Pet loads for 38 cal long line..

Al W.

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Shooting bullseye with a revolver at 50yards.
Anyone have a pet load that they might recommend ?
I've had my best results with 125gr lead over 2.8 BE.
Very accurate, but wonder if a 110 gr JHP over 3.5 might get the
job done at 50 yards.
Tried 110x4gr and that was a bit much...
Any ideas ? I know the drill with the 148 HBWC over 2.8 BE, I've shot plenty of that but somehow the 125 gr cowboy load works best for me.
 
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I've been testing loads for the 125 gr High Tek Coated Missouri Lead Bullets recently using Bullseye and Unique. At 50 yards off the bench, I've found that 5.5 grs of Unique out of my S&W 38/44 gives the tightest group at 50yrds.
 
Over the years I have found that most pistols like a light target load and

also like a medium or even a full standard factory load for tight groups.


You just need to find the "Sweet spots" and see what powders, get you there.

Have fun.
 
You are the only one to answer that question as you are the only one who has access to your revolver. Results from anyone else’s revolver and any given load could be much different in your gun.

And anyone expecting magic at the 50 yard line just because they have the “best” load still needs tons of practice. You’ll have tons of time to find the best load while practicing revolver shooting at 50 yards.
 
For Bullseye competition I like a full wadcutter best. Using a LRN bullet can be questionable when trying to decide if you cut a line or not. That question goes away with a LWC bullet.

My 2 loads are:
148gr HBWC over 3.2gr W231
148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231
My guns like the above loads. (6" M14 and a 4" M&P)

Some guns like a 3.0gr charge with the HBWC and a 3.3gr charge with the DEWC.
 
(6" M14 and a 4" M&P)

Some guns like a 3.0gr charge with the HBWC and a 3.3gr charge with the DEWC.

My M14 is a solid performer. I've been running 2.9gr BE under the HBWC. I like the wad cutter effect for scoring , but I see tighter groups with the RNL. Think its the difference in recoil between the 148 and 125 gr projectile.
 
You are talking 125 lead. I just bought a new Lee mold and 125's with 3.6 of Titegroup are doing less than 1.5'' with 10 shots benching at 25 yards with my model 19-3. It's a good looking flat base sized at .358. I will try to do 50 yards this weekend. If it don't print good at 50 I can change powder or change the speed. This is a first try so there is promise with this bullet and a wheel gun. I have a new to me 6'' 586 to try also.
 

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For Bullseye competition I like a full wadcutter best. Using a LRN bullet can be questionable when trying to decide if you cut a line or not. That question goes away with a LWC bullet.

My 2 loads are:
148gr HBWC over 3.2gr W231
148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231
My guns like the above loads. (6" M14 and a 4" M&P)

Some guns like a 3.0gr charge with the HBWC and a 3.3gr charge with the DEWC.
Agree with this one - the 231 under a plated hollow base wadcutter is my favorite load for 38 Special. Very accurate.
 
You are talking 125 lead. I just bought a new Lee mold and 125's with 3.6 of Titegroup are doing less than 1.5'' with 10 shots benching at 25 yards with my model 19-3. It's a good looking flat base sized at .358. I will try to do 50 yards this weekend. If it don't print good at 50 I can change powder or change the speed. This is a first try so there is promise with this bullet and a wheel gun. I have a new to me 6'' 586 to try also.

I've been running 3 gr of BE , with good results. For the long line might be 3.5 would get er' done with out changing the rear sight.
I'll give that a go this week. I like the lower recoil of the 125gr projectile rather than the 148 HBWC. I'm thinking that there must be a reason other than the uniform hole that's kept people using that HBWC . I guess the last few years I've been shooting more 22LR and less center fire , so I've become more recoil sensitive....
 
I've been running 3 gr of BE , with good results. For the long line might be 3.5 would get er' done with out changing the rear sight.
I'll give that a go this week. I like the lower recoil of the 125gr projectile rather than the 148 HBWC. I'm thinking that there must be a reason other than the uniform hole that's kept people using that HBWC . I guess the last few years I've been shooting more 22LR and less center fire , so I've become more recoil sensitive....

I'm going back to Bullseye or American Select when I shoot these up. I still haven't shot at fifty yards yet. The cases are clean with Titegroup but the outside of the cylinder is more dirty.
 
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