hello;

just to much conflicting data.

would like to load 150 rounds of 38spl using 3.0 gain of bullseye, using 125grain/140 grain/ 158 cast bullets. any problems using 3.0 grains of bulleye for all 3 bullets weights????

reloads will be used in s&w model 642, s&w model 13 and s&w model 19.

speed is not important, looking for low recoil and accuracy.

thanks for any input

thanks

"one size", never really fits all. It's just advertising hype. According to my Lyman manual:

3.0 gr of Bullseye is below minimum for some 125 gr cast bullet designs.
3.0 gr of Bullseye is at absolute minimum for some 140 gr cast bullets.
3.0 gr of Bullseye is .2 of a grain above minimum for some 158 gr cast bullets.

Bullet design is a major factor in load data/development. I wouldn't expect great accuracy from such a project. I'd suggest you purchase a quality loading manual and not read the data pages until you've read every other page in the book. Without understanding more about some of the variables in reloading, you're just guessing. The data seems conflicting because the dynamics of each load will change if you change even one component.

Check the loading manuals as already pointed out.
Data changes, powders change slightly, ect.
What was recommended years back might not apply not.
That's why they update those manuals.

Not that long ago, we used to load 2.5gr to 3.0gr BE for any cast bullet in 38special.
2.5 to 2.8 gr BE has been the 38special Bullseye shooters load for many decades under the 148gr LWC bullet.
Some shooters used an even 3.0 gr for their target load with the wadcutters.
Everyone had a favorite load,,and of course theirs was 'the' best one.

3.0 gr BE behind a 158gr cast SWC is an easy shooting load that's been loaded for just as long. Easy on the gun and the shooter. Good plinker load w/a little more recoil than the WC loads simply because of the heavier bullet.

I've never loaded 125 cast.
I did load some tiny little WC at one time. I think they were 77gr(?) each.
2.5grBE under those too. They were the same bullet that some used to stack 3 deep in a 357 case for a multi-bulleted round. I never got into that. One at a time was good for me. I think LEE made the mould for it.

3.5 gns of Bullseye is my standard cast load for 3a lot of stuff. In 38 Special I use that charge for 125gn SWC, 148 gn DEWC (NOT seated flush) and 158gn SWC. I also load 9x19 and 9x18cast bullets with that charge.

If you are looking for accuracy you will want to develop a load for each weight. 3 gr make make a noise in all three weights but that is about all. IME, recoil is as much dependent on bullet weight as powder charge.

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Front sight and squeeze

3.0 grains (Bullseye) was accurate in a J-frame that I used to have. However, it was such a low pressure load that it was quite dirty. I use 3.7 grains as a standard load today - it is much cleaner. As a side benefit, the 3.7 grain load is more accurate for me than the 3.0 grain load ever was.

I've loaded 148 gr. wadcutters with as little as 2.8 grains Bullseye. They were one-holers out of a S&W Model 52. My favorite load in 4" Model 10s is a 125 grain cast TFP and 4 grains Bullseye.

I load 3.2 grains Bullseye and seat a 158 grain cast RNFP out to an OAL of 1.51 in 38 Special brass to run in my wife's .357 Marlin levergun for CAS competition.

My most accurate load for PPC (the only load I use), is 2.3gr B.E. with HBWC's.
WAY below "book", but it is deadly accurate and I'm not the only one using this combo.
Some use 2.4gr of Titegroup, but B.E. works better for me.

Just to clarify for the OP :


"Normal" loads for wadcutters with Bullseye most often are below 3 grains. That is because WC's are almost always cast dead soft, of almost pure lead (especially the hollow-base WC's). So, they NEED a light load to work. Hotter loads, much above 3 grains (certainly in the region of 3.5 - 3.7 grains or more), will usually cause leading with the soft WC's.

I see know problem starting at 3 grs of Bullseye for your baseline info. I'd pay closer attention to the 125 gr and maybe shoot it out the 642 snub before the longer barrels. This is what reloading is all about, trying to find the lightest most accurate round. Bullseye is well known for a great low level lead powder. Just pay close attention the rounds being fired and if anything don't sound or feel right stop right there till you check it out. Be safe and have fun.

I have one 38 spcl snubby, a pre model 10, that shoots 1 foot groups at 7 yds with 3.0 Bullseye and 158 lswc. up it to 3,3 - 3.5 and it starts putting them as close together as the shooter can hold em. I usually run 3.5 Bullseye as my bulk recipe, seems to shoot better than I can hold in all 5 of my 38's, 2 stubbies, a 4in, 6in and an 8 3/8in.