.38 Special Loads

[ArchAngelCD]

OK, I have 3X .38 Special loads I have used for many years.

They are:
158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231
148gr HBWC over 3.2gr W231
148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231

For the 158gr LSWC doesn't anyone have a W231/HP-38 load which is different than the one I'm using? How accurate is that load?

I have a handful of .38 Special revolvers I shoot and I'm just wondering if there is something "better" using W231 out there. (I can't find my old data using different charges)

PLEASE DO NOT SUGGEST ANOTHER POWDER, only W231/HP-38 loads.

Thank you in advance...

 

[Norman77]

Hi there!

According to my insta memory, i used 4.3 grain of HP-38 under a tumble lube round nose 158 grainer with nice results at 27 yards out of the Colt Python.
OAL of 1.496 (38mm)
Seating depth 0.351.
Primer was S&B, Cases S&B.
Quickload gave 900 fps in the simulation,
and like 17 000 psi max pressure.
It was a very nicely shooting load in this gun.

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[sheppard]

The .38 special load I've used for decades is a swaged lead 158 grain bullet ( Hornady, Speer or Remington) over 4.3 grains of 231. No idea as to velocity, but accurate for my purposes.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

For the 158gr cast and HP-38, the 4.0gr is my go to. Sometimes I’ll bump it up 4.2gr but there’s really no need.

If I can find my load journal I’ll see if i have any other usual loads for hp38/w231

 

[Jebus35745]

When I had the S&W model 52, 3.0 gr of 231 with HBWC or DEWC cycled the slide without slamming it. This is all I use anymore, sold all the lead RN or SWC bullets. Seems the HBWC is accurate in all the guns I shoot it in.

Same for .32 long, 1.8 gr of 231 with a HBWC. Both are pleasant to shoot with minimal recoil, Larry

 

[rockquarry]

For the 158 cast SWC ( I use the H&G #51 design, but some other designs may work just as well), I've used 4 grs. 231 / HP-38 and 4.3 grs. of the same in many revolvers. Both loads are quite accurate, but I get slightly better overall accuracy with 3.5 grs. Bullseye. Not a great deal of difference, but a difference. These are loads worth benchrest testing at 25 yards and comparing. Go with what shoots best for you.

 

[alwslate]

Arch your 4.0 gr load chronos at just about exactly 800 fps out of my 4" S&W model 10-5. At this velocity level I get better accuracy with a cast RN bullet rather than a cast SWC. Since my standard .38 spl plinking loads are unlikely to be used against anything larger than a cotton tail rabbit or a coon that gets close to my rural home a RN bullet seems good enough.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Arch your 4.0 gr load chronos at just about exactly 800 fps out of my 4" S&W model 10-5. At this velocity level I get better accuracy with a cast RN bullet rather than a cast SWC. Since my standard .38 spl plinking loads are unlikely to be used against anything larger than a cotton tail rabbit or a coon that gets close to my rural home a RN bullet seems good enough.

I checked my data and get same velocity out of my 4” model 65.

 

[Nevada Ed]

In my old load book , I have three loads with w231 that were ok.
They were shot at a target behind my chrony +/- 16-20 feet off a rest.

M49 snub nose;
4.0 ........ 587 fps ................ 5 @ 1.91" ave.
5.0 ........ 816 ............................. 1.83

686 6";
4.7 ......... 890 ..................... 6 @ 1.43

My minimum recoil load in my M49 for target work and practice is a;
148 BBwc with 2.9 grs of w231 at 590 fps.

a 148 with w231 can reach 800 fps but the recoil is harsh.

