38 spc. load help

[Dakota Bones]

Hi guys. I went to a gun show and bought some bullets and when got home, I don’t have a load listing for them in the powder that I have. The bullet is a 146 gr. RN lead cast bullet, and all I have for pistol powder is blue dot. I will be shooting them out of a 686-1 in 357, would like to use the 357 case if I could. Just for target and getting to know the gun. Would appreciate a starting load or start point. Thanks.

[Dakota Bones]

Hi guys. I went to a gun show and bought some bullets and when got home, I don’t have a load listing for them in the powder that I have. The bullet is a 146 gr. RN lead cast bullet, and all I have for pistol powder is blue dot. I will be shooting them out of a 686-1 in 357, would like to use the 357 case if I could. Just for target and getting to know the gun. Would appreciate a starting load or start point. Thanks.

[walnutred]

IF it was me I'd pick up either some Bullseye, 231 or Unique for that bullet, but I'm partial to those powders.

If I HAD to use Blue Dot I'd start with an 8.0 gn load. I say this because the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 3rd edition, lists 8.2 gns of Blue Dot as the starting load for their 150 gn RNFP bullet when used in a 357 case. But that is just what I'd do, you have to make your own decisions. I have never used Blue Dot in my life so it's just an educated guess.

[NiklasP]

Looking at Alliant Reloaders' Guide, 2002 Edition, p. 35 I find the following loads with Blue Dot. Please verify via Alliant website before using.

.38 Spl. case, 148 grain lead WC, 5,3 grains Blue Dot, 810 fps, 13.600 psi
.38 Spl. case, 158 gr lead SWC, 6,1 grains, 955 fps, 15.600 psi
.38 Spl case +P, same bullet, 6,3 grains, 995 fps. 17.000 psi
.357 Mag case, same bullet, 10,3 grains, 1.490 fps, 33.800 psi (I would consider this max load and expect severe leading.)

I have used the two .38 Spl loads with 158 grain SWC bullets from Speer (soft alloy), as well as 7,0 grains of Blue Dot. All shot very well, giving small groups. Have not chronoed them. They were all distinctly louder than standard 148 grain HBWC loads but, were not especially loud.

Niklas

[OKFC05]

To be candid, you need another powder. Using very slow powders with light charges results in ****** reloads, dirty, high SD. The pressure needs to be high enough for efficient burning.
HP38/WIN231 is an excellent choice for lighter loads.

[Dakota Bones]

Thanks guys for wisdom and knowledge I have loaded rifle for my 308 but have no experience with pistol. Would get some different powder but what do I do with the Two pounds of Blue Dot that I have. Will have to do some more thinking, Thanks Again.

[OKFC05]

what do I do with the Two pounds of Blue Dot

Get some 158gr jacketed or hard cast and .357 cases and load them at least 90% of max, per a load chart....rock 'n roll!

[dwhite53]

Ditto what OKFC05 said.

Blue-Dot is a great powder for medium range 357 loads.

I've used BD in 38 Special loads with 158 grain bullets and was not happy. Lots of un-burned powder went out the barrel.

Something faster would give you much better results.

All the best,
D. White

[markmc]

I recently bought some Dardas 150 grain lswc.I used .38 special cases,remington primers and 3.1 grains of Tite-Group.Very accurate. Good practice load.
My Model 60 pro and 642 love the combination. My wife finds it comfortable with the wood grips on the 60 and the short grips on the 642.

[NiklasP]

Note that Dakota Bones does not give barrel length for his revolver. Mine has 5 inch barrel and there is not much unburned powder at all with 7,0 grains Blue Dot under 158 grain bullet.

IF barrel is only 2 inches, well, different situation.

I too have a bunch of Blue Dot, which is one of my favorite powders for full SAAMI spec loads in 44-40 and 45 Colt. Nice groups, no leading with soft enough, proper sized bullets, plenty of velocity, little unburned powder in 4,5-5,5 inch barrels. At least initially, I am seeing same results in 38 Special +P loads with 158 grain bullets.

Niklas

[Dakota Bones]

My 686 has a 6" barrel, My father gave it to me.
OK how about Hornady 140Gr. XTP, Win. case,CCI 550 primers and 12.4 gr Blue Dot. From Sierra 5th Ed.

[Paul5388]

I have about 8# of Blue Dot, but don't use it in any handgun loading.

It's an outstanding powder for reduced loads in rifles! Here's a 3 shot sample #1 son did with a M600 Rem 18 1/2" barrel at 100 yards.

[NiklasP]

Now that you have both bullets and Blue Dot, load up some and give it a try. Then you can judge for your self, based on your preferences and experience. I would suggest +P loads or higher, up to point that you are getting leading of forcing cone and first cm of bore.

Niklas