trky chsr
Member
I'm new to the forum and I haven't noticed a reloading forum so I thought I would ask what everyones favorite load is for the 38 special. I'm still waiting for my new dies to come in so I can't contribute yet. TC
Favourite 38 Reloads?
- Thread starter trky chsr
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AveragEd
Member
If you want something clean-burning and accurate, try Hodgdon's Clays. I load 2.7 grains of it under a 148-grain HBWC and it works great in all my S&Ws. Bullseye and Unique are filthy by comparison - they leave a sticky black coating all over your gun and hands. I use Clays my .45ACP loads, too. In 158-grain LSWC .357 and 240-grain LSWC .44 loads, TiteGroup is the most accurate for me and still is fairly clean.
Ed
Ed
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Shooting Padre
US Veteran
158 GR Berry's Flat Point over 3.5 GR Accura #2. for paper and plinking. Cheap bullets but work well for what I use them for.
Lanyard Stretcher
Member
158gr.SWC and 4 gr. of Universal.
Mike
Mike
So your the one sneaking into my reloading log. LOL those are all mirror loads to what I Use.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Thanks, Ed. I'm loading the last of my Unique and Bullseye and was wondering what to try next. I've used nothing but Hercules powder since I started reloading almost 30 years ago - eh, what can I say? I find something that works and stick with it, but I could always use something cleaner burning. I'll give it a try and let you know what I find.
Again, Ed, thanks for the suggestion.
Regards,
Dave
27 Man
Member
Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 do everything I want in handgun loading. Guess I am in a rut.
nicky4968
Member
I'm a boring man in a boring job, so I have a boring reload.
4.3 gr Unique under 158 gr RNL.
I cast 158 gr RNL, 158 gr SWC, 173 gr SWC, 148 gr WC, and 200 gr RNL. The 158 gr RNL outnumbers all the rest put together by 2 or 3 to 1.
They always go where I want 'um.
4.3 gr Unique under 158 gr RNL.
I cast 158 gr RNL, 158 gr SWC, 173 gr SWC, 148 gr WC, and 200 gr RNL. The 158 gr RNL outnumbers all the rest put together by 2 or 3 to 1.
They always go where I want 'um.
bill skebeck
US Veteran
158grn. 3.0 g BULLSEYE.
bloo
Member
stuck in the same rut for the last 40 years. Only 3 powders I use. Good nuf for Elmer and Skeeter, good nuff for me. My 38 load is 148gr wc over 3.0 of Bullseye. Prints one hole groups from the Ransom Rest and keeps them in the 8 ring or better off hand at 25yrds
Ted
Smith357
US Veteran
148 grain WCs and 3 grains of Bullseye (don't quote me on that though, I have not changed the settings my press in years and don't have my book handy)
BobR1
Member
Light Load: 2.8g Clays under a 125 lead bullet.
Medium Load: 3.5 - 4.0 Unique under a 158 lead bullet
Heavy Load: 5.0 Unique under a 158 lead bullet.
Note: this is over the Maximum Load in current reloading manuals.
Per Quick Load, the pressure is below maximum for +P. This is an old favorite load that has been used for years. Start low and work up using heavy loads.
I would skip the heavy load unless you have a K or L frame gun.
Bob
Medium Load: 3.5 - 4.0 Unique under a 158 lead bullet
Heavy Load: 5.0 Unique under a 158 lead bullet.
Note: this is over the Maximum Load in current reloading manuals.
Per Quick Load, the pressure is below maximum for +P. This is an old favorite load that has been used for years. Start low and work up using heavy loads.
I would skip the heavy load unless you have a K or L frame gun.
Bob
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bananaman
Member
Mild and clean...... 158gr LSWC, 3.0 gr. Clays. Bob
Mule88
Member
158 gn cast or jacket and 5 gn. Universal Clays.
AveragEd
Member
Looking at Hodgdon's loading data, I thought Clays Universal would be a good powder for my target handgun loads in .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45ACP. But it doesn't burn well in lighter, target-type loads - it leaves little tan discs of unburned powder all over the bench and your gun unless you load it heavy enough to get the pressure high enough to insure complete combustion. But by then, recoil is reaching a point higher than necessary for target loads. I also learned the hard way the it only takes one of those little tan discs under your revolver's extractor star to prevent the cylinder from closing.
