Favorite light recoil load for 38 special

Pretty much the same here in Oregon. I think last time I found a pound of trailboss here it was 18.00 for a 9oz. You might find it online for less but shipping and hazmat fees negate the savings unless buying greater quantities. I have not seen bullseye out here for at least 3 years but 20 doesn't sound bad from what I've seen locally.
I would have bought the Bullseye for that. None existing here in Kentucky.
 
If you come across a jug of Red Dot , grab it. 3.5 to 4.0 grains of Red Dot with that 158 grain SWC works very well in 38 special, when Bullseye isn't available. I saw 3 jugs of Red Dot on the shelf and bought one , it has worked so well in several different lead bullet handgun loads that I regret not buying all three....but , at that time , I didn't know how well it worked.
Gary
 
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Trail Boss!!!

4.2 grains under a 158 lead bullet. It's a fantastic powder. It's ultra clean and gives 100% case fill. Not a typo, it completely fills the case. So it's also an incredibly safe powder to work with since it is impossible to double charge.

Velocity of this load is on par with current factory loads, giving velocity in the 700s depending on barrel length.
 
If you come across a jug of Red Dot , grab it. 3.5 to 4.0 grains of Red Dot with that 158 grain SWC works very well in 38 special, when Bullseye isn't available. I saw 3 jugs of Red Dot on the shelf and bought one , it has worked so well in several different lead bullet handgun loads that I regret not buying all three....but , at that time , I didn't know how well it worked.
Gary
That's what I had to do, go to RedDot.Pretty close to Bullseye in the. 38spc.
 
Most bullets mentioned here are 148 WC or158 +/- SWC. I have been curious about the lighter 100g lead round nose or 120g cone shaped bullets offered by Bayou et al. What is their purpose? Light loads? Squirrel hunting? Old 38 Cal guns? Seems like the cone shaped light weight might be a good small game load and lighter round nose good plinkers. Anyone tried them?
 
Lots of good loads here. I've tried many of them myself.
That said, I recently went on a quest for a light load that could be used in airweight snubbies for initial (not extended) training of a petite female family member. ( The intent to get her used to the basics before introducing heavier recoil.) I tried Red Dot, Clays, TightGroup, Bullseye,Unique , Trailboss and W231 over a variaty of cast and plated bullets in the 125, 148 and 158 gr range over a two month period. ( I was clearing out the powder locker :-)) What I settled on in the end was 3.7 gr of Trailboss over a 125gr LRN bullet. This load was the best tested combination of acceptable accuracy, very light recoil, acceptable smoke and (very importantly) the ability to shoot groups at POA from a fixed sighted revolver.
You might give it a try if you have the components.
 
Groo here
If you cant ge't Bullseye , you might get Trailboss.
I have found it works best at 90% to 100% to the base of the bullet.
Also, a hotter primer and a good crimp.
 
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