Load data/info needed for Montana Gold 158gr in 38 Special

[techiej]

Chrono (10 shot strings) results for my Rossi (24") with the chrono set @ 10' from the muzzle:

First, I chrono'd the closest factory ammo that I could find which was Remington 158gr +P JHP; it was not crimped and was in nickel plated cases. Average velocity was 1,346 FPS.

Next, I chrono'd some of my loads all of which were with a roll crimp and the VV N340 powder as follows:
Powder Charge FPS
------------------- ----------
5.1 887
5.3 973
5.4 1,013
5.5 1,035
5.6 1,071

Accuracy was good with all of the loads (checked @ 25 & 50 yrds). What surprised me was that
the velocity was significantly less than I would have expected based upon the data from VV (which was for a 6 1/2" barrel) or any of the other sources I consulted.

When I get my revolver back (another couple of weeks) I'll chrono the same loads and post.

Also, I'm getting in some AA No.5 and will be performing load testing with that as well.

Any and all feedback would be appreciated

[techiej]

So, I chron'd one of my VV N340 loads (5.4) in the revolver and it came in @ 704 fps.

I then chron'd a series of AA NO. 5 loads in both the 24" lever and the 6" revolver with the following results (lowest and highest loads tested are the only ones I'm showing):

Grains Revolver Lever
-------- ---------- -------
5.6 530 860
6.2 708 987

The loads with 6.2 of A#5 were also the most accurate in both guns.

The Accurate data shows a max load of 6.4 and I will run some add'l tests @ 6.3 & 6.4 in about a week.

Feedback, ideas, suggestions would be appreciated.