I once rented a Ruger LCR in .38 Special. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. When I say that theres rarely a wrong way to do it, I really mean it. 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. 5.) Thanks for the start load Power Pistol will run lower pressures for the same velocity than W-W 231. 357 LCR in 3 inch variant. Three in particular proved as good as their longstanding reputations would indicate. That blunt-ended bullet cut a clean hole all the way through whatever its modest velocity allowed it to penetrate. (Note H110 & W296 are the same as of 2008 as is HP-38 & W231), (IMR 4227 is same as H-4227 if made in Australia), * Blackhorn 209 is a black powder substitute with smokeless like qualities. These two can cover the entire performance spectrum up to .38+P. Hence I carry a semi-auto pistol chambered in .40 S&W. If you have the means, I highly recommend you trying one out. head I use 3.2gr. 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 . Ok, will the bullet easily pass thru the cylinder throat, if so, you need the next larger size bullet dia. 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). I only wish the brass was more available locally. No benchrest, nothing but two shakey hands holding the pistol. There are so many new powders today, its hard to keep up. I keep thinking about trading it for a Model 27 or, maybe, one of the new Pythons for extra weight. Here's what the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook says for cast 125g flatpoint for 38 in the powders you mentioned. Interestingly, I had pistols that would shoot one well and the other impressively, but have not yet had one pistol do magic with both. You can post now and register later. YouTube has plenty of reloading channels or the Reloaders Network webpage has more info as well. For those who have issues using auto pistils, due ti arthritis or other medical issues with the hands an LCR or 642 is a great choice. 9 mm, .40 sw, 45 acp, .44 mag. These are hand loads.. load data was published in Lyman 50th edition.. A gun on you always works better than the gun left at home. The 158 gr cast plain base accuracy load was 4.0 gr 231 which gave 837 Fps and 15,900 psi. You can always back off to the .32 S&W Long or .32 H&R Mag if you choose to. with #2 Lyman duplicate. The majority of my shooting with .38 has taken place with soft lead bullets. Bullseye is one of the oldest smokeless pistol powders and still one of the most popular. Rookie, back in the day when I was reloading I went through a 3 round butt L. Horton special model 24, a 4 24 and a 4 624. My Hornady book says for 158 gr L-SWC, Unique powder, CCI magnum primer the minimum listed (not sure if that's absolute minimum) is 4.3 and maximum is 4.7. *WAP is not best choice for .38 special, too slow and inconsistent. The Model 19 is fine with .38s but mildly uncomfortable with .357s. BrianEnos.com Javascript is required. The SP101 is far more comfortable to shoot but not so much fun to carry. I found some data for 148 and 158 gr bullets but no published data on the 125s. Notes: Bbl Length: 5.6; primer: Fed. For any loads over 900-1,000 FPS, I suggest using a jacketed bullet. And it isnt my first rodeo with a J-frame. Using higher pressure loads will wear brass out faster and it will become brittle with time. Both have fed 100% in a variety of pistols and have shot very well. 38 spl.s. People who prepare usually tend to focus on the survival basics: security/self-defense, water, food, first aid, sanitation/hygiene, knowing when to get out and when to stay put. Therefore, .38 Special +P ammo can be as much as 17.5 percent hotter than standard .38 Special. She ran two cylinders of 100 grain wad cutters and gave it back to me. I haven't used any of those powders but I like faster powders in 38 Special like Titegroup and Clays. You are absolutely correct. It'll look funky, but it will shoot. This load tends to clock about 670 feet-per-second (fps) give or take 20, depending on the exact brand of wadcutter and the revolver its fired in. Thats a pretty clear explanation and comparison of the NEEDS of the strength of the chamber for each caliber. 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. less to start.) Its just two lubed balls on top of each other with the top ball roll crimped just past the hemisphere. .38 special has got to be one of the best calibers there is . each bullet is different for oal due to a crimp groove on most. A cold header, at their basic level, are multi ton power presses laying down on their side. Nickle cases look pretty but dont seem to take the number of resizings that plain brass cases do. I found the plated wadcutters to have NO accuracy. Me too! is a good place to start. Yes, I had no issues with the 38 SPL, but the 32 is just more FUN- especially when I get seven shots of it in a revolver the size of J frame! I dont bother polishing my .38 brass because I just dont let it fall in the mud or dirt. References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders Guide (1995) Hodgdons Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) Speer Reloading Manual, #12 Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. 