PPU 38SPL 158gr LSWC, Lemons to Lemonade - 02/20/24
A while back I bought a 500qty of this ammo online. I wanted it for practice/carry in the Ruger LCRx.
On the first range test, I fired 10 rounds. Accuracy started going bad after the first 5.
After the second cylinder of 5, I peeked down the bore and couldn't see any sign of lands or grooves. Just a total leaded up mess.
In disappointment, I put the ammo aside and didn't touch it for several months until now. The 'good idea fairy' came to visit me, and so I gave it a try. I pulled a few of the bullets from this ammo, and replaced them with a 148gr poly-coated wadcutter from Missouri Bullet Company. It turns out to be good ammo.
The swap was pretty easy:
- pull the 158gr LSWC, leaving the powder in the case
- flare the case
- seat/crimp the 148gr WC
The powder charge was 4.0gr of a fine spherical powder that looks kind of smushed a little.
The 158gr LSWC only measures .355" diameter, so I figure that was why it leaded so badly and quickly. The MBS 148gr WC measures about .3585".
10 yards with the 148gr WC, SA and DA. 1 3/8" SA, 3 3/8" DA. Not bad.
velocity between 745 and 777 fps for 5 over the chrono.
On the first range test, I fired 10 rounds. Accuracy started going bad after the first 5.
After the second cylinder of 5, I peeked down the bore and couldn't see any sign of lands or grooves. Just a total leaded up mess.
In disappointment, I put the ammo aside and didn't touch it for several months until now. The 'good idea fairy' came to visit me, and so I gave it a try. I pulled a few of the bullets from this ammo, and replaced them with a 148gr poly-coated wadcutter from Missouri Bullet Company. It turns out to be good ammo.
The swap was pretty easy:
- pull the 158gr LSWC, leaving the powder in the case
- flare the case
- seat/crimp the 148gr WC
The powder charge was 4.0gr of a fine spherical powder that looks kind of smushed a little.
The 158gr LSWC only measures .355" diameter, so I figure that was why it leaded so badly and quickly. The MBS 148gr WC measures about .3585".
10 yards with the 148gr WC, SA and DA. 1 3/8" SA, 3 3/8" DA. Not bad.
velocity between 745 and 777 fps for 5 over the chrono.