The powder charges used for .38 are forgiving. The plated bullets feed nicely through my bullet feeder. WST is a good powder for a very specialized load. They are low because of swaged bullets. The 4.0 grain load is relatively mild recoil and was accurate. .38 Special +P (Alliant Reloaders Guide) Warning! I did start out fawning over all of the tactical gear, but once I had that covered my tastes matured I think to love the wood and steel guns. Never ransom rested it, but held 10 ring off sandbags. I favor the appearance of the C/T load and find it slightly easier to grab and orient in the loading process. I think the 158 lrn is more accurate then the swc but that's just me. I started loading .38s with a Lyman nut cracker and a home made measure for Bullseye over 65 years ago. However recoil will be the limiting factor especially for the short line. 6.) Of course, these will be used in a revolver. Rules say (e) Ammunition- Any safe .38 caliber ammunition using the 158 grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter bullet only. 158 gr. Use data for weight. A little shopping around might do better, as would casting the lead bullets. Powders include IMR, Hodgdon, Alliant, Vihtavuori, Winchester, Accurate I havent shot too many full house Casull loads, but I get a huge grin when shooting my reduced loads of 7.5grs of Trail Boss under a Cast Performance 360gr WLFN. At one time or another, I also owned and shot a M38 Bodyguard (nka the 638), a M37 Chiefs Special (now the 637), a M60 (which is a tad heavier but no more user-friendly), and a couple of others. I use CCI Snake shot for two and Buffalo Bore short Barrel 130 gr. Depending on the drill, 200-grain .45s let shooter push faster or use available time to shoot better, with significantly less recoil than hardball. Clays, Universal, HP38, HS6 and H4895 are products of Hodgdon Powders. The 125 Hornady XTP, a jacketed hollow point bullet that can easily handle 1500 fps velocities. As a result, Ive been able to spend far more time practicing with it rather than fussing with it. hard cast LSWC's as a target load. for 38 special Powder coating. 7.) A GI surplus 1911 that puts most loads into dinner-plate sized groups cut 3.8 inches with the classic recipewhich is probably the only time Ive gotten excited about an almost four-inch group! [.38 Special] is a very versatile and useful round. accuracy. My point being is I used the resources I have, looked elsewhere (The High Road, The Firing Line), and wanted to try here. It seems to burn completely in the .38 and is not as critical as the faster powders like Bullseye. You are spot on about Trail Boss, that stuff is magical with cast reloads. L6: 1.550 inch = 39.37 mm Barrel Length : 2.0 inch = 50.8 mm Powder : Hodgdon HP38 Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge, incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge. But you guys need to practice more. YOU WOULD BE WASTING YOUR TIME TRIMMING THE BRASS. I fired 3 Remington 125 SJHP 357s from a 340 and thought i had nerve damage in my hand. The other .38 Special is a 4 Colt Diamondback. Installed some wood boot grips, modified them with grooves at the bottom of each side panel, similar to those on Pach. Two years into my second century a Colt MK IV Series 80 LTWT Commander 45 ACP still delivers the big medicine, but I have become enthralled with a new wheel gun- a Charter Arms Professional 32 H&R Magnum. IF YOU ARE USING SWAGED 158GR BULLETS 3.1 WILL WORK, IF USING HARD CAST 3.3 IS NEEDED. I load a hard cast 125gn for my 38 special all the time. Thank you. Many of these men had no real experience with the handgun, and we had but a few weeks to get them up to very high standards that most shooters will never reach. The 919 case is tapered and therefore wider at the base than the .38 special is. It was introduced in 1902 by Smith & Wesson, and has since become a worldwide cartridge. In a 1909 vintage Smith & Wesson target .38, the 2.7-grain load cut a nearly one-inch cluster, showing that classics go well together. Over 20,000 rounds, Ive found that theres rarely a wrong way to do .38 SPL. The design of this modern revolver makes the SW guns seem archaic. In a day you can make over 100,000 bullets. ES 56 SD 24 PMC Eldorado Starfire +P 125 gr. And, oh yeah. Power Pistol won't work for me. Display as a link instead, of Bullseye, 148 gr lead DEWC and Federal 100 primers. That one Ill keep. My usual 38 Spl load is a 125 gr plated bullet over 5 grains of bullseye. Heck, 38s in a J frame arent fun- theres no way a 327 Mag isnt worse. And if youre doing that [shooting 158 grain bullets at 1200 fps muzzle velocity] with a snub.let me know I wanna watch you shoot em. A light target load, which tends to be very accurate, is about 3.1 grains, with a 158 grain bullet. 