Load for Procast 97 grain hollow-backed bullet for 38spl

[Tall John]

Capt. Baylor’s article in the chronicle about these 97 grain hollow based bullets intrigued me enough to order some as i want to learn how to shoot in the gunfighter class at some point.  Figured a lighter bullet might be worth trying.

 I usually shoot 125grn or 147grn  bullets over 3.2grn of TiteGroup at 1.47-1.150 OAL.

 

Capt’s tests were with 3.6grn of Shooters world Cleanshot.  I’ve not used cleanshot nor have I loaded really lightweight bullets. 

 

 The article references that 2.0grns reach the “60 Power Factor”but the reference seemed to be somewhat anectdotal.  Mike at Procast mentioned 2.3 grains but wasn’t totally sure.

 

Hogdon recommends 3.0-3.6grn for a 90gr LRNFP Bullet.

 

So wondering if 3.2gr of TiteGroup would be too hot as a starting point?

[Wild Eagle]

3.0 to 3.2 grains of Titegroup should make a fine cowboy load with these bullets.  I load 105 grain bullets with 3.3.  I could probably go to 3.2 or maybe even 3.1, but I like a little recoil.  

 

I load a lot of Clean Shot and for the 105 grain bullets I use 3.5 grains, so the 3.6 that Captain Baylor used with the 90's would be almost exactly like shooting my 105's.  

 

 

Edited February 6 by Wild Eagle
add info

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

Actually, it's real simple.  If you're loading smokeless with TightGroup, 3.2Gr is a great starting point. Won't even be near too hot.  Just crimp the bullet in the crimp groove and leave the calipers in the drawer.

 

Conversely, if your loading for some smoke, 11Gr of 3F APP will run just fine.  Same same, just crimp firmly into the crimp groove and go.

 

Both those loadings should perform well in anything your shooting.  

[ORNERY OAF]

Bout 150 foot pounds of energy.....

[Tall John]

On 2/6/2025 at 3:33 PM, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

Actually, it's real simple.  If you're loading smokeless with TightGroup, 3.2Gr is a great starting point. Won't even be near too hot.  Just crimp the bullet in the crimp groove and leave the calipers in the drawer.

 

Conversely, if your loading for some smoke, 11Gr of 3F APP will run just fine.  Same same, just crimp firmly into the crimp groove and go.

 

Both those loadings should perform well in anything your shooting.  

Thank you!!  These load up really nicely.  3.2grns of TiteGroup worked out very well.  I’m not the best shooter but I managed to get them in a 4” circle at 20’ with much less noticeable recoil  than the sale load with 125grn bullets.  We’ll have to see how they work with KD’s

Edited February 8 by Tall John

[bobbyblackbear]

Hi 

Anymore loading info on these bullets.

I bought some but have not got around to loading yet.

Thanks 

Bob

[Sam Sackett]

I just loaded up a bunch with 3.0 Bullseye. Seemed to go bang and clang pretty well. Could bump that up to 3.2 in colder weather. 
 

Sam Sackett 

[Tall John]

I saw on Procast’s FB page where a guy loaded them with 2.8grns of TiteGroup and they chrono’d around 960fps.  I loaded up a bunch last weekend with 2.9grns with good success, little or no recoil and am ready to try shooting duelist.

[bobbyblackbear]

Hello.

OK, so I’m loading some of these bullets and I ran into a little problem I think.

My overall length winds up being 1.4195 to 1.4620 has anyone else run into this issue?

Case lengths are all the same length.

Not sure if maybe my seating plug isn’t fitting this bullet or maybe variation in the bullet meplat.

Any ideas?

Thanks Bob

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

29 minutes ago, Tall John said:

I saw on Procast’s FB page where a guy loaded them with 2.8grns of TiteGroup and they chrono’d around 960fps.  I loaded up a bunch last weekend with 2.9grns with good success, little or no recoil and am ready to try shooting duelist.

Maybe no recoil but the light bullet gives high velocities. Be careful, you are at the upper limit for SASS.