Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-27-2013, 02:25 PM
beaverislander beaverislander is offline
US Veteran
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 708
Likes: 1,253
Liked 926 Times in 269 Posts
Default 38 Special Loads

I have not re-loaded 38's. Been doing 357Mags and 45ACP's for awhile, so I have some supplies on hand I'd like to use.

The only bullets I have are the .357 Action ones from Missouri Bullet Company. They are 158gr SWC. After poking around awhile, I see that this is a common bullet for the 38 Special too, so that is what I plan to use.

I have both CCI 500 small pistol & 550 small pistol mag primers. I'd kind of like to use the mags just to use them up, but both are available.

I have 3 different powders on hand, HP-38, Unique, and Bullseye. I'd kind of like to use the Bullseye up, but again, all are available.

So, for those of you with experience loading the 38 special, what would you put together?

The only shooting will be in light J-frames (i.e.342PD) so "I DO NOT" want to get into +P stuff.
Thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-27-2013, 03:01 PM
Dr. D. Dr. D. is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 28
Likes: 30
Liked 15 Times in 9 Posts
Default

Recently I have been using the HP-38 with 158 gr LRNFP at 3.5 gr (ran out of BE and couldn't find any in my area). Have used 2.8 gr BE for years. Both work well. I would skip the mag primers and stick with the manual recommended CCI-500 small pistol primers.

That said, please check the powder manufacturers web sites to confirm the loads.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-27-2013, 06:44 PM
loc n load loc n load is offline
SWCA Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: S/W Indiana
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 1,923
Liked 2,458 Times in 876 Posts
Default 38 specials

I settled on 3.5 @ bullseye and lead RN 158 gr'ers/std primers for my 38's back in the early 70's......I have loaded over 100,000 rds of this since then.....I used RN's in the 38's cause I was competing in IPSC back then and they loaded better from speed loaders.....
I ran 2.8 Bulleseye driving the swaged HBWC'sin my PPC gun and model 52.....it was very accurate....
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-27-2013, 07:47 PM
beaverislander beaverislander is offline
US Veteran
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 708
Likes: 1,253
Liked 926 Times in 269 Posts
Default

My Speer Manual #14 lists 3.1gr to start up to 3.5 Max (Bullseye.)

I just put up 5 @ 3.1 and 10 @ 3.2. Both stung but that 3.2 felt more like a +P to me, soooo I'm not going back there. Yeah I know, getting old!

I already have 10 each of 2.8, 2.9, and 3.0 loaded up for tomorrow.

I hate that little gun (but never leave home without it :-)

Tomorrow should be a good day. I will check these loads out and get a chance to try some different 257 Roberts that I put up for my son's rifle which I have never shot before. Just need the weather man to cooperate.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-27-2013, 08:40 PM
GyMac GyMac is offline
US Veteran
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SW Washington
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 616
Liked 288 Times in 168 Posts
Default

I like 4.0 grains of HP-38/Win 231 (the same powder). I use standard primers only. After years of shooting the .45, the .38 Special has become one of my favorite calibers.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #6  
Old 04-28-2013, 04:52 AM
ArchAngelCD's Avatar
ArchAngelCD ArchAngelCD is offline
Moderator
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Northeast PA, USA
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 1,029
Liked 5,070 Times in 2,660 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by GyMac View Post
I like 4.0 grains of HP-38/Win 231 (the same powder). I use standard primers only. After years of shooting the .45, the .38 Special has become one of my favorite calibers.
That right there is my favorite .38 Special load and I personally feel it has a different type of recoil than Bullseye does and it's not as offensive.

