Some basic questions on 38 spl

[Jal5]

I have a 357 Mod. 66-2, 6 in. barrel, SS- My first time reloading for this caliber. I will start with 38 spl loads using Unique and Hornady 158 gr HP/XTP. I wanted to try Titegroup but couldn't find any locally. These will be mixed brass from the range, I cleaned,resized,deprimed yesterday. I noticed one case has a definite crimp mark around the mouth about 1/4 in. down---is it usable still?

Hornadys 7th ed. manual calls for 3.9-4.8gr of Unique. Anyone use this load..how is the performance? Looking for a mild round for starters. Then I will work my way up to 357 mag loads as I get more experience with this gun. thanks.
Joe

 

[Jal5]

I have a 357 Mod. 66-2, 6 in. barrel, SS- My first time reloading for this caliber. I will start with 38 spl loads using Unique and Hornady 158 gr HP/XTP. I wanted to try Titegroup but couldn't find any locally. These will be mixed brass from the range, I cleaned,resized,deprimed yesterday. I noticed one case has a definite crimp mark around the mouth about 1/4 in. down---is it usable still?

Hornadys 7th ed. manual calls for 3.9-4.8gr of Unique. Anyone use this load..how is the performance? Looking for a mild round for starters. Then I will work my way up to 357 mag loads as I get more experience with this gun. thanks.
Joe

 

[dennis40x]

That appears to be a mild load. In the Lyman 49th edition 4.7grs is the suggested starting load with a maximum of 5.0grs employing Unique and a Hornady 158gr JHP #35750.

 

[Jellybean]

The crimp mark you mentioned sounds like a cannelure in the case. Some manufacturers used to put these in to keep the bullet from being pushed back too far in the case. It shouldn't cause you any trouble.

 

[FrankD45]

Hey Joe:

Welcome to the forum.

I have lots of brass that has a cannelure pressed in. I am not sure why, however it is not a problem. As far as starting loads are concerned I would suggest starting at the mid-point of the range and then work your way up. One other point, if you are planning on shooting a lot of 38 Specials in a 357 Magnum, it would be a good idea to load some light 357 cases instead. Firing 38's in a 357 will lead to a build up of residue in the chambers that can inhibit chambering a 357 round later. If you do fire 38's, make certain you clean the charge holes thoroughly.

I hope that helps,

Frank

 

[Jal5]

thanks guys for the replies. I will be starting with 38s and move into light loads for the 357 so that shouldn't be a problem. A little more cleaning with the 38s.

Does Lyman's manual recommend small pistol primers or large? Both Lee and hornady recommend small primers. All I have in house right now are lg. pistol and both lg. and sm. magnum pistol primers. I have to buy some sm. primers anyway to stock up.

 

[44forever]

Large pistol primers won't fit in the primer pockets of .38 special brass. You shouldn't need magnum primers for .38 special loads using Unique, standard small pistol primers will work fine.

 

[Littledragon777]

I found the following load extemely accurate in my old Highway Patrolman and a lot of fun to shoot.

Win 158gr JHP
5.5 grains of AA#5
CCI Small pistol primers
C.O.L. 1.43"

 

[Skip Sackett]

One thing to take caution of. After shooting 38spl in a 357mag firearm there is a carbon ring that needs to be cleaned out before shooting ANY of the longer bullets in it.

 

[Steve C]

The load in the Hornady book is a bit light but its their bullet and data so its probably best to follow it. Manufacturers do not load nor list data to maximum SAAMI pressure, they only stay below the maximum SAAMI pressure and how far they choose to stay below it varies. Usually the load range in the manuals are where the best accuracy lies.

Since you are going to fire these rounds in a .357 mag you can choose your load anywhere within the .38 spl range (standard to +P) given in the manual and be assured that they will be safe in your pistol as its designed to fire ammo at roughly 2X the highest .38 spl +P level.

As to mild loads, I'd recommend that you do not drop below a start level listed, esp with a jacketed bullet, as too low a charge can result in a stuck bullet in the barrel. Any .38 spl is relatively mild compared to the .357 mag.

Jacketed bullets are rather expensive to use for really mild target loads and are more for hunting, self defense or self defense level practice. In the .38 spl the lead bullets from Hornady or Speer work well for target shooting in either 158gr LRN, LSWC or 148gr WC bullets. At .38 spl velocities and pressures the swagged bullets from Hornady and Speer are the cleaner choice than commercial hard cast unless you buy from a supplier that will provide softer bullets for cowboy loads. Hard cast will usually lead at .38 spl pressures. If you cast your own and can control size and hardness there are ways to optimize your bullets for the particular application you want to shoot but thats a whole other hobby. Those of us who have to buy commercial bullets just have to find what works the best.

 

[Jal5]

thanks for the replies. I will be looking to buy some lead bullets in the near future but nobody had any in town now that everyone is stocking up! Saw some online at Dardas Bullets today that look good and the price is right. Anyone have experience with them? Company is in Michigan I believe.
Joe

 

[Jal5]

Just thought I would update this. I did load those 38s with Unique/XTP bullets. The pattern wasn't too impressive with any of the loadings, I used 5 different powder amounts and did a 5 shot group for each. but that was my first experience shooting this gun and I got more used to it as I continued shooting. I have one target from that group that I can use and load another set with some higher powder wgt and some lower wgt to see what I can do.

Loaded another lot with Unique/LSWC from Dardas. Those were fun and patterned pretty good, 1.25" 3 shot group on one loading and another one with 2 shots touching but I pulled 2 more in that group of 4.

My question is since the range of powder for that bullet is very small, from 4-4.3gr in Lee and 3.3-4.2 from Hornady, if my best targets were those at 3.9gr and 4.0gr. do I just make up a bunch more in both those powder weights and see if it patterns consistently?

My other difficulty shooting these yesterday was the ice and frozen ground required setting up the target almost on the earth berm and pacing off 20 paces close to 20 yds and firing offhand, no rest/bags or sticks. I think the patterns would have been a lot better even if just off sticks...shooter error