9 and others like 2400 that are generally used for magnums). I am aware of the plated bullet limitations on BE accuracy and am more interested in them for their "plinkability". I have loaded wadcutters for plinking , Double end 148 grain,, mixed brass over 2.7 gn WST or Bullseye. 38 Special 125 gr XTP American Gunner Item #90324 | 25/Box The American Gunner line of ammunition is a collection of tried-and-true, versatile loads that are popular with shooters for their target shooting, hunting or self-defense needs. (Inceptor) Diameter: 0.357" Powder: CFE Pistol (Hodgdon) Primer: WIN WSP Case: WIN Trim Length: 1.145" C.O.L. I use 2.8-3.0 grains of Bullseye or AA#2 with 158 gr. Oh, I practice with it. He loves this gun and keeps it in reach 24/7. CorBon Self Defense, 38 Special, 125 Grain, Jacketed Hollow Point, +P, 20 Round Box 38125 9mm 125 grain RN Lead Hard Cast Bullet. 2.7 gr. Winchester 231 is between Bullseye and Unique for the .38 special (see my personal load above). Just depends on what kinds of loads you plan to shoot. Recoil is mild enough that for many years it was the golden choice for the next introductory step for young or new shooters after rimfire. Notes: primer: CCI 500; case: Speer; NOTE: All loads are maximum. No matter where you look, the first mention in classic loads for the .38 Special is a 148-grain wadcutter over 2.7 grains of Bullseye. Ive been looking for a reason to get into reloading, and am particularly intrigued by the extremely long case life of .38 Special. 38 spl.s. Id pay at least a dollar to see it. Yeah no. 125 gr plated or 125 gr lead RN. The Internet Pedant As a young man, I came into a couple of cases of hand-me-down factory mid-range wadcutters. On my J frame S&W without the CT #305 Laser Grips, I swapped out to a Hoque set. In half a dozen different sixguns, it ranged from accurate to spectacular. Coming in 30 grains lighter and 80 fps slower than hardball, as well as being lead rather than jacketed, the 200/4.6 SWC is amazingly soft. I have some W231 that I use for my .38 super. The manufacturing process of swaged bullets requires relatively soft lead for two reasons. Easy to reload and it started my reloading experience. RN, 158 gr. it seems awful confusing, but with time you will be able to interpolate the published data into something that will give you good starting points to work up your loads. There is a difference in the manufacturing process of swaged bullets. . 2.9 of Clays is soft enough and dead accurate at 50yds. You will be, essentially, making 38 Short Colt. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up. I realized that I had hit a very special count for a very special cartridge: 20,000 rounds of .38 Special. My sq. Ive long since changed to a press, but that Lee Loader in its cardboard box is still in a storage box for obsolescent reloading gear. I'm planning to use Alliant's Unique powder to reload with 125 grain flat point jacketed bullets from Berry's and Winchester small pistol primers. Last time we took it to the range, I was trying to cycle the old +P ammo to load standard Lehigh ammo, I fired one shot, put the gun down and cursed while shaking my hand. Not sure how that translates to Bullseye powder. Pasted as rich text. Recoil was so nasty that I quit after five shots and saved the rest of the box for my 6 Model 19 .357. Allgoodhits Posts : 726 Join date : 2017-09-17 Location : Northern Virginia Like You can't rely on this because not all variables for YOUR cases and chamber and loading length, etc. I just bought some 158 gr SWC bullets that are pure lead. I have found that if you go down too low in charge you will have some ignition issues occasionally. Generally, I'm looking for a load that produces accuracy from approx. There really is a recently developed technology that prevents leading, while eliminating messy lubricants. Your link has been automatically embedded. .38 will take care of nearly any critter that needs dispatching feral cats, raccoon, armadillo, even wait for it. As I researched loads in the meantime, I kept seeing the same several popping up again and again in sources from as recent as yesterday to long out of print books from when air travel was a newfangled wonder. A longer case, with have a tighter crimp them a shorter one, what will lead to variations in pressure, and accuracy. I shoot a Glock 21, and had a great time shooting some poly coated 230 grain round noses today. Hence the lack of load data from just about anybody. 