I load a 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231 ignited with a CCI-500 primer and that load is very clean and accurate in every revolver I've shot it from. That load is shot often in my M442 and it's not so bad...
__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-28-2013, 09:21 AM
MDMarauder's Avatar
MDMarauder MDMarauder is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Marylandistan
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 218
Liked 396 Times in 174 Posts
Default

Another one for 4.0gr 231/HP-38 158gr SWC. 3.5gr 231/HP-38 148gr DEWC. Been shooting these loads for some time and they shoot great out of my revolvers.
__________________
Life is good!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-28-2013, 09:36 AM
dkp9782 dkp9782 is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: NE
Posts: 123
Likes: 54
Liked 11 Times in 8 Posts
Default

I switched to 3.0 grains of Trailboss some time back, with a wheelweight cast Lee 158 LSWC. Prefer Remington standard primers. Reason being... VERY little leading. That said, back in the day I shot loads of that same bullet with 2.8 of Bullseye and a CCI magnum, with very good results. Also shot a lot of Unique. Around 3 grains. Same results. 38 is my favorite caliber, and I like to think I've shot most powder/bullet combos. I never load high-end tho, my opinion is if I need more power I go to a 357 with gas checks and 2400
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-28-2013, 09:40 AM
steamloco76's Avatar
steamloco76 steamloco76 is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,676
Likes: 1,769
Liked 3,702 Times in 1,242 Posts
Default

I've loaded and fired thousands of rounds with 3.2 to 3.5 grains of Bullseye pushing either 158 LSWC or RNFP bullets. Good accuracy, enough velocity to hit reasonably hard and not too dirty. I had formerly used 4 to 4.5 grains of Unique, however, those low density charges make Unique burn dirty. I save the Unique for +P and medium .357 Mag loads.

As for primers, stick with standard primers for all .38 Special loads. The much hotter magnum primers can raise pressure dramatically and alter load dynamics.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-28-2013, 10:02 AM
MikeyB's Avatar
MikeyB MikeyB is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 434
Likes: 193
Liked 212 Times in 85 Posts
Default

Good info. I used to load my .38's with Unique but the next batch will be W231 using 158gr LSWC.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-28-2013, 10:55 AM
rsrocket1 rsrocket1 is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: DFW Texas, a free state!
Posts: 755
Likes: 42
Liked 326 Times in 197 Posts
Default

I think you'll find that 4.0g Bullseye will feel just about the same as 4.0g HP38, but maybe a bit more smokey. If you have a stainless steel gun, you'll notice the difference with Bullseye. It will coat the cylinder with a nice film of soot, but it doesn't build up and takes no more time to clean than anything else.

Since these loads are nowhere near the maximum, you won't notice the difference between SP and SPM primers either. In fact, I use SP, SPM and SR primers in all applications that call for SP primers. I've worked up loads, tested and chrony'ed them and there is no difference when using them in moderate loads with fast (pistol type) powders, the powder ignites easy enough with the SP primers and the extra flame of the SPM and SR primers makes no difference.

I went through 5 pounds of Bullseye last year. This year I'm working on an 8 pound jug of Unique with my handgun loads. With 38 special, my favorite is 5.0g under a 158g RNF lead bullet, but that is getting into +P territory (but way under 357 Mag pressure limits and I shoot with a Ruger Service Six). It burns cleanly in that situation, but it may be a little stout for your gun. 4.5g may be a little safer and it will give you about 50 more fps than the 4.0g Bullseye/HP38 load.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-28-2013, 11:10 AM
Nevada Ed's Avatar
Nevada Ed Nevada Ed is offline
US Veteran
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Reno Nv
Posts: 13,376
Likes: 3,183
Liked 12,712 Times in 5,669 Posts
Default

To get away from the "Sting" of the 158gr lead bullets with
3.2grs of bullseye you will need to drop down to 2.7 grains of powder and load some 148 gr wc bullets.

In a snub nose J frame you will go from 3.41 ft/lbs of recoil down to just 2.61 ft/lbs with the 148 gr bullet.

1.90 to 2.08 is possible with bullseye and a 125gr lead bullet
with 3.2 grs of powder with around 640 fps.

Good luck.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-28-2013, 01:19 PM
blujax01's Avatar
blujax01 blujax01 is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: C-Bus
Posts: 6,335
Likes: 4,311
Liked 4,916 Times in 2,086 Posts
Default

They are all suitable.

I am fond of the Hodgdon Power formulated for 38 Special
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #14  
Old 04-28-2013, 01:36 PM
Rule3's Avatar
Rule3 Rule3 is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,065
Likes: 10,777
Liked 15,467 Times in 6,788 Posts
Default

As mentioned, they all will work, I prefer HP38/W231 and BE over Unique. They meter a little better.

