Tightgroup powder in .38 S&W?

[Kiwi cop]

I am getting ready to reload .38 S&W for my Victory model, and I have an issue with powder.

Previously I have used ADI powder, but it is not available in Kiwiland right now, and may not be again in the future.

My next choice was HP-38, as I can use it in both .38 S&W and .32 S&W Long, but none is available.

WIN 231 was my third choice, as it is almost identical to HP-38 and uses identical charges, but again I can't find anyone to sell me some.

I have a good supply of Tightgroup which I use in 9mm, .38 Special, .45ACP and 44.40. I have Tightgroup loading data from Hodgson for .32 S&W Long. I have load date in .38 SPecial that shows almost identical charges of HP-38, Win 231 and Tightgroup in .38 SPecial (Tightgroup loading being .1 gn heavier than both HP-38 and Win231 for both min and max loads).

What I do not have is any load data for Tightgroup in .38 S&W!

In .32 S&W Long with 98 gn LHBWC I have a min for HP-38 of 1.9 gn and a max of 2.3 gn.

In the same calibre for Tightgroup Min is 1.8 gn and max load 2 gn. A starting load .1 gn below both HP-38 and Win 231.

In .38 Special with 158 gn cast lead there are loads for both HP-38 and Win 231 of a min 3.1 gn and a max 3.7 gn, and for Tightgroup min 3.2 gn, max 3.8 gn, .1 gn above the other two powders.

In .38 S&W I have a HP-38 load with a 145 gn lead bullet of 2.2 gn with a max of 2.5 gn. In Win 231 there is no min load and a max of 2.6 gn.

I am thinking, to be on the safe side, of using a starting load of 2 gn Tightgroup for the .38S&W (in fact I am considering the 2 gn charge in both .32 S&W Long as well s .38 S&W).

Before I even sit down at my loading bench I thought I would ask the collected wisdom here if anyone has any loads for Tightgroup in the .38 S&W, and if not is my starting load realistic?

 

[mike campbell]

I think your plan is just fine. Start light enough to be confident it's safe, and heavy enough to not expect a squib (what else constitutes a min?). If the 2 grains goes bang and extraction is easy, you're in the ball park. Not looking to kill bears, so what remains is accuracy. If 2 grains seemed plausible, I'd play up and down in 0.1 grain increments to see if there's an accuracy edge. Good luck.

FWIW, my 38 S&W shoots best with WW231(HP38) but I never tried Tightgroup and wasn't into VVN310 yet.

 

[Igiveup]

I loaded 500 rnds. with Unique. Good results.

 

[alwslate]

Lyman 3rd edition Pistol and Revolver manual shows Titegroup at 2.0-2.2 grs with a 150gr cast SWC. And 1.9-2.2 grs with a 160 gr cast RN for the .38 S&W.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Herco works well if you have any or Red Dot if not .

 

[DWalt]

Titegroup is very similar in performance to Bullseye. In a Victory, you will have no problem going up to 3.5 grains if you wish. Slower powders like Unique and similar work better if you want heavier loads. The Victories will handle heavy .38 S&W loads easily. Old topbreaks, not so much. The Lyman loads given previously above are for use in old topbreaks, and are very anemic. It is simple to load the .38 S&W to give .38 Special ballistics in a solid frame revolver, and some of the boutique ammo loaders in the USA make such loads.

The main problem with reloading for a Victory is coming up with a load (both propellant and bullet) that will hit close to the point of aim at whatever distance you wish. It takes some experimentation.