In fact, in the past I specifically sought out revolvers chambered in 38 SPL only, knowing I would never be putting a 357 Mag in it (I carried a 4 GP100 chambered in 38 SPL as a duty sidearm in the early 90s). Pasted as rich text. .38 Special: What I've Learned After 20,000 Rounds Only the Model 60 sometimes have factory installed grips that are not worthless. 38 special load question - Bullseye Forum I dont miss lubing casescarbide is king! And I still think a 158 at 600 beats hell out of a 22 magnum of any stripe. The Pistol a Smith and Wesson model 27-2 The goal is two fold. 38 special , bullseye, and 125 grain lead rnfp - The Firing Line 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. Handload: 158 grain round nose lead /3.8 grains Bullseye MV 775 fps ME 210 ft./lbs. Im not a hoarder and I dont keep them, but I am detailed in my process. I've tried 2.8, 3.0, and 3.2. Do not use anything but light loads and lead bullets in these older revolvers. Unlike many other guns Ive owned and carried, this little snubby really cant be modified much beyond factory configuration. Groups with these loads ranged from 1.25 inches to just under two inches at 25 yards across a handful of pistols. Shot many thousands of my bullseye powder reloads with it. (Inceptor) Diameter: 0.357" Powder: CFE Pistol (Hodgdon) Primer: WIN WSP Case: WIN Trim Length: 1.145" C.O.L. I went to the grocery store to buy a loath of bread.. A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air. 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. IMR 3031 and IMR 4895 are products of IMR (formerly DuPont) Powder Company. The manufacturing process of swaged bullets requires relatively soft lead for two reasons. Using a new 105g bullet and no one has load data for itor do they But I found 2.4 and 2.7 interesting at 25 yards off the sandbags. I have 100% confidence in my ability to shoot quickly, accurately, and comfortably with the 32, and I also have confidence that, if needed, my 32 H&R loads from Buffalo Bore and DoubleTap are quite capable of doing the job they are asked to do. If there is only ONE load, it is MAX. Case life is excellent, especially for mild loads. Great Cast Lead Bullet for IDPA. 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. If you havent taken a look at what the .38 Special offers, youre selling yourself short. Sorry I can't be of more help, but I use 158 grain coated RNFP and don't use any of those powders that you list. These are the bullets I bought: 158 gr from Roze dist. Swaged bullets do not have the hardness of poured (cast) lead. I have done it with 38 special and 44 Mag, only to have a lead coated bore that looked like a rusty old drain pipe. I just bought a Lyman mold 160 round nose with a crimp groove. With all the loads available, you can surely find one within recoil tolerance. Yeah, my wifes last gun, with +P it actually HURTS! Alliant listed 3.6 gr Bullseye as maximum (15000 psi) in 38 Special and 3.8 as max in 38 Special PLUS P (17000 psi) with 158 LSWC bullets. So if you find a "lead" load it is also a plated load. IT'S A COMBINATION TAPER AND ROLL CRIMP. Best and most realistic article about the .38 special ive found. Using bullets from Hornady HP-XTP, Hornady HP-XTP or FP-XTP, Hornady FP-Cowboy, Hornady HBWC, Hornady SWC-HP, SWC or LRN. The use of .38 +P+ level (25,000 27,500 psi) type reloads, in .357 brass. The least is usually supplied as a large cylindrical billet weighing several hundred pounds. Use data for weight. Similarly on drills with set times such as firing five shots in five seconds onto a bull at ten yards, the Bullseye load allows a little more time per shot to take advantage of a great 1911 trigger and lets the shooter nearly push shots into the same hole. Loath and Loathe are different words that mean different things. 11/2/2022. https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t2221-distinguished-revolver-loads-that-don-t-suck?highlight=distinguished+++%2Bloads, Load question on Penn Bullets for Distinguished load. Times across steel plate racks and many of my standard drills with the 200-grain SWCs rival my best easy-shooting 9mm results. These are hand loads.. load data was published in Lyman 50th edition.. Youre describing Remington Multiball ammunition (R357MB)- I used to carry that stuff decades ago. favorite 38 Special handloads - 24hourcampfire head I use 3.2gr. .38 Special +P Load Data - PowderThrough For 3 that actually doesnt kick too badly. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 125 gr plated or 125 gr lead RN. Load with 38 S&W data. I have a few 30-30 cases modified to shoot singles with a very light load. I don't have a chronograph, but have considered picking one up. Depends on what kind of load you're after. .38 special has got to be one of the best calibers there is . You will be, essentially, making 38 Short Colt. Power Pistol won't work for me. A longer case, with have a tighter crimp them a shorter one, what will lead to variations in pressure, and accuracy. Agree 100% since I reload and shoot it since years, lost count. This is not loaded 9mm ammo. 4.4 gr. Im still new to reloading, having done 2500 38 spl with bullseye. There is a difference in the manufacturing process of swaged bullets. Lucky me. I recently bought trail boss and it runs fine out of my 14-3. 