Tested 38 Special Loads in My Revolvers

[Tilheyra]

Despite being in the beginning of my reloading journey, I am already seeing the benefit of reloading in both ammunition performance and cost!

Over the last week or so I have been testing a few different loads in my three revolvers that can fire 38 Special. These revolvers are my 2.25" 640-3, 4" 67-5, and 6" 28-2. I am happy to say that I found an accurate and relatively soft shooting load that will work well across all three revolvers, as well as a slightly more potent load that the 67-5 and 28-2 like (all of these loads are within the ranges recommended by Hodgdon and the Lyman 50th edition handbook). The photos I have included show my 640-3 and 67-5 at the range (I tested the rounds with the 28-2 on a separate trip), and also show a close-up of a complete round.

I was using Winchester 231 powder (as I have noted in other threads) and 158 grain Semi Wadcutter bullets. The bullets are from Brazos Precision and have the Hi-Tek coat on them. I have to say I love these bullets due to the lack of smoke and the lack of leading in the revolver barrels! Plus, the price point is excellent!

Not only are these loads accurate, but the price point is something I am excited about as well. My conservative and rounded-up figures point to $11.50 for 50 rounds! I am amazed I can load a full box of 38 Special for that price! I was paying about $18.00 for 50 rounds when I started shooting in 2018, and we all know how insane the prices have been recently.

Needless to say, I am absolutely hooked to reloading, and I appreciate sharing in this part of the gun hobby with everyone!

 

[stansdds]

So by reloading, you have one load that provides the desired accuracy and reduced velocity that makes shooting a pleasure and another load that is accurate and of a velocity that makes it more useful for serious purposes and both within safe minimum and maximum published data? I'd say ya done good! Welcome to the world of reloading. Don't expect to save any money by reloading, just expect to shoot more than you would with factory ammo.

 

[mikld]

I agree 100% with the OP's experience except for the $$$ factor. I started reloading out of curiosity (as I emptied the cylinder of my first 38 Special, I thought "I wonder if I could reuse these?"). I have no idea what my handloads cost, nor do I want to.

 

[yeti]

Nice work. Congrats on quickly finding two good loads!

Once we have component availability again, you will spend the entire remainder of your reloading days trying to top those loads.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Some of us worry about the cost of loading ammo.....
most of us strive for a load that is accurate in a certain weapon......
a few of use are looking for a light recoil, accurate target load ........
and some that want the room to shake, when the round goes off !!

Welcome to the club.

Nice to see you found a few "Gems" early in the game.
Tight groups.

 

[serger]

I hate to tell you this. You're not going to save any money.
You're just going to shoot more.

Been there and done that.

 

[SailorRalph]

I have gun will travel (for Ammo). I have empty casings. In 38 sp and 357. I have been looking at reloaders, but no one has primers. Just purchased a new Python and can't shoot it. I live north of Winston-Salem. I would like ammo, primers and powder. There seems to be plenty of loaders a dies.

 

[Cdog]

Handloading has enabled me to enjoy a lot of firearms and calibers that I otherwise would have never owned.

Yea, I save money per round, but odd and or sometimes older somewhat forgotten calibers are almost impossible to find.

Handloading allowed me to experience them.

 

[lrrifleman]

OP, congratulations on finding loads that meet your needs.

Should you decide to try your hand at casting your own bullets, and powder coating them, you will reduce your reloading costs by perhaps half!

Yes, you may not really save much money, because you can shoot more. However, you are missing a critical advantage, by loading your own, as long as you stockpile: powder, primers, and bullets/lead, you have achieved shooting independence and can still have ammunition when shelves are empty! Remember, with WW231, you can manage close to 1800 rounds per pound, depending upon your chosen charge!

 

[imakmst]

I hate to tell you this. You're not going to save any money.
You're just going to shoot more.

Been there and done that.

second this; I found that I reload to shoot and then shoot to reload

 

[Tilheyra]

I hate to tell you this. You're not going to save any money.
You're just going to shoot more.

Been there and done that.

Good point! Perhaps I should rephrase to say I am getting more value for my money.

 

[GypsmJim]

Welcome to the club. I learned the benefits over 50 years ago.

In my case, 45 years ago I also started casting my own boolets. Thus, my only cost now is for primers and powder.

