I use the Missouri 145 gr. bullets with Unique powder. Also tried some bullets from Oregon, don't remember the company, or load data, but just tried them out a couple days ago, and at ten yards shot 4 inches low. Have to figure that one out.
.38 S&W load data
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Safety is why I am now looking at black powder loads.
Also, I thought it would be interesting to shoot using full period loads rather than the popgun load commercial stuff. But I have an ulterior motive for working on a “hot” load, if necessary it would be nice to have a defensive load, I have one for everything I shoot, even the cap and balls, it’s just how my mind works. If I HAD to than… that kind of thinking. (FYI my “defensive” cap and ball load is 30 grains of 4f swiss under a .44 conical, pretty much as hot as it is physically possible to load an 1858 Remington)
Black powder or smokeless, a load can be safe or dangerous. Black powder is not inherently safer than smokeless, nor the other way around. I have an old black powder German Model 1883, and I have never fired a single black powder load in it; only smokeless.
I wouldn't consider using this or any of my cap-and-ball revolvers for self-defense, I would use a modern handgun, preferably a 9mm autoloader.
I wouldn't consider using this or any of my cap-and-ball revolvers for self-defense, I would use a modern handgun, preferably a 9mm autoloader.
Like Raljr1 I seem to buck the trend by loading lighter bullets in 38 S&W. Years ago I found a homemade bullet mold that throws a 126gn SWC at .360 diameter. I think someone was trying to make a bullet for 9x19 and made it too large. 3 gns of Bullseye shoots to POA in my Webley. Yeah, the Webley is technically a top break and this is a solid frame load, but not all top breaks are made the same.
DWalt
Member
My more or less standard .38 S&W load uses a 125 grain .358 lead bullet, truncated cone, and 3.0 grains of Bullseye or similar. Safe to shoot in top breaks. It shoots fairly close to POA.
