Favorite loads for 38 S&W

jsfricks · #1 02-19-2014, 05:57 PM

I have a 1949 S&W Terrier coming in next week so I went online and ordered a set of Lee dies, Missouri cast .361 145 gr RN bullets and a couple of boxes of Starline brass. I wanted to find out your favorite loads for these for target shooting. The powders I have on hand are 231, Red dot, and IMR 800x. I realize that one or two of these powders might not be appropriate. Thanks for any help!
Jeff

scha · #2 02-19-2014, 06:57 PM

Speer Reloading Manual #9 shows loads for a 158 grain SWC lead bullet (.358) with Red Dot of 2.4 grains for a velocity of 667 and max load of 2.7 grains for a velocity of 765. I have no experience with this load as I used Bullseye years ago when I had a 38 S&W revolver.

Hope this helps.

Steve

bmcgilvray · #3 02-19-2014, 07:27 PM

I will offer this thread put up last year.
Cartridge Discussion: .38 S&W, Ghost From Bygone Times

jsfricks · #4 02-20-2014, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmcgilvray

I will offer this thread put up last year.
Cartridge Discussion: .38 S&W, Ghost From Bygone Times

Thanks for that. Didn't come up on my search.

ArchAngelCD · #5 02-20-2014, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsfricks

The powders I have on hand are 231, Red dot, and IMR 800x. I realize that one or two of these powders might not be appropriate. Thanks for any help!
Jeff

Two of those three powders are just fine for the .38 S&W. Red Dot and W231 are good powders for what you want to load. I use W231 for most of my 38 S&W ammo. I usually load a 160gr or a 200gr bullet when I load so I don't have load data for a 145gr bullet but the Hodgdon Load Data site does with W231.