On a whim, I bought 1200 158 grain RNL bullets from Midway. They were sold as being blemished, although I see no evidence to indicate that. It looks like a simple repack. My interest is using them for plinking. (working on my double action shooting)

My plan is to work up a Bullseye load of 3.8 grains. I will be shooting them through a Model 10. Your thoughts?

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I believe in the wadcutter.

My plinking load for the special is 4.0 grains of Unique with the same 158 gr. weight different manufacturer RNL bullets. Shoots great out of my Model 10. People will tell you Unique is a dirty powder. Thats true but I don't mind, you've got to clean the gun afterwards anyway and I like getting my hands dirty.

I USE 3.2GR OF WST. JP

I use 3.5 Bullseye with a 158 grain SWC. Works great in all my K frame 38s.

Steve

I would use 3.5 BE and stop - that's a classic load that does everything you ask of the 158 LRN. Another choice to consider is 4.0 231/HP-38.

+ 1 on the 4.0 gr W231/HP-38. I like RNL bullets in the .38 Special.

Big ++ on the 3.5 of BE

Depending on the BHN of the bullets you bought, I wouldn't limit them to plinking, and I like unique as well, but it shoots cleaner with moderate to warmer loads, and a good visit to the Lee Factory Crimp Die.

For plinking, 2.8 grains of Bullseye would be great. It's a very accurate load in my pre-14 at 25 yards.

For plinking loads which I also use in steel challenge shgoots is 2.8 gr. Trail Boss behind the 158 gr. LRN - a very mild and accurate load. For the revolver matches at Camp Perry I load 3.5 gr. American Select which approximates the velocity of the factory load at ca. 790 fps.

By looking at the Midway web site, the bullets appear to be Hornady.

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I believe in the wadcutter.

I'll load a 100 and report back.

__________________
I believe in the wadcutter.

Just back from a session coaching a friend in revolver shooting.
Had him shooting 148 HBWC target loads.
Switched him to my 158/4.0 231 loads and he actually shot better.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I also agree a charge of 4.0gr W231 under a 158gr LRN bullet is a great load. My favorite .38 Special load is a 158gr LSWC under 4.0gr W231. (no difference when loading)

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Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437

If they're Hornady they will be swaged rather than hard cast.
Your load of 3.8 grs Bullseye is listed as +P by today's
standards. I prefer mild loads for plinking and would try about
3.4 grs BE, 3.2 grs WST or 3.8 grs W231 if it was me. You will
probably have to experiment a bit if you're looking for best
accuracy.

Thanks for the tip. I will use a reduced amount of Bullseye.

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I believe in the wadcutter.

For Target Shooting there is nothing more accurate than 158 grain RNL bullets IMHO. I think they are even better than the 148 grain Wadcutters! They will also yield a whole lot less leading than the WC design. As long as they are not used for defensive shooting, the're GREAT!

Of course I like the original more pointed oblong bullets, but they have become hard to find these days, with the popular more rounded nose version being readily available. Other than looks, the new ones perform equally as well IMHO.

Chief38

3.2 of B.E. Under a 358311 LRN from a Lyman mold a thing of beauty to behold!!!! In my speed six w/ a 2.75 " barrel the thing is soooooo accurate. I use CCI primers exclusively, and have not had any problems. Good luck finding your pet load! Su amigo..... Mexicanjoe!

I have pretty much settled on a load of 4.7 grains of Unique under a 158 RN as my All Purpose 38 Special Load.
It works great for IDPA Targets.
It has enough Thump to knock over Steel with High Hits.
It shoots in my 442 without being overly abusive.
It works great with Safariland Comp III Speed Loaders.
It also works fine for my general carry load when bumming around, for snakes, armodillows, etc.

I have tryed several newer powders. I keep coming back to Unique for most of my handgun reloading. It will work in every handgun I own from 38 Special all the way up to my 480 Ruger General Purpose Load.


Bob

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ICORE MO2908

3.2 gr. Of Bullseye or 4.0 gr. Of W231 under 158 gr. LSWC work great in my 66's and is very accurate.

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mr mom
Fire Chief, Retired

3.0 G of BE works great 158g RN at 25yds.

The lesson in this thread is that it's hard to make a BAD 38 load...

(BTW, I use 4.0grs W231, and I've tested and concur with many others' recommendation of 5.0grs of Unique, both with 158gr bullets.)