Pigirondan
Member
.38 Special 158 grain hard cast SWC over 4.0 grains of Red Dot. +P or less?
Red Dot Load
- Thread starter Pigirondan
- Start date
5906fan
Member
should be around +P at about 900 fps.
I'd call that +P.
5906fan
Member
a brother-in-law loads shotgun and R Dot is his favorite powder, I traded him out of 1/4lb of it after seeing load data for it with cast slugs. it has replaced my previous BullsEye for cast slugs.
and the data you post is what I use for 'target' loads for my and nephew's .357's w/cast 158gr. shoots great but has a little 'oomph' to it. R Dot is also a 'low flash' powder.
and the data you post is what I use for 'target' loads for my and nephew's .357's w/cast 158gr. shoots great but has a little 'oomph' to it. R Dot is also a 'low flash' powder.
ballistic
Member
38 Spcl. loads
The Alliant reloaders guide I have, dated 1996, shows 158g. LSWC:
3.4 grains of Red Dot max standard pressure 38 Spcl. at 793 fps.
3.8 grains of Red Dot +P 38 Spcl at 846 fps.
All loads with Speer brass and bullets, CCI primers, 1.440" OAL.
Barrel length not listed.
Granted, most modern published 38 Spcl loads are very mild.
I have no doubt 4.0 grains is safe, unless the gun is very old or poor quality. What gun do you want to shoot these with?
I've seen 4.0 grains or somewhat more listed from some other sources, Speer No. 11 is much higher.
Red Dot is a very fast powder, similar to Bullseye.
I would use a slower powder if I wanted to push the limit of this cartridge.
I have used lots of Red Dot in 45 acp and 44 Spcl with great results.
My powder measure is not very consistent throwing less than 4.0 grains of Red Dot, so I usually use 231 for my 38 Spcl target loads.
The Alliant reloaders guide I have, dated 1996, shows 158g. LSWC:
3.4 grains of Red Dot max standard pressure 38 Spcl. at 793 fps.
3.8 grains of Red Dot +P 38 Spcl at 846 fps.
All loads with Speer brass and bullets, CCI primers, 1.440" OAL.
Barrel length not listed.
Granted, most modern published 38 Spcl loads are very mild.
I have no doubt 4.0 grains is safe, unless the gun is very old or poor quality. What gun do you want to shoot these with?
I've seen 4.0 grains or somewhat more listed from some other sources, Speer No. 11 is much higher.
Red Dot is a very fast powder, similar to Bullseye.
I would use a slower powder if I wanted to push the limit of this cartridge.
I have used lots of Red Dot in 45 acp and 44 Spcl with great results.
My powder measure is not very consistent throwing less than 4.0 grains of Red Dot, so I usually use 231 for my 38 Spcl target loads.
