In the past I used 452AA for light loads. When I ran out of 452 and could not get it any longer I just picked a load for a powder I had on hand witch was 700X. I have been loading 3 gr 700X under a 158 gr LSWC it works but I'm sure there are better loads for short range target shooting. So my question is what is your favorite light recoil load?
Favorite light recoil load for 38 special
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Bocephus
Member
Light loads for 38 special
I use 3.0 grains of Clays and 125 grain truncated lead bullet. Have shot thousands
I use 3.0 grains of Clays and 125 grain truncated lead bullet. Have shot thousands
old&slow
Member
3. 0 to 3.5 Bullseye with a 158 SWC is a nice mild load.
If I remember right 2.7 Bullseye was kind of a standard 50 foot paper puncher load, years ago.
But, that much Bullseye doesn't take up much room in a 38 spl. case. And even a triple charge might be hard to see. So, be careful.
Usually I prefer a powder charge that fills the case about 40%.
( always check any internet expert load against a good reloading manual )
If I remember right 2.7 Bullseye was kind of a standard 50 foot paper puncher load, years ago.
But, that much Bullseye doesn't take up much room in a 38 spl. case. And even a triple charge might be hard to see. So, be careful.
Usually I prefer a powder charge that fills the case about 40%.
( always check any internet expert load against a good reloading manual )
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38 Short Colt with a 135 grain Bayou bullet over a light charge of Bullseye.
I use Starline cases.
I use Starline cases.
148 grain HBWC over 3.4 grains of 231
I started with 700x and it did just fine. I switched to Bullseye because it seemed to always meter consistently, compared to usually metering consistently.
If the 700x meters in your powder measure, then I expect you will have excellent accuracy.
Will
If the 700x meters in your powder measure, then I expect you will have excellent accuracy.
Will
gregintenn
Member
2.7 grains of Bullseye topped with a 148gr hollow base wadcutter.
My favorite light load powder for 38 spl was W452 and I still have 1+
lbs of it. I've tried it's replacement, WST, but it falls way short of 452
in 38 spl in my opinion. I've found that the 158 gr RN gives better
accuracy than the SWC in light loads for me. 700X gives good accuracy
at 3.3 grs with the RN. But my new favorite just might be 3.0 grs of
Hogdon Titewad with the 158 gr RN. I haven't shot enough of them
yet to really say for sure but it is the cleanest burning load that I
have ever put together yet.
lbs of it. I've tried it's replacement, WST, but it falls way short of 452
in 38 spl in my opinion. I've found that the 158 gr RN gives better
accuracy than the SWC in light loads for me. 700X gives good accuracy
at 3.3 grs with the RN. But my new favorite just might be 3.0 grs of
Hogdon Titewad with the 158 gr RN. I haven't shot enough of them
yet to really say for sure but it is the cleanest burning load that I
have ever put together yet.
I mainly use x-lite loads in my J frame M49 at only 21 oz. since the K frames and larger have enough weight to help in the recoil of most loads.
I only use these light loads in the "Snub Nose" since I do not know if they have enough energy to make it through a 6" barrel.... except for the 148gr loading.
These are my lowest target loads for the family and youngsters old enough to shoot and enjoy the outings. (teenagers)
I have added the recoil ft/lbs at the end, to give you an idea of the amount of recoil for my gun. While amount of powder can raise recoil, so will the weight of heavier bullets.
125gr lead..... TrailBoss 600 fps........... 1.91 ft/lbs.
148 hbwc ..... Bullseye .. 630 ............... 2.62
158 lead ...... Bull/Trail .. 572 ............... 2.58
158 Rem +P "FBI" ....... 860 ................ 5.94
The last load will get your attention in a light J frame.
I only use these light loads in the "Snub Nose" since I do not know if they have enough energy to make it through a 6" barrel.... except for the 148gr loading.
These are my lowest target loads for the family and youngsters old enough to shoot and enjoy the outings. (teenagers)
I have added the recoil ft/lbs at the end, to give you an idea of the amount of recoil for my gun. While amount of powder can raise recoil, so will the weight of heavier bullets.
125gr lead..... TrailBoss 600 fps........... 1.91 ft/lbs.
148 hbwc ..... Bullseye .. 630 ............... 2.62
158 lead ...... Bull/Trail .. 572 ............... 2.58
158 Rem +P "FBI" ....... 860 ................ 5.94
The last load will get your attention in a light J frame.
AtomHeartMother
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I run 700x in my 66-3 and airweight. I'm using my own cast Lee 105 grain swc, powder coated. What a great shooting little round. Been running 3.5 grains with s&b primers, mixed brass. The old model 66 never ceases to amaze me how accurate it is. Could probably go lighter yet on the charge but like others mentioned 700x isn't the best metering especially as you go smaller with charges. Meters really well for me at 4.5 grains and up(45acp loads).
Collo Rosso
Member
158gr. LSWC and 3.5 grains of WST.
hd-dude
Member
158 RNFP Xtreme over 3.9gn AA#2. Just makes power factor for IDPA out of 686SSR. Very soft shooting.
3.0 gr Bullseye with a 158 grain lead semi wadcutter = bunny fart load. Shoot it all day long.
Starting round for beginner for centerfire cartridge. If you cast, cheaper than today's 22 lr
Starting round for beginner for centerfire cartridge. If you cast, cheaper than today's 22 lr
m657
Member
I've used lighter boolits and lighter loads but something like "148g DEWC with 3.0g W231" is awfully hard to beat for either accuracy or gentle recoil.
Ive used some 130 truncated cone cast lead that work pretty good, but the DEWC sure make better looking holes to inspire ever better POI focus.
Ive used some 130 truncated cone cast lead that work pretty good, but the DEWC sure make better looking holes to inspire ever better POI focus.
I don't know if it....
This is pretty universally famous as a target load. I don't know if it gets any better than this in most guns.
This is pretty universally famous as a target load. I don't know if it gets any better than this in most guns.
italiansport
Member
AveragEd
Member
I load 4.0 grains of SR4756 under a 148-grain hollow-base wadcutter. Yes, I know that powder is no longer being manufactured but it burns ultra-clean with great accuracy and gentle recoil so what remains of it on dealers' shelves is worth searching out. I found seven one-pound bottles between two shops and another member of this Forum sold me a near-full eight-pound jug of it. Seek and ye might find!
Ed
Ed
Bosquebass
Member
Me too. Shoots easy and clean.
