Favorite light recoil load for 38 special

[perryhd]

Thanks for the replies. Out of twenty replies nine prefer Bullseye four like W231. These are two powders I don't have and have not been able to find. I agree that 700 X does not feed well. I do have some HP38 witch is suppose to be close to W231. I'll try the HP38 while I continue to look for Bullseye.
Thanks again for the help. Dan

 

[Vortec MAX]

HP38 isn't just close, it is actually W231. They come from the same place, but go into different bottles.

Mike

 

[perryhd]

HP38 isn't just close, it is actually W231. They come from the same place, but go into different bottles.

Mike

I had read that before but my burn rate charts have two powders between HP38 and W231.

 

[6string]

I usually use the old classic bullseye load of 2.7-2.8 gr bullseye under a 148 gr WC. Other suitable powders are HP38, WW231, 700X, Red Dot, and VV 310. Don't overlook Trailboss, either! Unique and Herco are a bit slower but great, too, if you can find it!

Jim

 

[sellersm]

Bullseye, W213/HP-38 are fast powders, so they work really well, in light charges, for a low-recoil load.

And yes, HP-38 and Win 231 are the same powder. Been beat to death all over the forums in internet-land... They are the same. Period.

If you can find some Ramshot Zip powder, it's very similar to W231/HP-38 and behaves accordingly. I use it when I run out of W231 or HP-38. Acts very similar, has a bit more "zip" to it, thus the name!

 

[photobiker]

A little late getting to the show but these are my favorite light loads shooting 158 LSWC out of a 6" barrel.

Clays - 2.7 gr
HP38/231 - 3.1
Trail Boss - 2.9

Out of these 3 powders I would think HP38/231 would be the easiest to find followed by Trail Boss.

 

[photobiker]

Maybe a better approach is tell what you can your hands on and we can tell you if it will fit your needs and at what load.
I also shoot Red at 3.2 gr and True Blue at 4.8 -5.0 gr and my notes say to do Unique again at 4.3 gr.

My notes are a little weak, most of the feedback I write down is accuracy and whether it is "hot".

 

[mr-mom]

2.7 grains of Bullseye topped with a 148gr hollow base wadcutter.

Nuff said. Excellent load. Always check your manual(s).
Dave
SWCA#2778

 

[USSR]

133gr SWC with 3.5gr of Bullseye.

Don

 

[austinjeane]

I use 3.5 grains of Trail Boss behind a 158 grain cast swc. Hard to beat Trail Boss as it fills up the case and replicates original black powder loads.

 

[retnavyshooter]

With arthritis and dupuytrens contracture in my right hand I find 2.6 gr of Trail Boss with 158 gr LSWC a very comfortable load in both my N and K frame revolvers.

Mick

 

[sellersm]

Trail Boss is well known as a good, 'bunny fart' load powder that fills cases well. It's the "magic formula" in many recipes for low-recoil rifle rounds as well!

It's a reloader's best kept "secret"!

 

[gwpercle]

Lee makes a 105 grain bullet mould , 358-105-SWC , that is just the ticket for light loads. I started using it when my supply of free wheel-weights started drying up and I was looking to stretch the supply I had.
Load with your favorite wadcutter powder for pleasant and economical shooting.
Gary

 

[perryhd]

Maybe a better approach is tell what you can your hands on and we can tell you if it will fit your needs and at what load.

I currently have eight powders on hand that can be used in 38 special. AutoComp CFE Pistol PB AA#5 700X HP-38 Titegroup and Nitri 100. My Hornady 7th edition manual shows light loads for 700X, HP-38, Titegroup and Nitro 100 using 148gr WC. I just recently got the HP-38 after looking for it and Bullseye for close to two years. Based on what I read here I think the HP-38 might be the best of what I have for light loads.Thanks again for all the advice.

 

[KSCOP60]

I don't reload but out of the box for range/target use I prefer Buffalo Bore Low-flash, Low-recoil .38 Specials. For home defense I carry Barnes TAC-XPD .357 Magnum. Both great in a S&W M60.

 

[Cumminsdood]

3.5 gr of PB under a 158gr swc is super accurate and very light almost no recoil.

 

[jonferebee]

Bullseye for .38 spl

I prefer Bullseye for light loads. 3-3.5 grains under 158 LSWC's shoot great in my M28 and Python.

 

[WDF]

great 38 loads

Have reloaded 38 with Bullseye since 1960. Measured well from my old Redding measure. 2.7 grains with 158 LSWC is great. Just as well with 148 DEWC. Actually went down to 0.8 grains for a "rat load" (shot a lot of rats with this). Do NOT recommend this light, it can stick a bullet in a long barrel!
Have not been able to buy any Bullseye lately so tried some things I had lying around. 231, 452AA, Red Dot and Unique. 2.7 to 3.2 of any are a nice light load but only the 231 seemed to measure really well. Then I tried something new, Titegroup. Wow. Set the Redding measure, or my new Lee measure, to 3.2 grains and it measures 3.2 every time! Have tired as light as 2.5 g and works well in my model 17, model 36 and a Colt 357. This is my new "recommendation". Keep having fun.

 

[Kenley]

3.0 grains Bulls eye, 148 gr HBWC and a tissue paper over powder wad

 

[sckothmann]

Try a 125 LFP

A little late getting to the show but these are my favorite light loads shooting 158 LSWC out of a 6" barrel.

Clays - 2.7 gr
HP38/231 - 3.1
Trail Boss - 2.9

Out of these 3 powders I would think HP38/231 would be the easiest to find followed by Trail Boss.

You might try a 125 LFP. I loaded some using Trail Boss and ran them over a Chronograph. Here are my loads and results;

Pistol -- S&W MODEL 64-5 with a 4 in. barrel

3.0 gr Trail Boss = 634 fps avg. Very light recoil.
3.5 gr Trail Boss = 718 fps avg. Light recoil. (My favorite of these)
4.0 gr Trail Boss = 760 fps avg. Light to moderate recoil.

Trail Boss fills the case about 1/2 way or a little better and is easy to check. Fun loads to shoot! Very good for practicing trigger control.