Powder for 38 Special Lever Action Rifle

[Tilheyra]

The recent discussion on powders has gotten me thinking about potential loads for my 38/357 Rossi 92 lever action. I have been able to find good information on 357 Magnum loads for my lever action, so I have already determined potential powders for that (IMR-4227 or H110 for hotter loads and CFP Pistol for moderate loads). However, published data on 38 Special rounds in rifles is not easy to come by in the various sources I have accessed (the sources date within the last 10 years). I am wondering what powders might be recommended for 38 Special in rifles.

My current loads for my revolvers use Winchester 231 with 158 gr SWC bullets. These revolver loads remain within the recommended ranges from the Hodgdon website and Lyman's 50th Edition reloading book. Would Winchester 231 provide adequate performance for fun, target rounds in 38 Special for this rifle? Should I be looking for a different powder?

Does anyone know of published and relatively current data for 38 Special rifle loads (and we can add 38+P into this as well)?

I am also open to comments/recommendations concerning the potential 357 Magnum powders I discussed above.

 

[mtgianni]

I use the same Bullseye, Unique and Herco loads I do in a revolver when shooting 38 specials.

 

[Dave Haynes]

At 1000 shots to the pound it is hard to beat Bullseye. Just make sure you don't double charge a case. Use a board and look inside each primed charged case. You should be doing this for everything. A double load of Bullseye will take a S&W apart.

For more powerful loads switch to Unique or Herco. I prefer Unique because it works well in 45 ACP as well. You can load up a .38 Spl to 357 stats if you want to go that far. Red Dot is also a good 38 powder. I have never loaded to max velocities. It is hard on the brass, the gun and the shooter.

 

[max503]

unique and a lead boolit

 

[LostintheOzone]

I don't see any reason to distinguish a difference between rifle and revolver loads. 38 spl is already a low velocity, low pressure load. If you want more juice just shoot 357 in your rifle.

 

[The Norseman]

.38Special + P

What a coincidence. Just researching the .38Spl. I'm
getting ready to reload some. This go around I'm
using Hodgdon HP-38. These will be Revolver reloads.

Speer Bullets has a good Internet site with Reload Data.
They have + P data.

The best to you and your endeavors.

 

[twodog max]

I just use the same 38 special loads I use in revolvers in my Rossi 92. I mostly use 231 in the 38.

 

[growr]

Depends on your intended useage.....my SASS revolvers and rifles all use the same load with 158 RN and 4 gr. of Unique.....very mild.

POA and POI remain the same which is very nice!

Randy

 

[Goldstar225]

My standard light load for my Marlin .357 is a 158 LSWC over 3.5 grains of W231/HP38. Out of my 18.5 inch barrel it chronographs at +/- 900 fps.

 

[Moe Mentum]

Same load as pistol, HP38 with 158 grain bullet.

 

[moosedog]

A slower burning powder will give more velocity with the longer barrel but would require a tight crimp and a magnum primer.

 

[mikerjf]

And in that vein, I noticed a 38Sp load in my old Lyman 45th (1970) p171.

158g cast lead, max of 11.0g of 2400, yielding 1010 fps in a 6" barrel. Would be interesting to see what the slow powder does in a rifle.

 

[Tilheyra]

Thank you all! I was wondering if I should even be making a distinction between my revolver and rifle loads in 38 Special (as noted by some here). I admit I have not had the opportunity to test my 38 Special revolver loads in my Rossi 92, so I'll start there to see how that goes. I have a good load that all of my revolvers capable of firing the caliber like, so let's hope the Rossi likes it too.

I think if I need to make a special load for the Rossi, I'll compare load data for Winchester 231 and Unique and go from there.

Once again, thank you all for the feedback!

 

[ddixie884]

I too would try 2400...........

 

[monsai52]

I like HS-6 and a 158gr High Tech coated bullet.

Best regards,

 

[max503]

I use the Lee 124 grain TLTC bullet for 38 special. This bullet is designed for the 9mm but I like it for 38's. In the rifle they get powder coated and sized to .358. For handgun they get tumble lubed and fired un-sized. All with Unique. I can load them on my Dillion without changing any settings. That's what I like. Keeps numerous guns fed with ammo.

 

[target tech]

Little warning from someone who has been there. Plated bullets, normal .38 special pistol loads and lever action length barrels don't mix. Plated bullets require a lot more velocity than I realized for rifle barrels.

 

[squidsix]

For silly messing about, its a full case Trail Boss under a 158 grain lead flat nose in the Rossi 92.

 

[Dale53]

I would like to suggest that it is prudent to never load .38 Specials for the rifle hotter than you would use in your revolvers. Sooner or later, an accident could occur when you accidentally get a hot rifle load in your revolver.

Another caution, is mentioned above, regarding the use or plated or jacketed bullets in low velocity loads (the possibility of sticking a bullet in the barrel of the rifle. I would solve that without a problem by never shooting any jacketed or plated .38's in the rifle. Just simply use cast bullets in .38's for the rifle.

That is easy for me as I use my home cast bullets almost exclusively in my pistol caliber handguns and rifles...

FWIW
Dale53

 

[68Dave]

Your Rossi could handle very hot .38 loads that would potentially damage a small .38 pistol. I would just use the same data as pistol rounds, and go to .357 for the hotter stuff.
David