Thinking of sticking to one loading...........

AJ

AJ

US Veteran
Joined
Apr 30, 2003
Messages
11,953
Reaction score
28,520
Location
East of Stick Marsh, Fla.
Since it is difficult to replace used supplies at this time. And coupled with the fact I like to shoot on a regular basis, I, am, thinking of sticking with one loading for the time being. For .38 Special, I am thinking of using 2.8 grains of Bullseye and a 148 grain either DEWC or a HBWC. This would work in my S&W 52, Victory Model, Pre-14 and my 27-2. Have a bunch of Bullseye and that would give me a bunch of rounds, hopefully enough to last out this rough spot in the road.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
That load is great! But if you use a "Hot" primer, reduce the powder charge by 2/10's of a grain! My F-I-L used Alcan primers in his loads and the keep the velocity down, needed the reduction. It worked well, he won 2 National Championships.

With all the talk of primer substitutions these days, I thought I would mention this.

Ivan
 
Ivan the Butcher said:
That load is great! But if you use a "Hot" primer, reduce the powder charge by 2/10's of a grain! My F-I-L used Alcan primers in his loads and the keep the velocity down, needed the reduction. It worked well, he won 2 National Championships.

With all the talk of primer substitutions these days, I thought I would mention this.

Ivan
Click to expand...

Good idea Ivan, but don't have any on hand. Unless I get extremely lucky, I will not be buying any primers anytime soon. Also no need to buy any primers.
 
Nothing wrong with the old 148 gr bullet for the 38 special.

If you run out, you can always start with the next size bullet weight that you have the most of, until this mess gets cleared up.
 
2.7 grs. or 2.8 grs. of Bullseye may be often recommended, but may not be best for every gun and may not even be a good compromise load for several. I'd load up enough rounds to fire groups in all my guns and start at 2.5 grs. As an example, in my 52, 2.5 grs. is noticeably more accurate than heavier charges, but this will often vary from gun to gun. It's worth the time and effort to find the most accurate load.
 
has anyone soften old brass with a torch? anealing ?
 
A torch is too hot. You risk melting the brass.
I heat up a rod to bright red a put it in the mouth of the cartridge.
Quench in water immediately.
Brass unlike steel anneals by quenching
 
vinn said:
has anyone soften old brass with a torch? anealing ?
Click to expand...

I do anneal with a butane small tank but only my rifle brass.6 seconds while rolling the brass between my fingers then drop it in a 5gal pail half filled with water does the job Good for 4 or 5 loadings then needs to be redone.
Using a torch is probably too hot;you won't be able to roll the brass quick enough so as not to ruin the brass...and burn your fingers.
 
Good accuracy recipe there. I shoot almost exclusively with Magnum rated primers with out any signs of wear issues compared to standard primers in loads this mild. Been doing it for decades.
Relax and enjoy!
 
I use a propane torch connected to a 20# tank. Heating takes 6 - 8 seconds depending on caliber. When tumbled / clean brass changes color from brass to 'straw', the flame color changes to yellow. At that point the brass is annealed.

I have heated brass necks to a red glow -- case neck tension does hold the bullet and the case is very easy to resize. Did this to five 30-06 cases with 80% powder charge with 165 gr bullet. Still under an 1-1/2" at 100 yards. Fired cases resized without a problem.

Annealing brass is easy and does not require a water quench to prevent case neck cracks. Just be brave and try it your self.
 
Jaco1234 said:
Brass unlike steel anneals by quenching
Click to expand...

Why is that? Even lead hardens by quenching.

Doesn't anyone with a Dillon Progressive pretty much stick with one loading? I know I do. I might tweak the powder charge, but everything else stays the same. For me, my 38 Special load is a Lee WC and 3.5 to 5 grains of Unique.
 
Last edited:
max503 said:
Why is that? Even lead hardens by quenching.

Doesn't anyone with a Dillon Progressive pretty much stick with one loading? I know I do. I might tweak the powder charge, but everything else stays the same. For me, my 38 Special load is a Lee WC and 3.5 to 5 grains of Unique.
Click to expand...

That is one of the reasons that I got rid of my Dillon.
 
Once I find an accurate load, I never experiment....

I will admit that I'm happy with mediocrity in almost everything I attempt. It just makes life a tad easier for me.

IMHO of course,
J.
 
I’ve been using the same load, bullet or powder for multiple loads for years. I do that to limit the variety of components needed to support my habit. For example I use my 200 gr cowboy rnfp bullets in my .45acp ammo and use shotgun powder in 12 ga and pistol/revolver reloads.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
Reloading Coated/Plated Bullets for a Model 52-2
2
Replies
34
Views
3K
rockquarry
R
AJ
RCBS Chargemaster Vs Other Forms of Powder Measuring.
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
Yendor357
Y
AJ
PPC Loadings?
2
Replies
24
Views
2K
Forrest r
F
R
.38 wadcutter load
3 4 5
Replies
89
Views
6K
johngalt
johngalt
AJ
4 inch vs 6 inch .38 Special
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
TexasViking
TexasViking

Latest posts

Back
Top