38 special was also my first cartridge to reload, and one of my greatest loves for reloading to this day. Really important to have a chrono if you're going to work up loads When I first bought my chrono, I was amazed at how HOT my loads were - unnecessarily. There really is a recently developed technology that prevents leading, while eliminating messy lubricants. May 15, 2012. kc2za said: Hi All, I have been loading .38 spl with 2.7 gr. 6.) Unlike the author, I did *not* keep records, I cant even imagine how many rounds I loaded, almost 100% .357 magnum, since that was all I shot. The 9mm Bullseye load is a good stand-in for either training or match ammo, with the velocity putting the power factor comfortably over the minimum for action sports without too much extra oomph. 10. If there is a search function for these forums (didn't see one) I'd be happy to use that too Go to the Alliant website and find the data for Unique and Bullseye. defensive ammo. Anything goes with bullets. Also compared a S&W 638 to the S&W 36. Discussion: Bullseye is a faster burning powder and some people feel better suited for the .38 special. Posted: 4/17/2014 10:53:09 AM EST. 10,870. Hence the lack of load data from just about anybody. I have tested both brass and nickel-plated cases using mild loadings and have not yet worn out a case. Would you like to react to this message? Your email address will not be published. YMMV. Min Charge Max Charge Optimal Charge Bullet Make Bullet Type Primer Notes; Hodgdon - 700-X: 125 gr. Speer .38 shot cup, 5 grains of UNIQUE, and (3) #1 Buckshot pellets dates back to the 70s as a Junk Yard Dog load. 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. TITEGROUP AND 125GR 38 SPECIAL LOAD DATA Ammunition-Gunsmithing Reloading Forum Register Notices Consider Becoming A Supporting Member Click HERE For The Benefits Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here Thread Tools Display Modes # 1 01-24-2016, 05:38 AM RONALD HENSLEY Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Waynesville NC Posts: 114 Likes: 12 Does anyone have any data. 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. Hornady COPYRIGHT 2021, THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM. 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. A little shopping around might do better, as would casting the lead bullets. Minnesota. Josh Wayner is a Michigan native, active competitor, Grand Valley State University alumni, troublemaker, and fiction author. I dont miss lubing casescarbide is king! The Charter Arms .44 models are potential CCWs, but are too light to properly handle the .44 spl. Also some WSF. Bonus is the CT #305 grips are both large enough to be actually useful, and can use the laser, or turn it off if you dont need the laser. 7.8 gr Blue Dot 1,170 fps 1.43" Fed 100 Alliant Suggested starting load: 7.0 gr Pressure: 15,700 4.5 gr Bullseye 1,085 fps 1.43" Fed 100 Alliant Suggested starting load: 4.1 gr Pressure: 14,900 That little 9 oz. Hornady 115-grain HAPs over 4.4 grains of Bullseye alongside 25-yard timed-fire target. Any pistol competitions yet? A revolver shooting .38 SPL only requires the power of your finger to make it fire and can thus be loaded with ammo that is extremely mild or hotter than hot. In my area, Bullseye is one of the first powders to disappear from shelves, lasting about a heartbeat longer than an econo bulk box of .22 Long Rifle ammunition. Rules say (e) Ammunition- Any safe .38 caliber ammunition using the 158 grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter bullet only. No offense sir but those charges look low for Unique. Shot placement is just as important if not more. Re: 38 special loads by GrumpyOldMan 11/10/2013, 4:23 pm IIRC, the NRA Action Pistol power floor is a "factor" of 125, which requires a full 1,000 fps for 125-gr bullets. I think the 158 lrn is more accurate then the swc but that's just me. Thanks very much to LarryinTX for that! 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. .38 J frame.) Really interested in getting the. Any hotter and we get into a recoil issue. 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. After making a healthy pile of brass with this load, I am unlikely to ever be without a few boxes of it on standby.