Bullseye Load Data Please

sjs · Dec 9, 2016

I am trying to load 38 Special, light to moderate loads, with both 125 gr and 158 gr Berry's plated flat nose bullets. Berry says to use lead bullet data.

I have data for my HP38 but just bought my first pound of Bullseye and my manuals don't have data for it. On line I found a 4.5gr load for 125gr jacketed bullets and a 3.5 gr load for 158 gr jacketed but nothing for lead bullets, and those are specific loads, not the range of min to max.

I would be grateful if someone knows the min and max for Bullseye for 125gr lead and 158 gr lead. Thanks.

29aholic · Dec 9, 2016

Go on Hodgdon's website they should have a load for you.

Milton · Dec 9, 2016

Can't help with the 125 grainers but I shoot 158 grain cast and plated bullets in my model 67 with 3.5 grains of Bullseye.You can go some higher but I find this load to be very accurate.Hope this helps.

deanodog · Dec 9, 2016

Speer manual no. 10 gives for a 158 gr lead as min.3.8 gr. and max. 4.2gr. but does not have a 125 lead listing.

Jingles · Dec 9, 2016

I shoot 158gr LSWC with 3.0 gr Bullsey for a med/light, accurate round.

You might want to double-check your info as my manuals list the 4.5gr Bullseye load you mention as being max load for .357 mag.

My Lyman manual says:

121 gr cast (closest to 125gr) 2.0 Bullseye min to 3.8 max
158 gr cast 2.0 Bullseye min to 3.5 max

You mention wanting light to moderate loads; I'd start around 3.0 gr Bullseye and adjust from there. My favorite load is 148 gr wadcutter with 2.8gr Bullseye. I swear I can almost see the bullet travel down range.

sjs · Dec 9, 2016

Thanks guys, I know where to start now.

PPCSHOOTER · Dec 9, 2016

2.8 GR WORKS GOOD FOR THE COWBOYS GUYS AROUND HERE. JP

NC Bob · Dec 9, 2016

29aholic said:
Go on Hodgdon's website they should have a load for you.

Hodgdon won't have data for Bullseye as it is an Alliant powder.

I have used 4.3 grains Bullseye with a Berrys or Xtreme 125 plated bullet with a light crimp. This is in .38 Special brass. Shoots
pretty good from my revolvers. This load is below the starting load for a 125 jacketed in Speer #14.

From what I understand there is a potential danger in loading plated bullets too light. They have more friction in the bore than lead bullets and too light of a load can cause them to stick in the bore. This is especially true if your revolver has a large B/C gap. I usually load plated handgun bullets closer to jacketed data than lead data. I stay away from magnum velocities and heavy crimps with plated.

As others have said- a good light load for .38 Special is 2.7-2.8 grains Bullseye with a Speer 148 grain lead hollow base wadcutter. Accurate and fun.

Good luck and be safe.

29aholic · Dec 9, 2016

I have also used Jacketed data for cast bullets when I couldn't find an exact cast load.

flyrobb · Dec 9, 2016

Extreme site says use mid range jacketed or high end lead data with plated.

Vortec MAX · Dec 9, 2016

I only shoot 125 grain bullets, so that is all I have tested. Non +P maximum charges vary considerably from manual to manual. The lowest max charge is 4.4 grains in Lyman's 49th to a high of 5.1 in Sierra's 5th.

+P max data also varies from 4.8 to 5.3 (in Hornady's 9th).

I have tried from 4.6 grains all the way to 5.3 under 125 grain pills from a 2" snubbie. I really like 4.8 grains as a good plinking and practice load. 4.8 grains was a more docile load than the Remington green box stuff, but had the exact same performance as the American Eagle stuff.

Mike

sjs · Dec 9, 2016

Mike, just to confirm, is that Bullseye you are talking about?

Steve

Vortec MAX · Dec 9, 2016

sjs said:
Mike, just to confirm, is that Bullseye you are talking about?

Steve

Yes sir... unless you are an enlisted man

rwsmith · Dec 9, 2016

Get a Lyman Cast book

Lyman sez 120 gr. lead = 2.8 to 4.6 grains Bullseye.

I'd go a little less than 4.6 max load because the listed bullet is 5 grains lighter than 125 gr. The 4.3 grains Bulleye that other people mention here sounds good. Funny, 4.6 grains sounds like a lot of Bullseye. I think I'd stick to the lower charges, too.

msauter · Dec 9, 2016

For .38 target loads with Bullseye
I stay in the 2.8 to 3.2 range - for lead I use the lower end, for plated I stay on the higher end.

johngalt · Dec 9, 2016

I shoot Hornady 158 gr swaged LSWC + 3.5 gr Bullseye and 148 gr HBWC + 2.8 gr Bullseye.

STCM(SW) · Dec 9, 2016

148 gr Lyman # II alloy WC I mold I use 2.8 gr of BE.
Right on with my M 14-2 or my M 15-2.
M 10's may have a different POI.

vanman1 · Dec 9, 2016

Check with Berry but I believe they say that speeds can be pushed to 1200fps.

cowboy4evr · Dec 9, 2016

My std load in a 38spl w/158gr cast bullet is 4.0 grs. of Bullseye powder . I tried less but always came back to the 4.0gr load . I started with older manuals yrs ago .

OldChief · Dec 9, 2016

A nice comfortable and accurate range load is 3.2 grains of Bullseye pushing a 158 grain Xtreme plated semi-wadcutter.

Bullseye Load Data Please

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