.38 special 158grn swc loads

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite .38 Special load is a 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231. That load shoots well in every revolver I've shot it from.

 

[robctwo]

Clays works as well as bullseye and seems cleaner. It doesn't meter as well in my LnL, but is good enough. I shoot a lot of bullseye, but have been using more clays lately. I like the smell of burnt clays better as well. 3.0-3.4 with the 158 gr lswc.

 

[Bart 44]

3.3 to 3.5gr Bullseye with 158 cast SWC for me.

Dennis.

 

[setxn]

Put my old reloading set back in service recently. Used "new" Unique at 4.5 with 158 gr home cast SWC for starting load that would be kind to an old M36 no dash This load shot really well in all 5 revolvers we had. My next batch was at 5.0 gr Unique-shot good -slightly more recoil-accurate. Didn't shoot these in old M36-need more info on pressures.

 

[Ralph G. Briscoe]

My defense load is 4.7 gr Unique (I kinda like the smoke) with the speer or hornady LSWCHP. It generates 815 from a 2 inch barrel and is not too hard on my alloy Smiths or D frames, is very accurate in M15 and Trooper III, feeds nicely in my Marlin 94. I've loaded and shot a ton of these. I also came up with a light load to use getting my wife accustomed to the .38's--same 158 gr, and either 2.7 gr Trailboss or 3.5 gr Unique....both about 600 fs from a 2" and pleasant recoil....pretty close to POA of the other load. Enjoy.

 

[alwslate]

My favorite powder for 158 gr lead bullets in 38 spl loads was and is
W452AA. 3.3-3.5 grs. I still have two pounds left and I wish it was
still made. It's replacement WST at 3.3 grs makes a nice plinking
load and Titegroup at 3.5 grs is good for a bit more velocity.

 

[brucev]

Skeeter Skelton recommended a cast lead 158-160 gr. SWC bullet over 5.0 gr. of Unique in a .38 Special case as a very useful full-power service level load. I've been using it for at least 25 years with complete success in all manner of .38 Special and .357 Mag. revolvers. HTH. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[Mphstiger1981]

Thanks!

As a new reloader I have no 158 gr SWC recipe to share with the OP, but I have really enjoyed reading these posts and just wanted to say "thanks" to all who have shared their information in this thread. I just picked up some of these bullets from my LGS this morning and was going to load some this evening, so this was great timing!

 

[GyMac]

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

Me, too, but with HP-38 (same as W-231).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

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

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

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

My favorite .38 Special load is a 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231. That load shoots well in every revolver I've shot it from.

Me, too, but with HP-38 (same as W-231).

Wow, that is a lot of use using the same load! We all can't be wrong and I'm glad to see so many of us on the forum agree. That is a great load alright!

 

[Nick B]

Good info in this thread .

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have loaded many thousands of .38 Special with 150-grain cast semi-wadcutter, standard primer, and 3.0 grains Bullseye. Perfectly good load for routine practice in J-frame, K-frame, L-frame, and N-frame .38's and .357's. Also does a good job on cottontails, snowshoe hares, grouse, and ptarmigans.

 

[hawgleg]

I can't seem to make enough 158 LSWC with 3.3 grains of bullseye. I try to keep about 500 made up, but everytime I turn around there gone.

 

[bronco45]

My standard 38 practice/general use load is 4.5grains Unique and 158grain LSWC. Shoots in my old Colts and all my Smiths like it. Been playing with a Model 10-5 4" pencil bbl and it loves this load. I've always been a snob when it came to Model 10s, but this load in the above mentioned 10-5 is a hoot. Unique is dirty but when the powder shortage went down a coupla years ago I bought an 8 lb keg. My 44 Spl and 45ACP like Unique also.

Order some commercial cast bullets they are cleaner and nicer to work with and shoot just as well as swaged bullets, usually cheaper.

 

[lmcgust]

I agree with BW64, 3.0 Titegroup with 158gr. Very popular in our PPC league. But you can't go wrong with 231 or Bulleye, I would use them if I did not have access to 8 LBS keg of TG at a good price I use 158gr bullets from PD.

Regards,
Guy-

 

[bananaman]

Derek, Welcome to the Forum! I mostly use 3-3.2 gr. Clays, w/158 gr.LSWC bullet. Clean load, low recoil. My loads do magic! (they disappear) For good info, on handloads etc. try handloads.com Bob

 

[Daimler1989]

Hi,
I have two different loads with SWC bullets, both with VV powders. For an easy to shoot plinking load I use 4.0 grs N320 with a 158 SWC plated bullet, for a full service load I use 5.2 grs N340 with the same bullet. Both deliver match grade accuracy out of my 27-3 4".

regards
Ulrich

 

[Lenny_D]

My plinking load is 4.5 grains of unique behind a 158 grain SWC. My buisness load is 5.0 grains unique behaind a 158 grain LHPSWC. I believe I read somewhere that the old FBI load would be duplicated by 5.4 grains of unique behind a 158 grain LHPSWC. I would advise you to work up to these loads while looking for signs of high pressure. I don't mind powder residue all over the gun and my hands. It makes me feel like I've been shootin.

 

[terrier]

I cast my own 160gr wfn and shoot a standard load of 5.0gr Unique. Use it in my Blackhawk and my 637 and wifes LCR, stiff but comfortable. I trust it for anything where we hike.

 

[mtgianni]

Outside of the Unique and BE loads listed I shoot 4 gr of AA2 with 150-160 gr WC or SWC.