I swapped emails with Hodgdon's about those concerns and they advised that Universal is not their best recommendation for target ammo.
I like a lot of Alliant (formerly Hercules) powders but as a breed, they are dirtier than most Hodgdon products.
Ed
Black_Sheep
Member
158gr LSWC over 4.0 of W-231
snubbiefan
Member
Haven't seen one posted close to this yet.....105-grain cast wheel-weight SWC Alox-lubed over 3.1-grains of Bullseye (exactly 1 empty 22LR case). Not much more kick than a 22LR from a steel gun....fun to shoot, cheap to build and as accurate as I am.
Of course....this is not my carry-load...it's my fun-load.
Of course....this is not my carry-load...it's my fun-load.
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My all-time favorite all-purpose do just about anything that needs to be done .38 Special load is a 158-160 gr. cast lead semi-wadcutter bullet loaded over 5.0 gr. of Unique powder in Remington or Winchester cases using standard Remington or Winchester small primers. I've fired great gobs of this load through a bushel of revolvers and always gotten good results. I first started using it when I an article by Skeeter Skelton who suggested it. I've been using it for about 30 years and consider it to be just about perfect. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.
Sealevel
US Veteran
Reloading Savings
I don't wish to hijack this thread, but I'm curious about the savings realized in reloading your own .38 ammo. All my revolvers (save the .22s) shoot .38 Special; obviously the favorite caliber. Currently, I figure I'm spending about 40 cents per round buying the 130 gr. generic ammunition from Gander Mountain & Walmart and a little more for the 158 gr.
.357 rounds.
I have an opportunity to purchase an older Lyman turret press and most of the other requirements for reloading for $200. I've been considering that option just to reload the target loads mentioned in this thread; nothing more. Thanks.
I don't wish to hijack this thread, but I'm curious about the savings realized in reloading your own .38 ammo. All my revolvers (save the .22s) shoot .38 Special; obviously the favorite caliber. Currently, I figure I'm spending about 40 cents per round buying the 130 gr. generic ammunition from Gander Mountain & Walmart and a little more for the 158 gr.
.357 rounds.
I have an opportunity to purchase an older Lyman turret press and most of the other requirements for reloading for $200. I've been considering that option just to reload the target loads mentioned in this thread; nothing more. Thanks.
Smith357
US Veteran
Since I cast my own bullets mt handloads cost just under 6 cents each or $3 per 50 or $60 per 1000. Primers are my most expensive component.
Handloading Cost Calculator
robctwo
Member
Buying local cast bullets for around $60 per thousand, primers for $32 per thousand and not counting the brass I'm in for around a dime a shot. Really expensive bullets might get me up to 15-20 cents. I will routinely shoot 2-300 .38 Specials at a range session.
I like Bullseye and Clays.
I like Bullseye and Clays.
TNFrank
Member
I think we all can pretty much agree, weather you cast your own or buy em' the 158gr LSWC is probably the best standard bullet for 38spl. Load em' over a standard load of your favorite powder and they're pretty hard to beat for a day of plinking at the range, small game hunting or even in a pinch, self defense.
snubbiefan
Member
I cast as well and my loads run 6-7 cents each. If you shoot a lot.....doesn't take long to pay-back an economical Lee re-loader for the 38 Special....and it's FUN.
Thanks for all the replies. A lot of Bulleye fans here! I used Bulleye in my 45 ACP. I was hoping to see more Titegroup fans. I use it for my 9mm and even my 45 LC and I find it pretty clean and accurate. I like Unique as well but it's dirty,dirty! I was about to buy a 8lb batch of Titegroup but I may try the Bullseye first and maybe buy 4lbs of each.
To answer the person about savings in reloading. The answer is you don't save anything, you just get to shoot twice as much for the same money
TC
To answer the person about savings in reloading. The answer is you don't save anything, you just get to shoot twice as much for the same money
TCSealevel
US Veteran
I also extend my thanks to those who responded to my piggy back question on reloading savings. The information provided to Turkey Chaser on your favorite loads will be a reference for me as well should I go into reloading.
By the way welcome to this forum trky chsr. The long standing members of this forum freely share their wealth of knowledge.
By the way welcome to this forum trky chsr. The long standing members of this forum freely share their wealth of knowledge.
