4 inch vs 6 inch .38 Special

[AJ]

To simplify things I have been mulling over going to one loading for my .38 Special chambered handguns. I have four handguns that will accept .38 Special. A S&W 52, a S&W 27, a S&W 60 and a S&W Behlert Custom PPC. Since the most accurate is the 52 and it shoots 2.8 grains of Bullseye with a 148 grain bullet the best, that is what I am thinking of loading for the others. The PPC also shoots it very well The 27 has adjustable sights so the loading should be able to be regulated to it. The 60 will only be shot at 7 yards and is more of a point shooting piece than a true aimed piece. Has anyone else tried this and if so how did it work out?

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a WW231 over 146 SWC/HP load (non +P) I developed in the late 70's for my 4" guns. It have been fantastic in 2" J's & K's as well as 4". I picked up a like new 6" before Covid shut everything down. When I got to try it with my load, it was the best centerfire revolver shooting I've ever done! One load can work well in all of them!

Ivan

 

[ruger 22]

I think Ivan's answer says it all.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't change .38 Special target loads for different guns.

I have 3 favorite .38 Special rounds:
1. 148gr HBWC over 3.2gr W231
2. 148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231
3. 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231

All 3 loads shoot well in my .38 Special revolvers with barrels ranging from 1.875" to 6"...

 

[colt_saa]

I am a one load for all hand guns type of hand loader.

I see nothing wrong with your favorite Model 52 load for all your firearms.

 

[boatbum101]

Assuming target loads . Well arguably the HBWC or a FBWC . Swaged if pushed soft . Cast you usually need to push a tad faster . IMHO as an old 2700 shooter , there's only 2 powders for 38 special target loads . Both are Winchester powders W231 & WST . Over the years it has been my experience it was less work to come up with a 50yd 10-ring load with these two .
HBWC bullets are the issue now days . The wonderful old Remington 148 HBWC with the nasty Japan wax / graphite lube are alas no more . At .360 & a robust skirt they were the cats meow . The Zero's run .357 & shoot well if they fit , lead if they don't . IIRC Magnus swaged are Zero's rebranded . Precision Delta are loved by the PPC crowd .
Many shooters have been won over to the Brazos Hi-Tec coated BNWC & the 45 cal SWC's . First coated bullets I've seen shoot cleaned 50yd B-6 targets . Intial testing yesterday morning showed that between 4.0 - 4.2grs W231 & 3.3 - 3.7grs WST are looking preety dang good . Plan on shooting some BE & 700X loads next outing . Winners will be further sorted by actual 50yd groups . FWIW these were shot from a 1960 vintage Colt OMM with .359 throats , .356 bore . It also shoots the Zero bullet with 2.9 WST lights out .
With the 52 in the mix I'd be inclined to stick with a swaged HBWC . Back when I had a 52-2 it liked the Zero over 3.1 - 3.2grs W231 . Since I no longer have one of the finicky witches I'm checking the Brazos solid base out . Price point of 8 cents a piece vs 10.5 cents .

 

[Tu_S]

For 9mm and 45 ACP I bought a pair of Lee Pro 1000's that I have setup for my "standard" target loads that I run through everything. These are the two round I shoot the most, and it's nice to have everything setup and ready to go, where good enough is good enough.

Of course I do spend time with the turret press and auto charger for both calibers, loading stuff that is more tuned to a specific gun, EDC rounds, and in the last 2 years, working up something new for the progressive presses because of component availability forcing a change. I would guess these rounds would account for 10-20% of what I load and shoot.

 

[AJ]

I don't change .38 Special target loads for different guns.

I have 3 favorite .38 Special rounds:
1. 148gr HBWC over 3.2gr W231
2. 148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231
3. 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231

All 3 loads shoot well in my .38 Special revolvers with barrels ranging from 1.875" to 6"...

Thank you, I too have several different loads that work well in all of the 38's. However, now I am thinking just one load.

 

[Nevada Ed]

My little J frame snub nose with a 148 BBwc did not do well with 3.4g of w231 powder.

