Hi:
Loading for a Enfield No# 2 Mk #1 .38 S&W.
Planning on using a 200 grain Cast SWC w/gas (.360) check over 2 grains Bullseye
in new Remington cases.

Opinions ?

Thanks,
Jimmy

I don't see a need for gas checks with a slow, heavy load like that. In fact, if you are using .38 Special diameter bullets (.357-.358), the gas check is likely to prevent the bullet from expanding to the .360 dia bore of the .38 S&W barrel. Accuracy is likely to suffer.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

I would work up from 1.5, until you reach acceptable accuracy. Unless you are planning on keeping it loaded on the nightstand, why try for more wear on the gun.
I load 38 S&W with 1.8gr Red Dot and 158gr swc, plain base. And I did give it to my daughter to keep in her glovebox, (legal in TX), simply because she shoots it so very well.

Only thing to look out for is that no bullets get stuck in the barrel. That has been known to happen more than once. I would probably go a little heavier that 2 grains of Bullseye to ensure that doesn't happen. Unique is probably a better powder choice. The Lyman cast bullet handbook does not list any 200 grain loads, but it does go up to a max load of 3.7 grains of Unique and a 158 grain bullet. No need for gas checks. Lyman load recipes are for top break revolvers. My standard load is 3.5 grains of Unique with a 160 grain cast bullet, I use it in several old top breaks and have for a long time. For awhile I used 4 grains, but got a little more conservative in my later years.

I'm loading a 200gr LRN bullet over W231 without a GC with very good results.

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

I've never loaded any bullets with gas checks and always thought of them as sort of leading prevention for HOT loads. Unless you are pushing bullets to the max - I don't see the need for gas checks.

I have a Webley Mark III .38 S&W. The barrel slugs to .357 at the lands (British method). I did a lot of reloading tests. .357 to .361 and settled with fine result on 158gr .358 Missouri Bullet LSW. 2.3gr of W231 or 1.9gr of Titegroup. Start at a lower dose as I did.
Remington Target .357 and Privi Partisan .358 were good ammo choice for my pistol with good reloadable brass.

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.

Hi:
Tested some loads this P.M. at 21 feet (standing unsupported)
used new Remington nickeled cases

1.158 grain cast SWC with 3.1 grains Bullseye 3" group
2. 160 grain cast BB-FP with 2.0 grains Bullseye 2" group
3. 200 grain cast SWC with gas check and 2.0 Bullseye 3" group

I don't see a need for the gas check on low pressure loads for a top-break. I can't say that it's detrimental, just a waste of time.

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"from my cold dead hands" C.H.