.38 Special Loads for Model 14 Target Masterpiece

[scotchblade]

Next week I will be picking up a beautiful Model 14-4. This will be my first dedicated .38 Special revolver. Oh wait! My second. My first is a Model 36 with 3" barrel.

Anyway, I'm wondering if there anything I should know about loading for the Model 14 to optimize it's performance? I realize it can only shoot as well as I can, but maybe there is a tip or two that can help me. Or maybe not. I tend to overthink things.

Powders on hand are Unique, Bullseye, CFE, Clays, Trail Boss, a couple others. I have 158 grain bullets cast (Missouri), jacketed and plated (X-treme).

Thank you kindly.

 

[colt_saa]

Load up some soft swagged HBWCs and you will be amazed at the groups

Use 2.8 of Bullseye

 

[GypsmJim]

I used to shoot 148 Wadcutters for target performance, but a few years ago I tried some 158 SWC with Bullseye and found it to be a better choice for my 14. Mid range loads.

The 158's also work outstanding in my 3" 36, but the best accuracy there came with IMR 4227.

 

[LAH]

With your Missouri 158 cast you should find happiness between 3 & 3.5 grains of Bullseye.

 

[varmint243]

I never had particularly good luck with commercial cast for pure accuracy.
Stay away from bevel base for best accuracy.
Try the 148 HBWC w/ BE or a 148 Full WC with a flat base.
A flat base 150gr SWC also works for me.
I shoot my 14's at 40 or 50 yards.
To get the quality I want I cast my own.

 

[STCM(SW)]

Load up some soft swagged HBWCs and you will be amazed at the groups

Use 2.8 of Bullseye

Same here but now I cast a 148 gr WC with Lyman II alloy.
Too hard to find the HBWC around here now.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have a little bitty M49 snub nose that likes a 158gr lead bullet pushed along with some Trail Boss.

It would be interesting what another 2 1/8 " of barrel would do to improve the accuracy, with a M14-4 ??

Good luck.

 

[Super Dave]

Nice Ed. What the distance on that target?
Dave

 

[johngalt]

Hornady HBWC plus 2.8 gr Bullseye is excellent. Hornady swaged 158 gr is also good, but I prefer the HBWC.

Cast bullets have never been as accurate for me as swaged. The cast bullets I've used we're probably too hard, the work much better in .357 with full charges of 2400.

 

[Green Frog]

This question is like saying, "I bought two pounds of hamburger, what is the best dish to make with it?" Truth to tell, it would be hard to find a bad answer for it, with the best answer depending on your taste. I personally like swaged hollow base wadcutters over mild loads of HP-38, W-231 or even 700-X. But I also like SWCs and have used a lot of Green Dot and of course Bullseye. Open your cookbook and choose the first recipe that strikes your fancy... it's hard to get a bad one!

Froggie

 

[elpac3]

I have shot 3.0 of BE with 158 gr SWC for indoor 50' stuff for years with no issues. Another thing you may want to consider would be to go to a 148gr SWC for longer distance (50 yard) shooting. You can use less powder, put less lead on the range and have mild recoil with faster recovery times and better 50 yard accuaracy. I have been shooting Rim Rock, 148 SWC with great success over 2.8 of BE and have been very pleased with the results. This has become my "go to" load for 50 yard PPC shooting.

If you stick with HBWC, the classis 2.8 BE will do you well. If you shoot a cast 148 WC, I have found a moderate roll crimp with 2.8 BE provided better accuracy in the revolver than flush seated with a taper crimp.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Dave;

That was a target at only 5 yards..............
when all the stars lined up and I got real lucky.

Just testing a few loads over the chrony with the
sun at my back.

The new range has me shooting into the sun and my
results are not as good. The front sight seems to wander
with the refection of the light...... or lets face it.........
I'm getting older.

 

[scotchblade]

Thank you all or taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. I will follow up with a report and some pictures in a couple of weeks.

Cheers

 

[MOJO JOE]

Here's what some of the PPC shooters are running in Michigan using remington 148 GR HBWC, 2.7 GR WST or 3.1 GR 231, with a light crimp you should get groups under 2" at 50 yards,

 

[ggibson511960]

148 Gr HBWC 2.8 gr Bullseye

S&W should engrave this on the frame of M-14's, sort of like the Brit proof houses used to do on big bore double rifles. It has been the semi-standard NRA bullseye load for decades. What downside is there in a recipe that yields 2,500 rounds from a pound of $30 BE?

 

[shil]

............. if I could only find some Bullseye to buy.

 

[ggibson511960]

It's On The Way.

............. if I could only find some Bullseye to buy.

Bullseye was sporadically available here in Tx when there was no W-231/HP-38, Unique, PP and other stuff generally burned in mass quantities in 9mm/40S&W/45ACP shooting action targets, i.e. guys shooting lots of rounds per week. Now that W-231 etc. are trickling back into the supply chain the pressure is easing on BE. My LGS didn't always have BE, but they got it in often enough to keep us from starving. BE has been my fall-back for a couple of years for fun plinking with a 148 gr HBWC's instead of rhino roller loads in an autopistol. Many dealers have explained to me how shortages of some stuff have pushed demand into other areas. .22 LR is a good example. Powder, ammunition and bullet shortages drove folks to .22's that were cheaper for a while till a few million new shooters began burning .22's in faux assault rifles. Then .22's got scarce and prices climbed. Now .22 ammo is reappearing. I know a small LGS that has a pallet of Aguila .22 ammo they can't seem to move. It all goes around.

 

[Super Dave]

Dave;

The front sight seems to wander
with the refection of the light...... or lets face it.........
I'm getting older.

l hear ya. The red dots are hard to beat for aging eyes and especially accuracy testing.
Dave

 

[ironhead7544]

Had to qualify with a 38 Special revolver for many years. Used the Winchester recommended load of 231 with a 158 gr lead SWC. Matched the 158 gr standard lead load for POI and velocity. Easily shot 10 ring groups on the 25 yard Timed and Rapid fire target from a rest.