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

[JeepinSoldier]

As posted above, 4 grains of 231/HP 38 with a 158 grain lead or plated SWC seems to be the sweet spot.

I was loading 4.5 grains of 231/HP 38 with Missouri 158 grain LSWC and shooting them in multiple revolvers from a 2" Model 60, 3" 13 and 65, 4" 19, and 4" 686.

This load thru these guns were also shot by many different people from 10-12 year old children (Closely supervised of course) to my older son's 16 year old girlfriend, and many ladies that I have taught to shoot.

While the 4.5/158 LSWC was a joy to shoot in the K Frames, it was a little much for the kids/ladies in the 2" 60. Also, the guns got shot so much that I tired of cleaning all the lead out/off of them.

Dropped the powder charge to 4 grains and switched to Extreme plated 158 SWC and its the perfect load. All are able to handle it in the 2" J frame, its almost like shooting a rimfire in the heavier 686, and no messy lead deposits all over the guns to clean out for hours. Super accurate from all of the guns to boot!

The plated bullets are a little more expensive but worth every penny to me.

 

[Shooter Magaven]

Got out today to try the HP-38 loads,
First off, I really like this powder for 38 Spl. Shot pretty clean, little smoke with lead swaged/dry lube.
Much less leading than with the other powders I've tried.
Did not pack the chony, so...no data today.

4.2 gr HP-38 seemed to be the most accurate in the Trooper MKIII, but not by much.
4.0 gr was next followed by 4.5 gr.
all were very light in the 357 6" (obviously)

But the 3.7 gr was pleasant in the alloy 642.
4.0 would be the most I'll shoot in that light pistol for plinking. Anything more was just uncomfortable. Of course my carry load is HOT! But only shoot a couple cylinders of that and its enough.

Thanks everyone for the data