Back in the 1980's and 90's I came across a few good deals and bought a ton of once fired brass for pennies. Back when a 5 gallon pail of wheel weights cost only a pizza for the guys at the tire shop, I bought tons there as well. I figure all my brass and lead are now amortized m,any times over.

A few days before Covid hit I placed a very large online order for powder and primers, just because they were on sale. The Hazmat fee also was quickly amortized. Boy what timing....LOL.

My 38 spl 50 round box cost is $2.55. Can't beat that.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Started reloading in 1972, started casting my own bullets in 1973. With a mortgage to pay every month and two hungry kids to feed it was the only way I could afford to shoot. Using salvaged range lead and wheel weights I figured my costs for .38 Special and 9mm ammo at about $0.68 per box of 50.

Today, using pre-scamdemic supplies (primers, powder, lead) I am still shooting most handgun calibers for about $3.00 per box of 50.

Without a doubt, I will be adjusting to a new level of expenses now as I renew my stocks of powder, primers, and casting metal. I'll just have to live with that.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

158 LSWC and W231 is one of my favorite combinations. I have been shooting it for almost 20 years. Luckily W231 is one of the few powders I see regularly.
If you want another fun project, get your hands on some 148gr LHBWC's (Hollow Base Wad Cutter) and load them at the low side with W231, seated flush with the case mouth.

 

[BigGee]

Next time, try the Brazos round nose - I get tighter groups with those v's the SWC's.

 

[rwsmith]

Happy reloader....

Since 1980.

 

[sourdough44]

I think Win-231 is a great powder for the 38 spcl, light to +p loads.

 

[BB57]

I have gun will travel (for Ammo). I have empty casings. In 38 sp and 357. I have been looking at reloaders, but no one has primers. Just purchased a new Python and can't shoot it. I live north of Winston-Salem. I would like ammo, primers and powder. There seems to be plenty of loaders a dies.

Primers are in short supply here in NC for sure. However I spent a month in South Dakota ag flying and pretty much everyone had primers.

Scheels (a more local chain version of Cabelas or Bass Pro Shops) was well stocked on bullets and had a few powders in stock at both the locations I visited.

Runnings (like a Tractor Supply but with guns, ammo and reloading supplies) had small pistol, large pistol and large rifle in stock pretty much the whole time I was there. With a 2 box per customer per day limit I still came home with about 3000 of each.

Consequently I came back with about 9000 primers, 6-7 pounds each of H335, HS-6, HP-38 and a couple pounds of Tite Group and Power Pistol.

They also had .22 LR available in some form or another. I got 600 or so rounds of CCI SV but 8000 rounds of Aquila high velocity test works well for plinking.

The best part of it was that the prices were at more or less prepandemic normal with none of the price gouging I see down here in NC when .22 LR, primers, powders and bullets are available. I think availability reflects the fact that the stores in question place larger orders and are preferred customers. The fact that someone usually has things in stock curbs any panic buying or hoarding - by the locals at least.

The reasonable prices partly reflects the reality of doing business in a lower wage state, along with the current availability. But more importantly it reflects the fact that many of the locals think like I do (it's my home state) and if you price gouge, I won't forget or forgive and you'll lose my business for literally years afterwards.

 

[TXBryan]

I agree 100% with the OP's experience except for the $$$ factor. I started reloading out of curiosity (as I emptied the cylinder of my first 38 Special, I thought "I wonder if I could reuse these?"). I have no idea what my handloads cost, nor do I want to.

I like this sentiment. Been reloading since I was 16 and have enjoyed it all the way. It represents a fabulous analytical outlet and activity.

Agreeing with mikld I think it's wise to resist the temptation to "know" what your costs are for things you enjoy - and for more than just handloading.

When I started my first "real" job I foolishly calculated what I was making vs. my CEO (of a Fortune 50 company). He made the equivalent of my annual salary every week. This did little to satisfy or motivate and wasn't relevant to anything - just stupidity. Pretty sure we've got the cost of whitetail deer down around $800 a pound but, so far, have resisted the actual calculation because we enjoy a healthy deer herd.

Life is short and there's some math better left undone.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My favorite goto .38 Special loads are made with W231.
148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231 w/CCI-500 primer.
148gr HBWC over 3.2gr W231 w/CCI-500 primer.
158gr SWC over 4.0gr W231 w/CCI-500 primer.

You never told us your recipe.

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