m657
Member
I've had excellent results with 158 RNL and the top published data at Hodgdon's site using Tite group, but prefer HP38/W231.
Other powders work fine too.
Other powders work fine too.
Ideas for 158 RNFP load?
- Thread starter lazy
- Start date
38 Special Load
I loaded up 200 rounds from the Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook's potentially most accurate load chart. They listed 4.9 grains of 231 behind a 158 grain round nose lead bullet. I didn't have any RNL bullets so I used both cast and swaged 158 grain semi wadcutters both solid and hollow points. I'm hoping for the best from my Combat Masterpiece and 3" model 60. I'll keep you posted. Mike
I loaded up 200 rounds from the Lyman Pistol & Revolver Handbook's potentially most accurate load chart. They listed 4.9 grains of 231 behind a 158 grain round nose lead bullet. I didn't have any RNL bullets so I used both cast and swaged 158 grain semi wadcutters both solid and hollow points. I'm hoping for the best from my Combat Masterpiece and 3" model 60. I'll keep you posted. Mike
flash60601
US Veteran
...in 38 SPL cases???
Lazy, the idea of loading hot 357MAG loads in 38 SPL cases is a problem. Some day, somehow, one of those ultra-grand loads will inadvertently get stuffed into a real 38 SPL, and the result will (or at least, COULD BE ) disastrous.
Yeah, I know, the brass is cheap. But the risk is not. Care enough to buy the appropriate brass.
Don't load anything in a 38 SPL case that is not within 38 SPL specs.
And DO buy a couple manuals. Lyman's 49th edition is about the very best, "The ABC's of Reloading" is next. Lee's "Modern Reloading" is generally good reading, too. Then, get the manuals from the powder and bullet mfrs. Read up a bit on the development of loads, and start at the lower limits to work your way up to an accurate load. Those manuals and practices have been right for a hundred years, and still are just as pertinent now as then.
Remember, the load that is "just right" in somebody else's gun may be a real PITA for you.
Flash
Lazy, the idea of loading hot 357MAG loads in 38 SPL cases is a problem. Some day, somehow, one of those ultra-grand loads will inadvertently get stuffed into a real 38 SPL, and the result will (or at least, COULD BE ) disastrous.
Yeah, I know, the brass is cheap. But the risk is not. Care enough to buy the appropriate brass.
Don't load anything in a 38 SPL case that is not within 38 SPL specs.
And DO buy a couple manuals. Lyman's 49th edition is about the very best, "The ABC's of Reloading" is next. Lee's "Modern Reloading" is generally good reading, too. Then, get the manuals from the powder and bullet mfrs. Read up a bit on the development of loads, and start at the lower limits to work your way up to an accurate load. Those manuals and practices have been right for a hundred years, and still are just as pertinent now as then.
Remember, the load that is "just right" in somebody else's gun may be a real PITA for you.
Flash
I got a handfull loaded the other day of 231 and hopefully I will get time this weekend to try them out. this load will be used for blasting at beer cans and small game hunting.
I do not own a .38 gun. It is not that .38 cases are cheaper, its that when I go to buy .357 cases, they are out, or back ordered.
When I decide on a load, I look and see if it has already been done, published data that it has already been done at a greater charge weight from more than one source.
I have found that when I bench my 686, it really likes 158 gn bullets at 900 fps.
I do not own a .38 gun. It is not that .38 cases are cheaper, its that when I go to buy .357 cases, they are out, or back ordered.
When I decide on a load, I look and see if it has already been done, published data that it has already been done at a greater charge weight from more than one source.
I have found that when I bench my 686, it really likes 158 gn bullets at 900 fps.
Clark B
Member
Lazy, in case you haven't figured this out you can fire .38 Spl from a .357 Mag chambered gun. Load the 38 brass to normal .38 Spl loads and have fun shooting stuff with them, they work just fine, nearly always perfect. When you find some .357 Mag cartridges then load .357 power stuff. Learn and live the KISS (Keep It Simple/Stupid) principle.
And just so you know this, the .38 Spl and even weaker cartridges have worked for a long time at putting critters down, including the 2 legged kind if the need should ever arise.
And just so you know this, the .38 Spl and even weaker cartridges have worked for a long time at putting critters down, including the 2 legged kind if the need should ever arise.
The 4.9 grains of 231 in the 38 Special cases worked out good. The Speer 158 grain swaged SWCHP gave the best accuracy in both the model 60 and the Combat Masterpiece.
Ok guys, I managed to get out to do some shooting, and 4.9 of 231 worked fine.
I was able to do some chronographing on sayurday, and at 20 feet.
I did a 10 shot string. Average fps was 874.3
Gun is a 686 4 inch barrel.
833
833
866
853
872
866
893
915
915
897
Then I loaded that same bullet in a 357 case with some 2400, and the fun started. Average on that was 1145.60
I was able to do some chronographing on sayurday, and at 20 feet.
I did a 10 shot string. Average fps was 874.3
Gun is a 686 4 inch barrel.
833
833
866
853
872
866
893
915
915
897
Then I loaded that same bullet in a 357 case with some 2400, and the fun started. Average on that was 1145.60