SPM primers are a lot hotter than regular SP primers. I am not intending to get in the whole debate all over again. But the regular primer is recommended.
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

Last edited by Rule3; 10-02-2013 at 02:35 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-28-2013, 07:43 PM
HankG HankG is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Illinois
Posts: 281
Likes: 234
Liked 336 Times in 124 Posts
Default

How low can I go on charge weight using Bullseye with 125 Grain jacketed .38 bullets exiting a 2" barrel. Want to keep the recoil as low as possible for my wife but not risk sticking a bullet in the barrel. Currently I'm using 4.5 grains of powder.

Last edited by HankG; 04-28-2013 at 08:43 PM. Reason: Finished my thought
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-28-2013, 09:10 PM
MichiganScott MichiganScott is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: God's Country
Posts: 4,711
Likes: 1,235
Liked 3,535 Times in 1,770 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by HankG View Post
How low can I go on charge weight using Bullseye with 125 Grain jacketed .38 bullets exiting a 2" barrel. Want to keep the recoil as low as possible for my wife but not risk sticking a bullet in the barrel. Currently I'm using 4.5 grains of powder.
That's really not predictable because there are simply too many variables. Barrel smoothness, how dirty it is, barrel diameter, barrel to cylinder gap, throat size, etc.

It's just not worth it to try to go too light with jacketed bullets.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-28-2013, 10:52 PM
couleeflyfisher couleeflyfisher is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Great NorthWest
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

When we first started reloading in the '60's for .38/.357 our plinking and all around loads were 3 gr. Bullseye, that was the standard powder. Lots of new powders in the next 50 years. I've still got some Bullseye in the cabinet and will have to try it again, I bet it's still a good choice.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-29-2013, 01:35 AM
bnewc75 bnewc75 is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Smile 158g & BE

@ 3.5g one eight pound keg lasts a long time... until our next election?
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 04-29-2013, 11:28 AM
HankG HankG is offline
Member
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Illinois
Posts: 281
Likes: 234
Liked 336 Times in 124 Posts
Default

Thanks for the info, gentlemen.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 05-05-2013, 02:53 PM
beaverislander beaverislander is offline
US Veteran
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 708
Likes: 1,253
Liked 926 Times in 269 Posts
Default

I want to thank everyone for the advice offered. I tried most everything suggested, and after many combo's I have settled on 3.4 gr HP-38 with the 158gr LSWC from Missouri Bullet Company and CCI 500primers.
I went down to 2.5gr of Bullseye, but to me it was still harsher than the 3.4 HP-38.
Now it's time to load up a bunch and give them to my daughter to try.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 05-05-2013, 03:21 PM
Nframecollector Nframecollector is offline
Banned
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: South Texas
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 638
Liked 461 Times in 270 Posts
Default

4 grs. of bullseye is what I use for all my target loads in 38spl. and 357 mag. with bullets up to the 173 gr. Keith bullet............with that one I drop back to 3.5 grs. bullseye!
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 05-06-2013, 10:50 AM
Nevada Ed's Avatar
Nevada Ed Nevada Ed is offline
US Veteran
38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads 38 Special Loads  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Reno Nv
Posts: 13,376
Likes: 3,183
Liked 12,712 Times in 5,669 Posts
Default

I try to keep my Jhp bullets at 800 fps or faster.

In my M49 snub nose my chrony reads +/- 820 fps with.......
4.8grs of Bullseye with a cci 500 primer with a +/- 61 ES.......
with a win sjhp bullet.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
38 Special Hi-Speed or 38 Special Super X factory loads 38SPL HV Ammo 1 05-04-2016 11:33 PM
Recommendations? Easy 44 Special loads and Quality 22 LR loads dacoontz Ammo 19 05-30-2015 07:13 PM
200 gr. .38 Special loads kaaskop49 Ammo 65 02-02-2015 05:16 PM
.38 Special Loads for S&W 642 torchrider Reloading 6 07-04-2010 11:26 PM
.38 Special loads tgwillard Reloading 15 12-02-2009 02:13 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:32 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)