.38 Spl & .357 Target loads

[philip.de.baets]

Hello everybody,

I am looking for loads that will give consistant accuracy with hard cast 158SWC bullets, intended for target practice and competition. Does anyone have loads for one kind of powder that give good results in both .38 and .357 cases (different powder charges). I own several revolvers in both calibers, but I rather don't shoot .38's in a.357 ; and I don't want to load hot .38's , so they don't get used in the wrong gun.
Tried HP38 charges (4 and 4.4 grains) in .357 cases, with medium results; probably because the powder charge is too small for the large case volume. With Titegroup the position of the powder in the case is supposed to be of less influence, so I'll try that next ; or maybe it's better to take some other powder that fills the case some more ? Cartridges are to be loaded on a progressive press for larger quantities. Thx.

 

[buckbeans]

your load with hp38 is a little low. I have very good luck with HP38 with a 158 grain bullet.

 

[epj]

Try looking here: http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Be aware that Winchester 231 and HP38 are exactly the same powder sold under two different names.

 

[max]

I have been loading and shooting 38 specials in magnum revolvers for 40 years. I have never had the slightest problem. My standard load is a lead swc and WW 231 which is the same as your HP-38.

 

[ChuckS1]

well i would suggest 3.6 grains of Bullesye in the .38 Special

 

[jbouwens]

For 158 lead load, I use 4.0 grains of 231/HP-38 in my 38 special and 5.0 grains in the 357mag for my target loads. Both are a mild target load but are very accurate from my guns. I also load 4.5 & 5.5 for a little more pop for the steel. I can split cards with either at 15 yards-- if I can see em.

 

[cptdco]

I put 3.5 grains of bullseye under a 158 grain bullet in both .38 and .357 cases and it shoots great either way, and in every gun I have. I usually use a softer lead bullet, mostly the .38 match SWC from Missouri Bullet company. If it doesn't rip a hole in the 10 ring, its because i did something wrong.

 

[jlynch34]

In my pre-model 10 sub-nose .38 I use 125 gr XTPs ahead of 5.4 gr of Universal.

 

[Fishslayer]

I've had good results from 3.6gr of Bullseye in magnum cases under a 158gr LSWC. It's just a +P load in a bigger case.

 

[TSQUARED]

Try Trail Boss powder with the 158 gr. lead bullets in both 38 Special and 357 magnum cases - nice light loads for paper punching or steel shoots. Plenty of data on Hodgdon's website under the cowboy action loads.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have to agree W213/HP-38 is probably you're best choice. I think your so-so results in .357 Magnum cases were caused by a low charge weight. A charge closer to 5.0gr will be better IMO. I also agree with the above suggestion of a 4.0gr charge under a 158gr SWC in the .38 Special. That is a very accurate load for me.

 

[Hook686]

I use Unique for both .38 and .357

 

[acl864]

Sometimes it's just easier to have a couple of different powder choices on hand. There are many versatile powders out there- Unique, Bullseye, W-231 etc. and all of them can load across a broad spectrum. But no powder will be your best choice for doing different jobs. I love Bullseye for 38 Special but never use it for 357 Mag. W-231 works well for me in 38 Special when I load it near max but doesn't work well for plinking loads, it's also a good 357 Mag powder if you're looking for light loads but you can't get true Magnum velocity with it. I use Unique in a great 38 Special +P load and in 357 Mag up through mid-range loadings.
Every powder has a sweet spot. Finding that spot with your loads is part of the joy and art of reloading.

 

[ncbengal]

Hello, Phil, and say hello to my niece in Amsterdam when you pass by.
I share your difficulty and frustration in developing accurate loads with 158 gr swc's. My guns are M686 and M19, both 6" bbl in excellent condition. With plated and/or jacketed bullets and sand bag rest either will group 2" at 25 yd; not bad for my age and open sights. However, I have used 3 brands of 158 gr swc's; propellents including Tite Group, W231/HP38, Universal, Auto Comp; reg and mag primers; mixed and new brass. With an edge given to 4.5 gr W231, I find no real winning combinations out there. In .357 cases, mag primers, and 6.4 gr 231 behind 158 gr Berry plated bullets I have a very comfortable, accurate load in either gun. 12.0 gr of 2400 also does well. Have not tried Bullseye, but probably should. For now I will stay with plated bullets.

 

[palmetto99]

I have been using a 158 grn swc over 4.6 grn of Unique. I have shot these from a model 19-4 and model 10-6.

 

[Skip Sackett]

While I have never won any national, state or even regional matches, I have competed for years and years in PPC.

Only one load, the whole time. Still, after all these years, it is my "goto" competition 38spl load.

158gr LSWC over 3.5gr of Bullseye in 38spl cases, whatever primer you want, with the bullet seated to within 1/32" of the last driving band with no crimp but the case closed back to straight on the bullet.

Not going to use Titegroup ever again. Not enough in the case to suit me.

The loads above will shoot better than you can, they do for me too!

 

[cp1969]

I've had good luck with 158 gr RN and SWC using Unique, Bullseye, 231, Winchester Super Target and Universal Clays. My .38 and .357 just don't seem to be very finicky about what powder is used. I've also never been able to tell a difference when using .38 brass in the .357 gun.

For 148 gr. WC work, Bullseye and 231/HP38 seem to be *slightly* better but I've never found them to be better than anything else in a 850 fps field load.

 

[dkrause]

I loaded and had good groups w/ a Hornady 148gr HBWC and 3.5gr Hodg Univ. in my 642 . . . 650-670 fps.

 

[borderpatrol]

I use 3.8 grains of WW-231 when loading 158 grain SWC's in .38 Special. Velocity is around 820 fps from my 4" barrels.

I use a light roll crimp. Accuracy has been superb at short range where I do 95% of my shooting. 30 feet or less.

I have a S&W 686 and M-27 with 4" barrels.

 

[daa9mm]

I use Unique for both .38 and .357

That's all I've been using for the last couple of years.
4 grains over a 158 gr semiwadcutter in 38 Sp and 6 grains over a 158 gr semiwadcutter in 357 Mag.
I'm getting just over 800 fps in the 38 Sp and 1000 fps in the 357 mag out of a Model 19 with 6" barrel.
They are accurate loads.