Powder puff loads - 38 Spl

[elpac3]

I have used 2.8 gr of Bullseye behind a Hornaday 158 gr Lead SWC for 30 years in my 4" Model 19, 6" model 14 and 2" model 36 and never had any problems. Used these loads back when I was shooting IPSAC many years back - excellent accuracy, minimal recoil but a little dirty.

 

[Nevada Ed]

With the weight of a model 19 , you will have minimum recoil with a 158gr lead bullet and the starting load of 4.0 grs of Unique, no matter what your barrel length is.

Over the years my 19 and new 686 had to have at least 4.0grs of Unique to get a steady ES on my fps and this needed a med hvy crimp to make my loads half way accurate.

If you want a light target load most use a 148wc and Bullseye or w231..........a 158gr will work for targets but it needs around 755 fps in a 6 inch barrel or 600 fps in a snub nose for
a fun load that will hit what you are aiming at.

Good luck with the 3.5 loads but I think you will find that more powder will group better.

 

[gwalchmai]

I've had good luck with 2.7gr of Titegroup under a 158gr LSWC. It's a little dirty but very light recoil.

Be careful with TG, though. Eyeball every charge.

 

[iouri]

I make 3.5 Clays with 125gr plated bullet for my 8 y.o. son to shoot out of my 686 4" - he loves it - it's more than 22 but kid can still handle it safely and it gives him great deal of excitement about dealing with "recoil"

 

[kamloops67]

i regularly shoot 158 lrn from 38spl cases using 3.1 of bullseye or 3.8 of 231 when using my cowboy guns VERY little recoil .i have had a number of "first time" children and ladies try my guns with no surprises.
if you must use unique i would try the printed minimum first .although i know a lot of guys that shoot lighter than suggested minimums i dont see the need they are light enough already for me.
also as suggested use plugs and muffs .

 

[LoboGunLeather]

For several years in PPC shooting competition and practice my standard load was a 150-grain cast SWC (lubri-sizer die @ .358" with NRA formula Alox lube), standard primer, 5.0 grains Unique, firm roll crimp. Shot thousands through my 6" Model 19. Accurate (in my revolver), easily controlled, easy cleaning (sooty but not difficult to remove residue).

 

[andyo5]

158g RNFP with 4.5g of Unique is my competition/target load.

 

[BruMatt]

Range report: I ran 50 rounds of 3.5 gr Unique through my air weight snubbies and they were not as "dirty" as I had expected. They worked great for close range snap shooting practice and the recoil was not uncomfortable. It is not a load for accuracy and I would be cautious in any longer barrel guns but it may have a purpose for snubbie practice. As with any load, use with caution. With this one, be sure to see the hole on the target before firing another round.

 

[DanWales]

Light Loads for .38.

I have discovered for my 642 I use 231 exclusively just happen to have plenty around this area of central Florida.

I have been shooting Friendship 148 DEWC bullets with 3.3 231 at 1.395 - 4. I have been using Tula and CCI primers. No problems yet.

Nice little light load at 5 yards we have several women who like to shoot the 642. I have a CT Laser and on most days you can see it, even when you can't at 5 yards or less point and shoot is easy.

I've developed into a 231. WST & 2400 man.

231 / WST for all my .38's .45's / 2400 for 357's.

I'm too old and the prices to high to fool around those three powders work great in all my guns.

Back in the day many, many moons ago trap shooting it was Red Dot which just happens to work good for the .45 too.

Dan

 

[PeteT]

Not a published load, but something I've used successfully in the past to introduce my wife to a Model 36:

Lee 95 grain Makarov cast bullet, sized to .358"
A minimum of 1.5 grains of Red Dot. 2.0 grains of Red Dot also works well for a low recoil, low noise load. No problems with squibs in a 2" barrel, but I've never used it in anything longer. Hits very low due to the light recoil- velocity and energy on a par with a good slingshot.

I load .38 S&W with this bullet (sized to .362") with 3.5 grains of Unique and it shoots very well- in fact that's the only load I use in .38 S&W. It chronographs just over 1000 FPS through my 5" Victory. Not much bang and very little recoil... and would do just as well in a Special case.

PeteT.

 

[Hook686]

I have been loading 158 grain Lead bullets for my J-Frame using 4.2 grains of Unique and magnum primers. This is not a mild load in a light weight J-Frame at about 730 fps, but then I do not think there is such a thing.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Funny how loading data changes over the years.................

Old 45th has 3.5 as a starting load with the 158 lead while the new data has 4.0grs as a starting load.

Then when you think the data is correct, you go out and buy a chrony and open another can of worms !!