357 LCR in 3 inch variant. Recoil in that gun is less than most 45 ACP 1911s I have shot, and its still got around 500-600ft lbs of energy which is more than enough for feral hogs around the ranch back home. I found some data for 148 and 158 gr bullets but no published data on the 125s. Normal, mild .38 loads work fine with lead bullets. Were all familiar with the old adage, Never bring a knife to a gunfight. And while we should, The active shooter is a relatively new phenomenon in the grand scheme of things. 11/2/2022. I went from 2.7to 4.0 gr and nothing to speak of. To many shooters, .45 ACP means 230-grain hardball at 830 fps. The .38 with careful selection of components can be the cats as* for almost any shooter. Reloading for it came next and it has since become my favorite pistol cartridge. For any loads over 900-1,000 FPS, I suggest using a jacketed bullet. HAVE FUN JP. Three in particular proved as good as their longstanding reputations would indicate. I.E. Just dont shoot a rabbit with this load if you want to be able to eat any of it. Great article & thread!!! Also some WSF. My M60 came w/ factory banana grips- open back, long enough for pinkie rest but too small in girth behind the trigger guard. No. How can I tell if they are cast or swaged? Super cheap and easy to make and would likely be a very effective defense ammo against wildlife that might be a threat to me as the two balls will spread an inch or two from each other at close range. I used to reload .38s and .357s with 158 grain LSWC bullets over 4.3 and 6.5 grains of Unique. 4.2 gr. If you, I took the vow not to buy any more AR-15s a couple of years ago. I could knock out a pretty substantial chunk of my shooting needs with only these three loads. I can get away with using it as cast w/ alox. Hornady 115-grain HAPs over 4.4 grains of Bullseye alongside 25-yard timed-fire target. AA#2 is about the same burn rate, but burns much cleaner with less smoke in my guns. Main fame for the .38 is now the J frame size revolvers, as a CCW gun. Prefer to use the CT model 305 laser grips in lieu of S&W grips. Think a lot of people would find that a .44 special or .45 Colt, in a decent revolver, a viable alternate to a pistol. At belly button range, very nasty load. The big medicine was delivered by a 1911, but S&W K frames (favorites were Models 12 & 64) took care of everything else. 2, No. (Same issue found with a 12 oz. SASS# 85224. On 7/4/2018 at 11:57 AM, Bill Sahlberg said: There is nothing more accurate at PPC than 148 gr8 HBWC (lead) using 2.8 gr of 231 and a tight crimp with Starline 38 Special brass & a Federal Small pistol primer. Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. .38 special has got to be one of the best calibers there is . 10. Nickle cases look pretty but dont seem to take the number of resizings that plain brass cases do. I estimate that the price for each of the three loads runs between $7 and $8 per box of 50. https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t2221-distinguished-revolver-loads-that-don-t-suck. Bullets are .357 for jacketed and .358 for lead in diameter. 100 except where otherwise noted in "remarks" Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data. Below, are three loaded rounds. The .327 Fed Mag is IT! All the data says this should be an OK load , even "mid-range" for non +p. Main issue is that the .44 spl. Some use powders dispersed in liquids, some use electrostatic guns to spray dry powder on their bullets. I have experimented with both of Hornadys 200-grain semiwadcutters in this load: the more button-nosed SWC and the longer Combat/Target (C/T) version. Robert Frost. Both have fed 100% in a variety of pistols and have shot very well. No sh!t. A Forum dedicated to the sport of Bullseye shooting, Bullseye-L Forum::Ammunition Discussion, byPacFltShooter Wed Oct 28, 2020 9:00 am, byPacFltShooter Wed Oct 28, 2020 5:36 pm, byPacFltShooter Wed Oct 28, 2020 6:46 pm, byPacFltShooter Wed Oct 28, 2020 8:45 pm, byPacFltShooter Wed Nov 04, 2020 4:50 pm. While I do have a GP100 in .357 magnum, I dont like shooting .38 special ammo out of it, because cleaning powder residue out of the longer chambers is a real bitch. I thought the DR program was NRA, not CMP. I keep thinking about trading it for a Model 27 or, maybe, one of the new Pythons for extra weight. Do you folks think a start at 3.0 gr and work up from there with a 125 gr bullet would be a safe load. Forget about it. I have the shrouded hammer version, the 638, and have been wary of training much with it because of its aluminum frame. But not too tough. I have tested lots and lots of different bullet and found them all to be great. My Dad has advanced arthritis and could not longer easily work his auto loaders. As for the load ya the 158gr will probably take a little more, but your gun will tell you how much more.. The cold header swages a bullet in one or two strokes. Wadcutters are