.38 special 158grn swc loads

[gscrasher]

I'm a little surprised. Usually in the "what loads are you folks using?" threads several people respond with "buy a good reloading manual". So far in 40 responses, no one has recommended that.

It still seems like a good idea.

 

[hueycrew]

Do any of the posters using 4g W231 have chrono data with the 158g lead bullet? I'll be shooting a 686 chambered in 38 spcl 6" barrel. I'd like to use N320 but its pricey and I already have 8 lbs of W231.

 

[steamloco76]

I've shot thousands of rounds loaded with a 158 cast SWC and 4.5 Gr. Unique. For a just under +P load 5.0 of Unique is great. I use Bullseye for the 148 grain wadcutters 3-3.2 grains. TightGroup burns very hot and has caused leading issue with any cast bullets, so I use it with plated or jacketed only.

 

[novalty]

I just loaded up a starter load for my father to try in his S&W 686:
4.0gr of Unique with 158gr cast LSWC, using Remington 38 +P nickle cases, and CCI#500 primers.

 

[alwslate]

Do any of the posters using 4g W231 have chrono data with the 158g lead bullet? I'll be shooting a 686 chambered in 38 spcl 6" barrel. I'd like to use N320 but its pricey and I already have 8 lbs of W231.

4.0 grs 231 under a 158 gr SWC chronographs an even 800 fps
in my S&W md 10-5 with 4" barrel.

 

[5906fan]

welcome to the Forum. good page to ask a que here so many shoot .38s.
my favorite is Red Dot for target loads. a flake powder usually burns cleaner and less flash than a grain powder my loads are around medium power. RDot is a peaky powder so watch overloads. can't recollect grain charge I use.
if you have any RDot to try get an Alliant data book or go online for info.

 

[brian_a_mcmillen]

My dad shot competitively in the 60's, 70's and 80's and loaded the 158 grain HBWC (hollow base wad cutter) using 2.7 grains of bullseye. I now have his Star reloader and it is set only for 2.7 grains. As I also recall, Star Reloading in Indianapolis also loaded their match ammo this exact way. I believe that the 2.7 grains of bullseye behind the 158 grain HBWC to be the standard for Bullseye shooting.

 

[mauserargie]

3.6 grains of w 231 under lswc copper plated 158 grains bullet.

4.2 grains of unique under lswc copper plated/epoxi 158 grains bullet.

the wheelguns are a 10-5 2" barrel, a 10-10 4" barrel and a 686-2 4" barrel.

 

[10-shooter]

Great thread.....

 

[Nevada Ed]

A 158gr lead bullet with 5.4grs of Unique in a K frame is a
very nice +P load and usually very accurate but if by chance
you are shooting a ................


J frame, snub nose at 16 to 20 ounces, most of us are happy with 5.0 grs and a few can handle the 5.2 grs that is very close to Remingtons +P loadings ........and is all the recoil that I can handle for quick repeated shots,on target.

For practice loads you can't do much better than 4.0grs of
w231 or HP38 powder unless you happen to find a bottle of Trail Bosss that was made just for lead bullet loads in the
38 spl for nice light target loads.

 

[brucev]

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

Back in another place and time there was a gun writer by the name of Sketer Skelton. I appreciated his perspective on guns and ammo. In an article on the .38 Special he suggested a all-round load that would meet just about all needs was a 158-160 gr. lead SWC over 5.0 gr. of Unique. Of course I tried it out. I liked it. Still do. It is a very useful full-power service load that has worked extremely well in every revolver I've ever owned.

 

[tominboise]

Just bumping this thread back to the top, as I am loading some 158gr swaged SWCHP over 4.0gr WW231. Using both HDY and Zero swaged bullets.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have 2 loads for 38 special using 158 gr cast bullets . It can be a swc , a round nose etc . My long time load was 5.0 grs of Unique . As skeeter skelton called it " the working mans load " . I of recent have been loading 3.5 grs of Bullseye powder . I am very happy with my Bullseye loads as well . The 38 special is about the easiest caliber to reload . Regards Paul

 

[Nevada Ed]

If you have a K frame, 5-5.2 grs of Unique is a great full load
that is manageable and usually has good POA and accuracy
in a 4" barrel or longer.

If you have a little J frame, 5.0 grs of Unique is plenty for a light
weight 2" revolver , if you can get 861 fps, out of your load.

For target practice any load less than 740 fps can be shoot all day in a J frame and still let you pick up a fork, to eat your nightly meal.

 

[pasound]

The Skeeter loads work. Used them 30 years ago, now reloading again (found some Unique on the 'net), and they still shoot the same. Accurate and reliable. Got 1000 158gr SWC cast bullets back in the spring, and glad I did.