.38 Special factory load duplication

[GyMac]

Going to rejuvenate this thread. I loaded 4.4 231 behind some old laser cast 158 SWC I have had for some time. I plan to shoot them out of my new to me Model 15-5. I loaded 50 and will try from various distances out to 25 yds. maybe 50.

thanks again

Excellent, I'm very interested. I'm loading 4.2 grains of HP-38 behind a 158 grain SWC.

 

[Phideaux]

I agree, very informative. Thanks for taking the time to post and share with us.

 

[PDL]

I had some 150gr JHCs that I loaded with 4.4 gr of 231. Comfortable out of my M-36. Nothing exotic, but fun to shoot.

 

[SW CQB 45]

these are waiting to be shot. 4.4 231 158swc

I will have to sight in my 15-5, so hopefully its close so I can focus on accuracy instead of sighting in.

either friday or saturday morning...hopefully!

 

[cp1969]

It'll probably work fine, but you are .4 gr over the max recommended load in Lyman #49 for a 158 gr. cast SWC.

Also, don't even worry about sighting in until you've got a load that groups well. At this point, that's all you're looking for.

 

[SW CQB 45]

It'll probably work fine, but you are .4 gr over the max recommended load in Lyman #49 for a 158 gr. cast SWC.

Also, don't even worry about sighting in until you've got a load that groups well. At this point, that's all you're looking for.

CP, thanks for the info.

I am looking to duplicate a factory load since I have to shoot new licensed manufactured ammo in a distinguished match. I dont have the $$$ to practice with new ammo. I want my reloads to match factory specs and I will zero my gun with that.

my old Lyman #46 says the following

158 lead, *4.9 grains 231 (MAX) 906 FPS 16,800 CUP
*this was marked potenially most accurate load

158 lead, ++(+P) 4.5 grains Bullseye (MAX) 931 FPS 18,200 CUP
++this was marked factory velocity duplication load

that was out of a 4" universal receiver

I have my distinguished 6" revovler now, so I will try it on 6"...if I ever get the time! I was going to try this afternoon and a heavy rain storm hit.

I need to invest in a nice low buck chrony.

 

[SW CQB 45]

I finally tested my rounds (4.4 of 231 behind an old Laser Cast 158 LSWC)

firing these rounds had a more definite snap of recoil compared to a new box of MagTech 158 Lead RN that someone gave me. I recall firing factory new Remington 158 lead RN and it I think the Remmy's had more snap than my 4.4 of 231.

I would get a decent group of 3 shots then a flyer to the left or right. I think it was my follow though from a braced shooting position at 25 yds and the front sight was not clear. I did not sandbag.

I could not achieve decent accuracy and I am not blaming the rounds. I was in a hurry to sight in other guns for a practice match and did not give these rounds the attention they deserved. I also could not get a clear front sight. the sun was behind me and I was shooting in the shade but my focus was on other guns.

I tried them in my new to me 15-5 and 14-5 and the trigger pull on both did not lend themselves to accuracy compared to my worn out smooth pulling M65.

I plan to load again and I had the similiar accuracy with the MagTec rounds so it was me and not the rounds or load.

I fired a box of Mag Tech using my M65 and shot horribly in a practice duty match a few days ago. I smoked my front serrated ramped sight and the front sight blended with the black B27 target and it being a cloudy day....I had trouble seeing my front sight.

my shots drifted high, left or right. I shot my PPC gun and the patridge sight was much easier to see in cloudy skys. I should have rubbed the soot off my M65 front sight so to have a clearer view of my front sight. I can recall twisting the gun looking for my front sight and it was there the entire time. urgggggggh! my brain told me not to squeeze, and then had to make up time by shooting sloppy.

 

[H Richard]

I load a 158 gr cast RNFP from Stonewall, and the load in the (OLD) Lyman cast bullet handbook indicates 4.9 gr. 231 was most accurate load. I chronographed it in my 6" 686 and it was a very consistent 906 fps, with a SD of 17.97 and shot into 2" at 25 yards from a sandbag rest.

 

[DGNY]

.38 Special

Thanks to the OP and others who have contributed to this thread. Very informative.