tailor made for lightweight snubbie practice, allowing shooters to enjoy shooting the pocket guns. It's given me good results in the 2, 3 and 4 inch barreled. As you move up in loads, you at least need the gas check on the bottom of the bullet to prevent gas melting the lead and fouling the barrel. Now, you have to go to a range or have a membership and pay to fill the backstop with lead. My more serious RN is the 358311 that drops @150 gr. Fast burning and consistent Economical and accurate Principal Purpose: Handgun loads Remarks: America's best known pistol powder. I'd rather shoot my .45 then. What I learned after 50 years of shooting and reloading 38spl cases some where around 100 thousands rounds. Dennis, I dont reload and Im only 72, but shooting the .38Spl in my 6 S&W 586 is a sublime experience. I can shoot this load at speeds I cant normally reach with .45. The .38 ammo is more common to find than the .44 ammo, so that is a big reason to reload the .44. There is almost no recoil and the student can increase power level when they feel ready using the same gun. I have two editions of it from different years that have that data. June 13, 2016 in 9mm/38 Caliber. Ideal load in a 2 J Frame .38. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Agree 100% since I reload and shoot it since years, lost count. Haven't tried it in the Colt Officer's Model Match yet. I never really set my sights, in a manner of speaking, on the .38 cartridge like I did other rounds. Many people tend to poo-poo .38 Special (standard pressure) for self-defense as being somehow underpowered. Dec 18, 2011. butt 686 shipped w/ Hogue monogrips, discarded immediately due to pronounced finger grooves. Powder Bul Weight C.O.L. The 158 gr cast plain base accuracy load was 4.0 gr 231 which gave 837 Fps and 15,900 psi. An early Les Baer .45 knotted a group of the lead SWCs into a tight 1.3-inch group, while an M&P .45 did 1.25 inches. Bullseye 3.2gr / 763fps --> 4.2gr / 892fps (max), Unique 4.3gr / 773fps --> 5.3gr / 944fps (max), 231 3.9gr / 733fps --> 4.8gr / 896pfs (max). Plated bullets are to be loaded as lead bullets. WITH THE SWAGED BULLETS REDDING SELLS A PROFILE CRIMP DIE. I'd imagine I'm not the first person to use this load, but I have found it is a very sooty/smokey load. This is my plink load for the kids. . My J frame S&Ws are all older models, and came with the small grips that are still on some models. And if youre doing that with a snub.let me know I wanna watch you shoot em. At 25 you can get away with a lighter load. Good thing I didn't go with the original powder charge I intended to use. Normal 38 spell loads for as long as I can remember were never loaded less than 800FPS and I have loaded for revolvers and autos such as my S&W mod 52 that only shoots flush wadcutters. I did find a 145 grain Lead HP with a rounded ogive (like the last NyClad) on Gunbroker that opens really well if you get above 800 fps. revolver, with a 3 barrel, and 4 6 oz. Some people then claimed SAAMI raised the 357 Mag to 45,000. Even better, is get some 38 S&W brass. ES 27 SD 12 Independence 130 grain FMJ round nose MV 892 fps ME 230 ft./lbs. Shot placement is just as important if not more. YouTube has plenty of reloading channels or the Reloaders Network webpage has more info as well. I dont bother polishing my .38 brass because I just dont let it fall in the mud or dirt. We look at three classics: one each in .45 ACP, .38 Special, and 9mm. IIRC, the NRA Action Pistol power floor is a "factor" of 125, which requires a full 1,000 fps for 125-gr bullets. Hornady also has load data for the 110-grain .357 XTP for the lower-pressure .38 Automatic. With a charge of only 3.1 grains of Winchester 231 powder, velocities run around 750 to 800 fps with good accuracy and mild recoil. Components add up to far less than even generic grade factory ammo. I have read some posts online from people who claim that it makes no difference whether the bullets are swaged or cast; and they can be loaded to the same velocity, but the swaged bullets will lead up a barrel faster because the lead is softer. I simply took mixed brass and ran em through the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP press with the bare minimum preparation. was a breeze. 44 Rem Mag 36,000. How does WST compare to Bullseye powder? I completely understand the respect for the performance of the 327 Fed, but not being a big fan of the 357 Mag (or 38 SPL plus P for that matter) I havent been drawn to the 327. Also internet references 2009, Copyright. I bought a Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull last year ahead of a hunt up in Wyoming. Required fields are marked *. The 38 Special, practically snubnose 38 Specials, seem to do their best work with bullets right around the 155-160 grain range. And yes I appreciate them for a hunting gun because of their fine accuracy and find trigger pulls (older classic guns). Yeah, my wifes last gun, with +P it actually HURTS! For best accuracy in slow fire shooting, you may want to raise gun before every shot. These are light and easy to shoot. 