Is anybody reloading the Lee 105gr. SWC bullet in .38 Specials? I was wondering if this 105gr.SWC would be an option in the .38 Special for Bullseye shooting in a gallery course instead of 148gr. WC'ers or 158gr. SWCers. I'm not looking to push it fast, just enough to get it to the target (50 feet) with less recoil that the 148gr. WC or 158gr. SWC. I'm shooting a S&W Mod. 14-3 and I'm also curious if the rifling twist S&W uses would work with this light bullet. My main intrest would be for the timed and rapid fire lines with the thought of less recoil meaning faster recovery time if I can get sufficiant accuracy.

Kirmdog

Is anybody reloading the Lee 105gr. SWC bullet in .38 Specials? I was wondering if this 105gr.SWC would be an option in the .38 Special for Bullseye shooting in a gallery course instead of 148gr. WC'ers or 158gr. SWCers. I'm not looking to push it fast, just enough to get it to the target (50 feet) with less recoil that the 148gr. WC or 158gr. SWC. I'm shooting a S&W Mod. 14-3 and I'm also curious if the rifling twist S&W uses would work with this light bullet. My main intrest would be for the timed and rapid fire lines with the thought of less recoil meaning faster recovery time if I can get sufficiant accuracy.

Kirmdog

Lyman #43 info shows info for a 115 grain full wad (358425), next step down in weight is a 77 grain (358101).

115 grain
Bullseye
2.0 grains-690 FPS

77 grain
Bullseye
1.5 grains-560 FPS

I'd say split the difference between the two numbers as a starter?

In a model 14, I've had rotten luck with the short bullets not being particularly accurate. A 148gr wadcutter over about 3 gr of 231 practically all go in the same hole at 25yd. It takes a fair amount of practice to cock and shoot a revolver one-handed in rapid fire, but before autos we all did it that way.

__________________
Science plus Art

I agree!
Not much length on the bullets body to make the transition to the forcing cone with?

Well I guess I'll stick with my 148gr w/ 2.7 BE. WC. It's not that hard to shoot the timed and rapid fire lines with a revolver and some practice but it sure is easier with a 1911 BE gun. I have a Lyman 43 manual and have seen the loads for the two lighter WC'ers but have never had enought luck to purchase one let alone see one in person. That's why I was curious about the Lee SWC'er

Thanks for the info guys! I'm not good enugh to make High Master or Master shooting my Mod 14 but I do have fun shooting it and was looking for possibly adding some points to my scores with lighter bullet/less recoil and more aiming time between shots. Oh well, I guess there are no shortcuts! Back to practice, practice practice.


Kirmdog

I use the 105gr LSWC sized .356" in my 9mm but I need about 1000fps to get good results. Anything less will start keyholing, although it is quite mild to shoot. I always used the 148gr HBWC in my .38 with 2.5gr RedDot which is just a little faster than Bullseye. The hollow base can always get by with lower charge weights and very mild recoil, never had a problem using it in my revolver in rapid fire.