.38 special 158grn swc loads

[Derek.38]

Hi all, this is my first post so sorry if this thread has been done before. I was just curious what kind of powder and what range of charges everybody else is useing. I'm currently using 3.7 grns of unique I'm my mod 10-10. Thank you in advance

 

[TSQUARED]

I tend to shoot light 38 Special loads using Trail Boss powder. My powder puff load is 2.8 gr. Trail Boss, FSP and 158 gr. LRN bullet - accurate and very mild recoil.

 

[Cpt. Obvious]

3.2 gr bullseye was pretty nice out of my 19, 681 and pre-14.

Got some clays the other day, and i've got some loaded up and ready w/ 2.9 grains.

all using a 158 SWC

ETA: Welcome to the forums!

 

[lebomm]

I get very good results with 4.5-5.0 gr Unique under a WW 358446 (Thompson SWC PB). M10, M64, M13, Colt OP.

Larry

 

[Derek.38]

Thanks for the replys and the welcome I'm currently very new to reloading and thought this would be a good place to learn from people more knowledgeable then myself and capt please let me know how the clays works out I bought some at our last gun show and haven't had time to load any up. And is bullseye any cleaner than unique I get good accuracy but would like to find something that won't turn my hands black after thanks again to all of u I see I made a very good choice joining this forum

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I've found W231 powder works well for me, certainly cleaner than BE. With 158 gr swc cast I use 3.8 grains, with Hornady swaged bullets 3.5 to 3.7. You also may want to consider Hornadys 158 gr LRN with that same powder and loads. Got this (bullet recommendation) from Chief38 and it shoots well with virtually no leading. Powder Valley has good prices on Hornady, USPO shipping and fast service.

 

[johnfly45]

I like Bullseye better than Unique in light loads, and use a lot of it in 38 special. You will probably find Unique to burn more completely and cleaner in heavier loadings than what you cite -- at low pressures, it can be quite dirty and leave unburned flakes.

 

[JoeHatley]

For light target loads I use 3.5 grains Bullseye and a 158 grain plated flat point bullet.

Nice clean load that has been accurate in any gun I've tried it in.

 

[ckprax]

For powderpuff loads I have been using 3.4 grains of W231. 4 grains is a nice light target load that is very accurate in my guns. I am using Hornady 158grn SWCHPs.

 

[BW64]

3.0 of 700x or 3.0 of Titegroup with 158 swc make nice powder puff loads in my 64-5!!


BW

 

[Smith357]

I use 3.2 grains of Bullseye under a 158 SWC.

 

[gwpercle]

Derek.38
Unique is not at its best in light loads, it needs a certian amount of pressure to burn clean and get its best accuracy. I tried for years to work up a light load with Unique but its not going to happen. I got best accuracy with 5.0 grs. and 158 gr. cast bullet. I broke down and bought some Bullseye and this is just the ticket for target loads 2.7 grs to 3.0 grs can't be beat. The 5.0 grs of Unique is not a light load but a standard velocity load for 38 spcl. I have no idea how many I've shot out of my guns but it does not seem to have hurt them any. Bump up your charge to 4.5 to 4.8 grs of unique and see how that works......gary

 

[rsegars]

I like Bullseye.It meters very uniformly. I only shoot 158gr bullets in all my revolvers, only have S&W.Have shot lead round nose and lswc. I load for revolvers and 45. I never trust memory!, always go back to my load data each time.

 

[Black_Sheep]

My default 158 LSWC .38 load is 4.0 grains of W-231. IMHO it provides reasonable accuracy with modest recoil...

 

[walnutred]

In my 10-6 3.5 gns of Bullseye under a 158gn bullet shoots very well and to point of aim.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

158's with Lead SWC's?

4.2 grns Trailboss for D frame colts, 5.0 grns of Unique for most 38's 5.5 grns of unique for light 38/44's

 

[Zackary]

I use 4.2 grains of HP-38 with 158 grn. LSWC, ( 38 Match - Missouri Bullet Company). Great target load for my 10-5 pencil barrel, 15-4, and my Ruger Speed Six.

 

[Az Rick]

I'm with the HP 38/ 231 Guys,...4grs.

Rick

 

[MDMarauder]

5.0grs of Unique and 4.0grs of HP38 work very well for me.

 

[Derek.38]

Thanks to all of you looks like I need to increase the charge for unique or go try and find some bullseye its hard to find any powder around here unless you want to drive 30-45 minutes for it