148-grain wadcutter brings accuracy that begs the shooter to test their limits. Load it using wadcutter specs, and seat the bullet flush, like a wadcutter. I'd rather shoot my .45 then. And for 99% of the actual real world needs of a citizen for self defense it will work just fine. If youre recoil averse (and dont have a disability of some kind), its because you havent shot it enough. The design of this modern revolver makes the SW guns seem archaic. This is good, because the snub takes a lot of practice to have a consistent capability. I did 400 rounds in one afternoon on my Hornady progressive. I.E. Bullseye is one of the oldest smokeless pistol powders and still one of the most popular. I wanted a good carry gun that was light and reliable, so I decided that the .38 would fit and I just went with it. Accurates No. In one or two strokes, the bullet is formed ready for dip lubing. VV N320, N330 and N340 are products of VihtaVouri Oy Company All newly manufactured .38 Special revolvers must be proof tested to the same higher proof . But one classic target load is not far behind the .38 wadcutter in its own reputation with target shooters: a 200-grain semiwadcutter bottling up 4.6 grains of Bullseye. 38 Special 158gr. JHP Load? | Glock Talk With the powders you listed I would try Bullseye, 231, and Unique in that order. Fifty yards of course is the preferred distance. Berry says load plated bullets to mid-range jacketed bullets of same profile and weight or equal to hard cast. Taurus model 66 38 special/Bullseye/125 berry's bullets load test 44 Rem Mag 36,000. I make a habit of counting the number of reloads I make by keeping a tally of primer and bullet boxes. Only need cast when driving up to 1200 fps or so. Ive been looking for a reason to get into reloading, and am particularly intrigued by the extremely long case life of .38 Special. Like Wobbly. On my J frame S&W without the CT #305 Laser Grips, I swapped out to a Hoque set. 10 for a full cylinder. The beauty of shooting a .38 is that you can easily practice at the ranges you'd fight at using basically any cheap bullet at minimal expense. However recoil will be the limiting factor especially for the short line. 9 mm, .40 sw, 45 acp, .44 mag. 38 special loads - Bullseye Forum Hi. I had enough, The Model 1911 pistol will officially turn 100 years old on May 5, 2011. New to Reloading-Unique powder recipes for .38 special WST seems like such a good powder in .45 ACP that I thought I might try it. Dennis, I dont reload and Im only 72, but shooting the .38Spl in my 6 S&W 586 is a sublime experience. 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. The average street punk today has more firepower than the Russian Army did in WWII and trying to re-load a revolver in a fire fight is the best way to commit suicide that I could ever think of. SASS# 85224. The flyers tend to be severe. I am loath to shoot several cylinders of standard pressure/velocity .38 Special 125 grain bullets out of a Smith and Wesson Model 642 revolver (or similar). I never really set my sights, in a manner of speaking, on the .38 cartridge like I did other rounds. Im also impressed by the apparent durability of your Airweight J-frame. Through the heyday of bullseye shooting over the various match courses of fire, there was probably a Mount Rushmore-sized mountain of powder loaded and combusted 2.7 grains at a time. . Good job on you! LOL. It is less of an issue on a progressive press, but still requires attention. WAP, WMR, WSF, WSL, 760, 748, 231 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div. Many people tend to poo-poo .38 Special (standard pressure) for self-defense as being somehow underpowered. Enter to win an FN FAL Rifle. Bullseye and NRA Distinguished Revolver Beginners to shooting can use a full size revolver or their carry gun with light to mild loads to become confident and familiar with marksmanship and trigger control. 2 and No. In my time with the cartridge, I have come to appreciate the mid to low end of the power spectrum and thus have made extensive use of Trail Boss powder and bullets such as Hornadys .358 158gr SWC. In terms of thousands of rounds of range practice, though, that is a definite no-go in my book. It doesnt appear like there is much of an advantage in using WST with lighter weight bullets. Me too! Even though the gun was chambered for .357 Magnum, I plinked and practiced with a lot of .38s over the years. The 919 case is tapered and therefore wider at the base than the .38 special is. Also some WSF. However, after consulting my several different manuals, 3.5 seems to be a border line max load. Alliant Pistol/Revolver Load Data: Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data. If you have the means, I highly recommend you trying one out. Recoil was so nasty that I quit after five shots and saved the rest of the box for my 6 Model 19 .357. When you could leave city limits and just about every dirt mound in sight, was a plinking range. Great gun with the best factory double action trigger Ive ever shot. If I do carry a revolver its my 642 with a laser grip in my right front pocket or my SW model 69 5 shot 44 mag. .38 will take care of nearly any critter that needs dispatching feral cats, raccoon, armadillo, even wait for it. Wow I learned something vital from this topic. IMHO .38 special is just fine for self defense, but just not enough to crack engine blocks. 