Reloading for fixed-sight revolvers?

[lago]

Are 38 Special fixed-sight revolvers designed for a specific bullet wt? I haven't loaded any pistol ammo in the last 20 years but I seem to recall that 158gn was the norm. Now, most of the factory ammo I see is 130gn.

Guns in question are all 38 Spec: older revolver(about 1947), Model 60 Lady Smith and Model 64.

Should I stick with 158gn or consider a different bullet wt?

Lago

 

[805moparkid]

new to reloading but i think that would be more of a powder adjustment. pick your bullet and adjust powder

 

[nicky4968]

Once you have an accurate load (that is, they group close together), you can adjust your point of impact by varying your grip. Nothing big, just a mite lower, higher, tighter, looser. At any reasonable range you should be okay.
Generally speaking, you should stay near the bullet weight your pistol was originally sighted with.
Broccoli is okay, but I prefer sauerkraut with my sausages.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Are 38 Special fixed-sight revolvers designed for a specific bullet wt? I haven't loaded any pistol ammo in the last 20 years but I seem to recall that 158gn was the norm. Now, most of the factory ammo I see is 130gn.

Guns in question are all 38 Spec: older revolver(about 1947), Model 60 Lady Smith and Model 64.

Should I stick with 158gn or consider a different bullet wt?

Lago

My understanding is that the fixed sights on standard production 38 Special revolvers were set for 158 grain standard velocity. Some LE contract guns may have had different front sights (one that comes to mind were Model 10s sold to agencies using the "Treasury Load").

I would try a 158 grain at standard velocity first.

 

[Cdog]

Bullet weight is the most effective choice. That way you're not choosing powder puff or +p to get the desired poi.

 

[Nevada Ed]

With different burn powders and velositys that a reloader can come up with the use of a "Chrony" he can tweek a bullet weight to shoot low or high...............

I can get a 125 LRN, 148wc and 158gr lead bullet to hit dead center ,after finding the correct powder and velosity.

A little harder with the 125 and 110gr JHP in the snub nose but it can be done if you put your time into your test. I gave up on the 110 for target use and only one powder will work with the 125 jhp.............RedDot, in my snub nose.

Just takes time.................fixed sight snub nose M49 at 10 feet.

 

[hotrod150]

Depends on what you use it for, but for self-defense use why load a light bullet to low velocities so you can hit point of aim? My snubbies shoot to POA with a 158 gr SWC at 800-850 fps, pretty much the same for a 148 gr DEWC at the same or slightly higher speed, but they shot high with a 110 gr JHP at about 1000.
I think the 158 lead SWC-HP is the better defense load so that's alright with me.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Let me rephrase that...........
Yes a 110 Jhp SD load can be near a POA in a snub nose, as with this one that is equal to a Cor-Bon loading in my M49.

However it has more recoil than some larger bullets that I use for SD in my snub nose..........which tend to penetrate a little more in heavy clothing, but I think it has enough energy to get the job done .

 

[Skip Sackett]

Where your bullet hits the target is the result of two things........Dwell time and recoil.

Dwell time is how long the bullet stays in the barrel and recoil is how high the muzzle lifts in that amount of time.

That is why heavier bullets hit higher on the target at short range and lighter ones hit lower.

USUALLY, a lighter bullet has less dwell time because the velocity is more, and the lighter weight of the bullet causes less recoil. The heavier bullet goes slower, stays in the barrel longer, and that barrel is lifting higher because of the amount of recoil.


Physics 101!

 

[mtgianni]

Find and accurate load that does what you want your gun to do. File the sights to move the group to zero.