Question on 38 Special reloads

[Depick]

I shot about 25 rounds of 38 special that I loaded myself. I found that each fired shell had something left over in the shell. Pictured below on the mag




These rounds were made up of Federal brass loaded with 4.5 grains of HP-38 with a 125 gr bullet. I shot them through a S&W 637-2. Very short barrel. I saw no split casings, bulging primers or other issues. The rounds were pretty “spicy” but that may be due to short barrel.

Any input is appreciated.

 

[Tisto]

What is it ? Unburnt powder ? Lead from the bullets ?

 

[Depick]

What is it ? Unburnt powder ? Lead from the bullets ?

I was speculating unburnt powder or left over tumbling media that I missed. The bullets were TMJ so I don’t think it was lead.

 

[Tisto]

I wouldn't worry about a tiny bit of unburnt powder, especially from a short barreled revolver. The chamber is only as long as the case itself. The gap at the end of the cylinder allows expanding gasses to escape, and causes an inefficient burn. Try a faster powder.

 

[Getzville 068]

I agree with unburnt powder. Be sure you are crimping the bullets tightly.
4.5 grains of 231 and a 125 grain bullet IS a fairly hot load in a 2" lightweight revolver.

 

[Depick]

I agree with unburnt powder. Be sure you are crimping the bullets tightly.
4.5 grains of 231 and a 125 grain bullet IS a fairly hot load in a 2" lightweight revolver.

Appreciate it! I will be dialing things back for the next batch.

 

[FP1201]

Lots of those Old School Powders are "dirty" with soot and unburned powder flakes being completely normal and acceptable.
Accuracy should be of more concern than how "hot" they are (staying within published limits of course)
Jacketed Bullets induce more pressure and resistance which requires more powder to achieve desired velocities.
Lead Bullets do not need as much powder.
The Golden age of Revolvers is over, but there are literally tons of components and information from decades of punching paper with lead wad-cutters pushing 800fps. Just because the .38 Special has waned in popularity does not mean it's ineffective or inaccurate...Cowboy Action has made flinging light weight lead bullets at sub-sonic velocities fun again.
I recommend two kinds of Ammunition for any Handgun you depend on: Light weight "Target" for Play, and Full House Factory to "make 'em pay".

FWIW: I had a S&W .44 Special Revolver that wouldn't shoot Factory loads worth a shit, I started rolling my own at the bottom end of .44 Magnum (Stainless N Frame so it would easily take the pressure, don't try this with your Charter Arms Bulldog or Colt SAA) and it woke right up! YMMV.
I inherited hundreds of rounds of assorted .38 Specials the bulk of which are cast in the 125~158 grain weight: Not knowing their bona fidies, I've been blasting them out of a Beater K-Frame Smith I did some work to...notch rear, short blade front, and after a hundred or so out of it, I've found it to be quite accurate and reliable, and if it suffers catastrophic failure, well I'll be sad, but it easy to get over a $200.revolver than one double that.

 

[Hochulsucks1234]

Most of my non-magnum revolver loads (45 colt, 38 spl, 44-40) all leave a little residue and black soot on the cases. I see it almost exclusively with lead and copper plated bullets. I only crimp them lightly, so I have accepted that it is the problem, but not much of a concern to me. Loading jacketed bullets I can run more powder and crimp tighter. The black on the cases sucks to clean, but like I said, is what it is.

 

[repete]

I've seen some little flakes like that, it's almost like it's some kind of filler in the powder, I don't remember what powder or load but I used to shoot a LOT of .38 and .357 so good chance it was one or both. Never seemed to hurt anything.