 

[gwpercle]

There is not a lot of leeway between start load and max load with 231/HP38 and a 158 gr. LSWC Plain Base , sized .358" ... my books and notes show a :
Starting Load of 3.7 grs. @ 744 fps
maximum Load of 4.3 grs . @ 847 fps

Your load of 4.0 grs is right in the middle , not a bad place to be ... and the load I use 4.0 grs 231/HP38 @ 795 fps ... a good velocity. I stopped there because the accuracy was right on .
About the only thing you can try is loading up a few at 4.1 grs. , 4.2 grs. and 4.3 grs. and testing them for accuracy ... one of these loads may be your gun's " sweet spot " !
Come to think of it ... I need to do this also , maybe I'm missing something !
Gary

 

[Piwo]

Those are the exact loadings and bullet styles I have used since loading for the 38 spl. The 4 grain load is sometimes upped to 4.5 for field loads for a model 67 that just happens to shoot that charge better. Notwithstanding, the 4 grain charge is nicely balanced and I use it in airweight snubbies, steel frame and duty size guns. The "Goldilocks" load if there ever was one.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

They are:
158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231
148gr HBWC over 3.2gr W231
148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231

Thank you in advance...

The 158 LSWC and 4.0 was the classic load for the revolver Distinguish Match in PPC.

The 148 HBWC and 3.0 was my load for the "1500" PPC Match.

Now the 148 DEWC or BBWC with 4.0 grains will stabilize the bullet better if you are shooting at 50 yards. I found out the hard way and in a Match I was "keyholing" the Target at 50 Yards during a PPC Match.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

With the 158 grain bullet 4.0 grains of W231 is standard 38 Special. 4.5 grains of W231 is +P status and a good bullet would be the Speer LSWCHP.

BTW, my LGS got in W231 and I got two pounds. I use it for 44 Special too.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Arch your 4.0 gr load chronos at just about exactly 800 fps out of my 4" S&W model 10-5. At this velocity level I get better accuracy with a cast RN bullet rather than a cast SWC. Since my standard .38 spl plinking loads are unlikely to be used against anything larger than a cotton tail rabbit or a coon that gets close to my rural home a RN bullet seems good enough.

Yeah, that's the velocities I get from a 4" M&P too. Thanks for the info and I'll try the RN bullets. I have a bunch of 160gr Cast RN bullets I can give a try.

The 158 LSWC and 4.0 was the classic load for the revolver Distinguish Match in PPC.

I didn't know that. I guess I stumbled upon that load all those years ago and it's validated by the Match shooters.

 

[Huskerguy]

I use W231/HP38 as well with the RCBS KT 150 bullet which is a 158 grain SWC. I load mine at 3.8 grains, manageable recoil and very accurate which is my goal. I shoot this mostly in Smiths but also a Ruger, Colt and a couple Dan's.

 

[boatbum101]

With W231 over the years I've found that 3.0 - 3.2grs w/ a 148 HBWC , 3.4 - 3.5 w/ 148 DEWC / FBWC , 4.0 - 4.5grs w/ 158 SWC . 4.5grs is stiff like 5.0grs Unique good field load .

 

[Rule3]

Better? Better than what?? Why is wrong with your loads?


Here is a list of all kinds of loads (other powders and HP38)


Reloading The .38 Special - Reload Ammo

 

[rosewood]

I am going to try out some of these recommend loads and see what I get.

Rosewood

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Better? Better than what?? Why is wrong with your loads?


Here is a list of all kinds of loads (other powders and HP38)


Reloading The .38 Special - Reload Ammo

Nothing wrong with my load. I'm just curious on what others are doing and if there might be a load that's just a little more accurate out there. BUT, in starting to think I'm just fine with what I'm now doing.

I will load up a few of the other loads mentioned here and do a side by side test in a 4" M&P and a 6" M14 and see what the results are.

 

[Arkfarmer]

Nothing wrong with my load. I'm just curious on what others are doing and if there might be a load that's just a little more accurate out there. BUT, in starting to think I'm just fine with what I'm now doing.

I will load up a few of the other loads mentioned here and do a side by side test in a 4" M&P and a 6" M14 and see what the results are.

Hey Feller, I'm no expert but I think enough of that 4.2gr 231, 158SWC load that I just did a 4.5K run of them on the Dillon for general 25 to 50yd shooting here on my range. I have a range set up similar to what Hickock has on YouTube, plate rack, steel silhouettes, poppers, ect plus paper target frames. Got a lot of friends and I'm the oldest member of my immediate family which consist of 28 folks all of whom like to shoot, been using that load for 50 years.... just saying.... John
Edit to add, been using it since the powder was 230 instead of 231... John