However it did shot to POA with just 2.9 grs of w231 powder, for a starting load.

This revolver or short barrel, is very picky on what it it is feed.

My longer 6" barrels do much better at getting near a POA.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

Another vote for HBWC's over 231 here.

 

[AJ]

Another vote for HBWC's over 231 here.

I reserve my HBWC's for my S&W 52. I use them with 2.8 grains of Bullseye.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I reserve my HBWC's for my S&W 52. I use them with 2.8 grains of Bullseye.

One reason most of my revolvers are feed BBwc 148's or the
standard lead 158 gr bullets for all my practice shooting.

Low cost and easy clean up if not pushed too hard.

 

[cowboy4evr]

In 38 special / 158 gr cast bullet I normally use 3.5 grs of Bullseye , Red Dot or WST . Using 700X I found 4.0 was the magic number . I have a LEE 6 cav mold , TL RN 158 gr . I tumble lube them . In the past I have powder ooated them . Tumble lubing is easier and works fine . Regards Paul

 

[H Richard]

If paper targets are your "only" possible target, you should be fine. However, I would have on hand some full power loads for self defense. The 2.8 bullseye load has been known to bounce off some pretty flimsy target boards.

 

[AJ]

If paper targets are your "only" possible target, you should be fine. However, I would have on hand some full power loads for self defense. The 2.8 bullseye load has been known to bounce off some pretty flimsy target boards.

Have never seen a 148 grain WC with 2.8 grains of Bullseye bounce off a normal cardboard target backer. If that is all I have at the time, you can believe that I will use it in self defense & defense of others. My carry and night stand pieces have ammo that is a bit more potent. 24 years in the Corps and as a Weapons Instructor for a Anti-Terrorist Unit have given me a pretty fair idea what is needed for defensive/offensive situations.

Have seen low powered rounds bounce off of wood and fireproof steel doors. The best was a S&W Rep was giving demonstration of the S&W 37 MM Gas Gun to the local PD's. We had given permission for them to use a condemned building for the demo. The glass in the door had been replaced with 3/8's plywood. His gas rounds were just bouncing off. I called my Sgt.Of The Guard to bring me a M203. Loaded Gas Round into it and promptly put a hole in the plywood. All the Police wanted to know what it was and where to get one. The S&W Rep was not happy with us.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

I reserve my HBWC's for my S&W 52. I use them with 2.8 grains of Bullseye.

I guess I misunderstood the question. I thought you wanted one load for all the guns listed.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thank you, I too have several different loads that work well in all of the 38's. However, now I am thinking just one load.

I wasn't suggesting you load all 3 loads I posted. I was only giving you the charges for the different bullets. I wasn't sure which wadcutter bullet you are loading for your M52 so I listed both. The other reason for listing all 3 was to show all my .38 Special favorite ammo is loaded with W231.

 

[AJ]

I guess I misunderstood the question. I thought you wanted one load for all the guns listed.

I wasn't suggesting you load all 3 loads I posted. I was only giving you the charges for the different bullets. I wasn't sure which wadcutter bullet you are loading for your M52 so I listed both. The other reason for listing all 3 was to show all my .38 Special favorite ammo is loaded with W231.

I do want one load for the guns listed. I plan on 2.8 grains of Bullseye for the 148 grain WC bullet. The HBWC's are harder to come by at this time. These shoot extremely well in my S&W 52-1, so those will be reserved for it. The other guns will be getting 148 grain cast DEWC's to consume. If I caused confusion then I apologize.

 

[brucev]

Thank you for this post and the replies. Have positively adored the .38 Special since I loaded my first round with a RCBS Reloader Special. Have used lots of different loads in the last 42 years. These will join my recipe book ... along with Skeeter Skelton's 5.0 gr. Unique load using any decent 158-160 gr. bullet. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

...HBWC's are harder to come by at this time...

I have noticed this as well. I was going to get into casting specifically for this bullet style. One source I see that is usually in stock is Berry's. I have been meaning to give those a try.