.38 special 158 gr service load

[SW CQB 45]

can anyone get close to that load with 231 or Bullseye and a 158 laser cast?

need to shoot a 50 yd match with this load but it has to be equivalent to the old service load.

I dont have a clue what the FPS was or I could make a guess off of my reloading manuals.

thanks in advance

 

[mikelain]

My lyman load book from 1969 States the factory duplicate with a 158 gr LRN is 3.5 gr bulleseye. About 810 FPS. I hope that helps. I just loaded and shot some the other day no problems.

 

[kle]

Hmm...maybe I've been going the wrong way with my 158gr loads--I just assembled some at 3.2gr W231 tonight after 3.8gr, 3.7gr, 3.6gr, 3.5gr, and 3.4gr had barely any accuracy at 50 yards.

I oughtta try 4.0gr of W231 (which should be roughly equivalent to 3.5gr Bullseye) and see how that goes...

 

[RON in PA]

4.5 grains of 231 with a 158 grain lead bullet should give you a load very close to a standard velocity load. Go up to 4.7 and you are in +P territory.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I loan 4.5grs. of 231 under Berry's 125gr.plated bullet. I shoot at an indoor range thats 25yds. and I can keep them in a 5 inch circle. But I know thats not 50yds.Don

 

[Skip Sackett]

3.5gr of Bullseye under my own 160gr LSWC has been a staple for all of my 38spl. Right at 800fps out of a 6" barrel.

FWIW

Hey, CQ, have you tried those other bullets yet?

 

[SW CQB 45]

thanks for the info all.

I appreciate it.

Smith Crazy, its been crazy at my house. The wife decided to remodel the house at the start of my shooting season.

I have no real practice down and while my revovler skills stayed up, my semi auto X ring went into the 9s and 8s

I have your rounds on my table, but have not had a chance to load yet.

I will let you know when I do. thanks

 

[kle]

Well, I tried my batch of 3.2gr W231 under 158gr LSWC bullets, and it seemed to go a lot better: when I do my part, I can hold the aiming black of a B-8 target at 25 yards, although my 50 yard scores are still abysmal--it's probably me more than anything.

I still might try the hot loads, just for grins, but I think I'm zeroing in on a decent load with these bullets.

 

[H Richard]

I would chrono that 3.2 gr. load and if you have to make a power factor or velocity range, I don't think it will make a factory equivalent. My Lyman Cast bullet handbook, (old), lists 4.9 gr 231 behind a 158 gr. LRN as top standard velocity load at 906 fps. I find it the most accurate load in my 6" 686 and it does shoot at an average of 906 fps. With Stonewall cast bullets I can get 1 1/2" at 25 yds.

 

[SW CQB 45]

Originally posted by H Richard:
I would chrono that 3.2 gr. load and if you have to make a power factor or velocity range, I don't think it will make a factory equivalent. My Lyman Cast bullet handbook, (old), lists 4.9 gr 231 behind a 158 gr. LRN as top standard velocity load at 906 fps. I find it the most accurate load in my 6" 686 and it does shoot at an average of 906 fps. With Stonewall cast bullets I can get 1 1/2" at 25 yds.

at that speed, how is clean up on your barrel, forcing cone and bullet end of the cylinder?

 

[kle]

Originally posted by SW CQB 45:

Originally posted by H Richard:
I would chrono that 3.2 gr. load and if you have to make a power factor or velocity range, I don't think it will make a factory equivalent. My Lyman Cast bullet handbook, (old), lists 4.9 gr 231 behind a 158 gr. LRN as top standard velocity load at 906 fps. I find it the most accurate load in my 6" 686 and it does shoot at an average of 906 fps. With Stonewall cast bullets I can get 1 1/2" at 25 yds.

at that speed, how is clean up on your barrel, forcing cone and bullet end of the cylinder?

and would a harder bullet help with that? I'm shooting some Missouri Bullet Co. 158gr LSWCs, with a Brinell Hardness of "12". I assume a harder bullet (Missouri Bullet Co. also has a 158gr LSWC with a BH of "18") would do better to counter leading at higher velocities...

 

[max]

4.5 pf 231 and a cast swc is my standard load. It should be pretty close to factory.