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. For any loads over 900-1,000 FPS, I suggest using a jacketed bullet. Congratulations on spelling loath right. Just an FYI. Ive done the majority of shooting in .38 Special in my Smith & Wesson 642. Hodgdons Clays, International, Universal and HP38 are good choices. I dont see much conversation on these specifics but I think Its all about the size of the explosion in the chamber. Hehe, back before Nick skimmed down. Too early Are you sure? Great gun. favorite cowboy load (38 spl) - SASS Wire - SASS Wire Forum Min Charge Max Charge Optimal Charge Bullet Make Bullet Type Primer Notes; Hodgdon - 700-X: 125 gr. Classics go well together: circa 1909 S&W .38 Special and traditional 148-grain wadcutter load of 2.7 grains of Bullseye. IIRC, I used 4.5 gr of Bullseye under a 125 gr lead bullet for a light plinker, and 5.6 gr of Bullseye under a 148 gr wadcutter (~815 fps, 4" bbl, probably around 750 fps out of a snub). The Lyman is handy for sizing or priming while youre watching a movie. Below, are three loaded rounds. Between that, some other info on other forums, Winchester's data for a lead flat point, and numbers from loaddata.com, I think I have some to start with. I found the plated wadcutters to have NO accuracy. Notes: primer: CCI 500; case: Speer; NOTE: All loads are maximum. Reloading Data for .38 Special - Load Data - 1895Gunner. I miss those days. Proof of concept with .38 first, then on to 9mm where we have to actually cycle a slide but I think Ive got that problem solved. It seems to burn completely in the .38 and is not as critical as the faster powders like Bullseye. Your email address will not be published. Ethan Johns is a military professional with worldwide experience in specialized units. I bought a Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull last year ahead of a hunt up in Wyoming. I find the Pachmayr Compac grips on my 640 reduce the slap of full-boat .357 to less than that on my 3 M65 (w/ wood Altamont grips) or my 4 686 (Pachmayr Gripper Professional grips.) May 15, 2012. kc2za said: Hi All, I have been loading .38 spl with 2.7 gr. Maybe its just me, but having that tiny bit of extra length and weight in the cylinder that I was never going to use just kinda bothered me. 38 special 125gr copper plated HP38 reloading data Minnesota. is limited to either the various Charter Arms models, or as a training/target load in a .44 magnum size handguns. 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. Bullseye Handgun Powders Smokeless pistol powder Billions of rounds have been loaded with Bullseye since it was introduced in 1913. Hornady All three of those powders have published load data for that weight bullet in .38 Special. But this piece isnt about the gun, but rather the cartridge. Where many shooters quickly tire of even standard-pressure .38 in the little five-shooters, the wadcutter invites cylinder after cylinder of practice. Speer shows 3.9 to 4.5 grains for a double end lead wadcutter but I'm thinking that may be a little strong for a plated bullet. A light target load, which tends to be very accurate, is about 3.1 grains, with a 158 grain bullet. These loads are for my wife's revolver. Generally, I'm looking for a load that produces accuracy from approx. Replaced w/ Altamont laminated wood, and later w/ open- back Pachmayrs- the less-pronounced finger grooves fit me better. I go with the cheap and easy shake and bake technique that requires only plastic Glad container with a lid, handful of black 6mm BBs and old toaster owen. So . I probably shoot more 38s than everything else put together but a Dillon 750 makes loading a lot faster. 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. Load data to make power factor 38 special - Revolver Forum - Brian Enos Since it hit the market 103 years ago, it has been a staple for most handloaders and the backbone of most accuracy loads in the popular calibers. Bullseye is a little smoky, a lot sooty, and has a distinct odor. The floor does not apply for PPC, or the equivalent match for Action Pistol. Ive tried full metal jacket and the Hornady Action Pistol (HAP) match hollow point in this load, and both ranged from good to great in my nines. I never enjoyed touching off a 357 Mag in a K frame, and I cannot imagine the discomfort of firing it in anything smaller or lighter. 2.7 GR WST IS TOO LIGHT FOR THE 50 YD LINE. I have 125 grain jacketed bullets, Bullseye powder and CCI 500 primers. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.