imagine based on the velocity. And no surprise recoil increased as the powder charge increased. PP is a fine dense powder. Even with the 3.3 grain charges, there's plenty of empty space in there. I've been using Alliant Sport Pistol for the last few years and PP seems to be similar in size. However it takes 3.4 grains of Sport Pistol to yield the same performance as 2.6 grains of PP.

Good to know SCJ, thanks much!

Happy Independence Day Pards! With the reports of impending powder shortages and my favorite powder has been unavailable for quite some time, I decided to do a little testing on with Hodgdon's Perfect Pattern in 38 special loads. Seems like Perfect Pattern is readily available at this time so I gave it a shot.....literally. FYI I’m not a lawyer and I don’t play one on TV so the following info is provided for entertainment purposes only. Furthermore, Hodgdon does not publish data for cartridge loading with Perfect Pattern so use your own judgement. These results were taken using 38 special 4.625 barrel length pistols and 20” 1873 rifle. The weather was in the 80’s & 90’s with humidity. (It’s Kansas in the summertime!) El-Nino was weakening but a La-Nina may be forming. All loading done on Dillon 750 using their powder measure with the small powder bar and a Lee Factory Crimp Die with a firm roll crimp applied. Primers were Federal #100 Small Pistol & brass was Starline. Pistol shots: 38 Spl 105 grain High Tech coated truncated cone from Missouri Bullet, OAL = 1.45” P.P. Number Average Standard Pwr Pwr Avg Pwr Grns of shots Velocity Deviation Fact High Fact Low Factor 3.3 9 858 6 91 89 90 3 15 795 20 87 78 83 2.9 13 781 10 83 80 82 2.7 18 726 20 78 71 76 2.6 14 686 21 75 67 72 Rifle Shots: 38 Spl 125 grain Bear Creek RNFP moly coated, no crimp groove. OAL = 1.485” P.P Number Average Standard Pwr Pwr Avg Pwr Grns of shots Velocity Deviation Fact High Fact Low Factor 2.9 11 941 13 119 115 117 2.7 13 882 24 113 104 110 2.6 16 875 28 116 102 109 In all tests, casings came out relatively clean and I did not notice much if any unburnt powder regardless of powder charge.

Barrel length?

Loading 38 special on a Dillon 750, with clean primer pockets, it takes full, almost extreme handle pressure to seat fully. Have tried various brass mfrs. with same results. They do go bang ok, but I agree with a previous poster, not worth the aggravation. Once I use up my stock, won't buy them again unless no other option. Too bad because their packaging is much more compact and handy than Federal!