38 SPL target Pet Loads (w/HP-38)

[Shooter Magaven]

Just found 2lbs of HP-38 ..Yaah

So I got;
S&W j frame
158gr Hndy swaged lead (250 Im trying to use up)
HP-38 powder

Ok..what are yall's pet target loads for this combo? I know they're in the manuals. I looked a few. But I want some good ideas from experienced shooters

Thanks

BTW: The search function sucks

 

[OKFC05]

HP38 (Win231) has been my most used .38 powder for several decades. If you don't have to make any particular power factor, 4gr makes a nice general purpose load for your 158gr swaged bullet.
This is barely into the +P range on some of the new charts, not on my old ones.
For a standard load with your J frame, drop down half a grain to 3.5 or so.

 

[Shooter Magaven]

Thanks OKFC,
My J frame is a 642 airweight. Its +p rated but my HS-6 and Power Pistol +Ps are not fun to shoot so ill be dropping that down .5

 

[Bob T]

I use 3.4-3.9 grains behind a 158gr LSWC. Both provide good accuracy at 25yds but the 3.9 does better shooting clays on the 100yd berm.

Shooting them out of a pre model 14.

 

[jculloden]

3.5 V V N320 158 LSWCHP S&W 442 no+P
Nice shooting

 

[Shooter Magaven]

3.5 V V N320 158 LSWCHP S&W 442 no+P
Nice shooting

Couldnt find any VV N320. Wish I had, I woulda bought some.. I got some 3N37 but it hasnt shot well with swaged lead.

Saw a 5lb jug of Accurate No.2 for $112....but I left it there. Was that a mistake?

 

[Moe Mentum]

With a 158 grain bullet, I use 4.0 grains of HP-38. Nice mid range target load.

 

[Coastie762]

When you run out of those 158s, pick up some 148 grain HBWCs and try them over 3.0 grains of HP38. I think that you'll like it.

 

[max]

Over the years, the loads for 231 has really been dropped by WW. Check a current manual or the WW webpage.

 

[Peak53]

Given your choice of weapon, powder, and bullet I have had good success at 3.5 grains HP-38 for a light/target load. At 4.0 grains, you are bumping up a bit in velocity and recoil, but very manageable. For absolute accuracy, which is not really the goal of the j-frame, go with the previously mentioned 148 grain wadcutters at 3.0 grains. That will make a k-frame sing!

 

[Ceapea]

I believe that 3.9gr-4.0gr HP-38/231, behind a 158gr bullet, is considered the "accuracy load" from the Lyman book. It is the load that most of the Bullseye shooters that I know use for 25yd and 50yd.
A 6:00 hold, off the outer (#7 I think) ring at 25yd. A center hold on the X at 50yd.

 

[ArkieVol]

To echo others on HP-38 (W 231) w/158 swc, I have found loads from 4.0 to 4.5 to be accurate and comfortable in J and K frames. 4.7 (max plus-P per Speer) gives very good accuracy but a bit stout for a J frame.

148 WC - 3.7 very accurate

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Yup, 4.0gr W231/HP-38 under a 158gr LSWC bullet is my all time favorite .38 Special load. No, it is not in the +P pressure range like said above. You will really like that load.

 

[Clovishound]

I use 3.5 with that bullet and HP38. FWIW, Hodgdon lists 3.7 as max for this combo.

 

[Nevada Ed]

A full load of w231 in my J frame snub hits around 816 fps.

If you reduce the powder on that 158gr lead bullet to go around
570 to 650 you will have a nice light target load that is a lot
easier on you and the revolver.

Have fun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use 3.5 with that bullet and HP38. FWIW, Hodgdon lists 3.7 as max for this combo.

I am at a total loss as to why Hodgdon has lowered the max charge to 3.7gr when in the past the max charge was 4.5gr. I have been loading 4.0gr for a very long time and it's a normal shooting accurate load.

That 3.7gr load is reported to generate only 14,600 CUP, nowhere near the current SAAMI limits of 17,000 PSI. The current Lyman Cast bullet Handbook from Oct 2010 lists 4.0gr as the top load with a pressure of 15,900 CUP under a 158gr LSWC bullet. That is also listed as their potentially most accurate load.

 

[alwslate]

Over the years, the loads for 231 has really been dropped by WW. Check a current manual or the WW webpage.

As mentioned above it's Hodgdon that has lowered the charge
weights for 231 in the 38 spl not WW. Hodgdon has been
marketing the WW line of powders for several years now as
WW no longer does. Frankly the philosophy behind Hodgdon's
load data can be a bit baffling at times.

 

[Waywatcher]

I love 3.5 under a 148 DEWC, generates an average of 725fps from my 442 and hits to point of aim.

If I was loading 158s I would bump it up to 4.0 like ArchAngelCD listed.

 

[phonejack]

I agree on the 4.0 /231 with a lead 158

 

[Shooter Magaven]

I did a few at 3.7 gr before I got all the replies, but have not shot them yet. If they are as light as I now think they will be, Ill do a few from 4.0- 4.5 and test for accuracy.

I did find a couple old threads on google that noted too light a load with 231/hp38 can be very ditry and smokey. I shall see

Thanks for all the great reaponses fellas !