I like the .38 Special very well. Used to dwell on .44 Mag... The 38 is fun and historic. And useful.

Regards,

Dyson

 

[mososodbob]

Anyone with input as to ideal seating/crimping for target loads.

I'm using the Laser Cast/Oregon Trail 158 SWC bullets (look like a Kieth style). This is for the NRA Distingush Revolver (DR) matches.

Seems 3.5 to 3.6 grs of Bullseye is what many are using to push a 158 LSWC. My first try at making a DR load was not that good. I used 3.0 gr of BE and seated and rolled crimped at the crimping grove (traditional location). I read in another thread a shooter seat to the first band and uses no crimp.

Thoughts?

 

[SW CQB 45]

Anyone with input as to ideal seating/crimping for target loads.

I'm using the Laser Cast/Oregon Trail 158 SWC bullets (look like a Kieth style). This is for the NRA Distingush Revolver (DR) matches.

Seems 3.5 to 3.6 grs of Bullseye is what many are using to push a 158 LSWC. My first try at making a DR load was not that good. I used 3.0 gr of BE and seated and rolled crimped at the crimping grove (traditional location). I read in another thread a shooter seat to the first band and uses no crimp.

Thoughts?

can you define "was not that good"?

You will need some crimp to close any belling of the case mouth. Then will you lose any consistency by not having some type of uniform crimp.

BE is a faster burning powder so heavy slug crimp is not necessary as with slow burning powders.

Also, is this just for practice? doesnt NRA DR require the use of factory manufactured ammo?

 

[davekp]

The NRA changed the rule to allow any "safe" loads. So what would be good? I'd like to use Winchester Super Target.

 

[mososodbob]

can you define "was not that good"?

You will need some crimp to close any belling of the case mouth. Then will you lose any consistency by not having some type of uniform crimp.

BE is a faster burning powder so heavy slug crimp is not necessary as with slow burning powders.

Also, is this just for practice? doesnt NRA DR require the use of factory manufactured ammo?

Hi,

Not good means it will not hold nine ring at 25 yds. This is with my 686 and Mod 15. Same guns with 148 HBWC loads will shoot one ragged hole inside the 10/X. When it won't group at 25, I didn't even brother shooting at 50. "good enough" is when it shoots 9's and Ten's at 50.

I went with 3.0 gr BE based on a recommendation of a cowboy action shooter for his .38 SPLs. We have a different accuracy standard for BE.

NRA changed ammo rule last year to any safe ammo...158 SWC or RN.

Bob

 

[SW CQB 45]

I loaded 3.1 of Bullseye behind a 158SWC and those puppys were accurate out of my 4" 65 at 25 yds (no barricade).

I want to back down just a tad and may try 2.9 or 3.0 of BE.

 

[SW CQB 45]

The NRA changed the rule to allow any "safe" loads. So what would be good? I'd like to use Winchester Super Target.

davekp...do you have a link to that rule change on ammo?

I am unaware of any ammo change.

 

[davekp]

davekp...do you have a link to that rule change on ammo?

I am unaware of any ammo change.

Rule 3.1.4(e) in the NRA rule book, revised Jan 2010. Go to the NRA website.

 

[Wayne Dobbs]

Reloaded ammo is allowed for all guns/classes EXCEPT Distinguished. That still requires factory ammo. See this:

http://www.nrahq.org/compete/rules/rul_police_10.pdf

 

[SW CQB 45]

Reloaded ammo is allowed for all guns/classes EXCEPT Distinguished. That still requires factory ammo. See this:

http://www.nrahq.org/compete/rules/rul_police_10.pdf

thanks for the link.

 

[Wayne Dobbs]

Mike,

Check your PMs.

 

[davekp]

Reloaded ammo is allowed for all guns/classes EXCEPT Distinguished. That still requires factory ammo. See this:

http://www.nrahq.org/compete/rules/rul_police_10.pdf

I was thinking the civilian DR program, as fired at the nationals at Camp Perry (which allows reloads), not the Police DR.
Confusing because both are called Distinguished Revolver.