9.) Wow I learned something vital from this topic. Bullseye is the best powder I have found for 38 special. 10 for a full cylinder. And it isnt my first rodeo with a J-frame. 2.7 GR WST IS TOO LIGHT FOR THE 50 YD LINE. Totally agree. A 4 inch barrel would be my choice as well. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Wes, SASS Wire rules prohibit posting specific load data on the forum, but it can be passed along via private message or email. Loath and Loathe are different words that mean different things. +P? When you could leave city limits and just about every dirt mound in sight, was a plinking range. Try. (Or so I have heard.). each bullet is different for oal due to a crimp groove on most. Its like a pellet gun with a little noise and smoke if using black powder. 110gr JHP! These loads are for my wife's revolver. Youre describing Remington Multiball ammunition (R357MB)- I used to carry that stuff decades ago. Hodgdon's Basic Reloading Manual, (The free one, available for the asking. 1.455 in. I just bought a Lyman mold 160 round nose with a crimp groove. If you havent taken a look at what the .38 Special offers, youre selling yourself short. This produces about 550-650fps from a 1 7/8 barrel and feels like shooting a very powerful .22LR. . 4.4 gr. Home About Partners Contact. I don't know what bullets you have, but Berry's recommends per their website to use hard cast data for their plated bullets. : 1.475" Powder: 6.0 gr 6.9 gr Vel. BrianEnos.com Notes: Bbl Length: 5.6; primer: Fed. I have a few 30-30 cases modified to shoot singles with a very light load. Shot many thousands of my bullseye powder reloads with it. I'm still hunting for a DR load for my S&W M19-5. I'm asking the above questions because I don't want to run too hot of a load, but wasn't sure if it was ok to drop down below 2.8 as far as 2.5. This too is useful information. I was just trying to get a general consensus of what other guys were using. 38 special was also my first cartridge to reload, and one of my greatest loves for reloading to this day. If you are new to reloading. Handload: 158 grain round nose lead /3.8 grains Bullseye MV 775 fps ME 210 ft./lbs. THAT TIME IS BETTER SPENT LEARNING HOW TO SHOOT THE REVOLVER IN THE RAPID FIRE PORTION. My Lyman 49th has data for 125 gr JHP and 120 gr LRN. Using bullets from Hornady HP-XTP, Hornady HP-XTP or FP-XTP, Hornady FP-Cowboy, Hornady HBWC, Hornady SWC-HP, SWC or LRN. We look at three classics: one each in .45 ACP, .38 Special, and 9mm. It doesnt appear like there is much of an advantage in using WST with lighter weight bullets. * of Bullseye with Lee's 125gr RN mold in a 38 special with so-so accuracy. Like the author said, I consider it a garbage disposal round as you can load it with almost anything with good results. Note: More and more test are conducted with all rounds fired with powder UP against the primer for each shot, or DOWN on the bullet for each shot, then gently bring to horizontal to shoot. Because we have no action to cycle, the novice reloader can afford to be off a bit if they have an entry-level scale or powder dispenser. Maybe once a year I would reset everything to load up a few hundred .38 Spl for the wifes Detective Special, then right back to .357. The Speer #8 lists a max of 7.5 grs Unique with a 125 gr Jacketed SP This would be for plinking for my wife's ~3" Rossi, so something light and fun to shoot would be great.All three of those powders have published load data for that weight bullet in .38 Special.All three of those powders have published load data for that weight bullet in .38 . Me too! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Pick up any current gun magazine and youll be inundated with images of sexy black rifles. All newly manufactured .38 Special revolvers must be proof tested to the same higher proof . I have one that has been loaded about sixty times and it is still in use today. These were one each in .45 ACP, .38 Special, and 9mm. But I would only be caught dead with one in my hands if I had to use one for self defense (pun intended). Times across steel plate racks and many of my standard drills with the 200-grain SWCs rival my best easy-shooting 9mm results. They all shot horrible at 25 yards. There have been guns Ive bought for the caliber, but the .38 wasnt one of those.
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