Powder for 38 Special Lever Action Rifle

[TIMETRIPPER]

My standard 38 Special load id 3.5 gr of bullseye and my own 158 gr RN or SWC bullets cast from Lyman molds. Brinnel hardness is usually around 12-14. They work fine in my 16" barrel Rossi 92.
My hunting loads for my .357 magnum revolvers was around 14 grains of 2400 and they also are great in the 92. 2400 burns cleaner in the longer barrel too.
Have had no feed issues with the SWC bullets, though I have read where some shooters do have problems.

John

 

[Nevada Ed]

I tried 2400 in 38 specil cases and I was not a happy camper with the returns
when all the other faster burning powders did as well or better in the accuracy department..........
speed is secondary, in my book.

HS-6 was the slowest powder that I will use in the 38 case, since I save
Blue Dot for +P 9mm loads, with one can left.

 

[ddixie884]

Current published 2400 data doesn't have enough pressure to burn cleanly in .38spl.

 

[Tilheyra]

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

I was thinking of using different bullets for each load. However, I can foresee that plan only working if someone knows that (and if I remember and pay attention). Not that I don't pay attention, but one slip up can be costly...

What this thread is showing me is that I should just try those 38 Special revolver loads in the Rossi 92. If I want something hotter, I should then go to 357 Magnum.

 

[Pisgah]

I assume you have an accuracy load or two for your revolvers. Try them in your rifle and you may have to look no further.

 

[ameridaddy]

A repost -
My 18" Uberti 1873 replica loves .38.Spec. Penn 158 gr. lead RNFP, Accurate No. 5, 5.9gr; COAL = 1.455-1.460
Stock buckhorn/bead sights 100 yd zero gives:
Range Muzzle 25 50 75 100 125
Trajectory -0.7" 2.7" 4" 3.2" 0" -5.5"

I worked up .38 instead of .357 because I have lots more .38 spec brass.
No leading, no feed problems, no recoil, chrono avg 1088 fps.
Kinda like a .22 on steroids.