. I went to the grocery store to buy a loath of bread.. .38 Special (Alliant Data) Warning! 6.) Replaced w/ Altamont laminated wood, and later w/ open- back Pachmayrs- the less-pronounced finger grooves fit me better. You are spot on about Trail Boss, that stuff is magical with cast reloads. I once rented a Ruger LCR in .38 Special. But I would only be caught dead with one in my hands if I had to use one for self defense (pun intended). Notes: Bbl Length: 5.6; primer: Fed. 38 special is a great cartridge. You gotta try the S&W M342 Airlight TI. Just an FYI. I have tried several different grips before finding the one that worked for me. IIRC, I used 4.5 gr of Bullseye under a 125 gr lead bullet for a light plinker, and 5.6 gr of Bullseye under a 148 gr wadcutter (~815 fps, 4" bbl, probably around 750 fps out of a snub). Interesting. The Internet Pedant Your email address will not be published. The mild recoil of the mid-range load is a perfect mate to the .38s that most shooters own these daysthe airweight J-Frame or equivalent. Even better, is get some 38 S&W brass. Would you like to react to this message? Be careful about published sources (and doubly so about internet sources), regarding maximum loads for the 38 special. want me to write up an article about 3d printed .38 special bullets that Ive been working? Just got back into reloading 38 special again after a long hiatus with no revolver, and was instantly reminded of what a joy it is to reload. Im also impressed by the apparent durability of your Airweight J-frame. Did you cross post the bullet weight? JHP, 158 gr. Bonus is that dont need magnum Primers for these reloads. have been factored in, but Looks like starting with roughly 4.2 of W231. Alliant listed 3.6 gr Bullseye as maximum (15000 psi) in 38 Special and 3.8 as max in 38 Special PLUS P (17000 psi) with 158 LSWC bullets. (bullseyeforum.net). Wadcutters are tailor made for lightweight snubbie practice, allowing shooters to enjoy shooting the pocket guns. Enter 38 Special. I shoot almost exclusively cast lead from my handguns. If youre recoil averse (and dont have a disability of some kind), its because you havent shot it enough. 110gr JHP! There is one good reason to use WST. As an old bullseye guy I've stuck with Bullseye powder for almost 30yearsusing lead bullets. A longer case, with have a tighter crimp them a shorter one, what will lead to variations in pressure, and accuracy. revolver, with a 3 barrel, and 4 6 oz. The Speers do occasionally and the Magnus a little more. What I have found most remarkable is how well some pistols that typically fling wide groups have clustered the semiwadcutters.
Understanding Reloading Formulas .38 Spl | Shooters' Forum The 158 gr cast plain base accuracy load was 4.0 gr 231 which gave 837 Fps and 15,900 psi. CorBon Self Defense, 38 Special, 125 Grain, Jacketed Hollow Point, +P, 20 Round Box 38125 looks like today.
New to Reloading-Unique powder recipes for .38 special The proof pressure MAP specified by SAAMI is 29,500 psi for both rounds. The load is a great learning tool in .45 for beginner and experienced alike. Like Wobbly. Most people have one general power level for their semi-autos due to the fact that the guns wont function with ammo thats not energetic enough to cycle the slide. Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. After making a healthy pile of brass with this load, I am unlikely to ever be without a few boxes of it on standby. Ive not had a handgun entirely reject either load, so the recipe seems to be a worthy third alongside the previous .38 and .45. Most of these are at the upper end. I started reloading 38 special as my first cartridge 8 years ago when I was 22, soooo.I have an old mans soul? The powder charges used for .38 are forgiving. hebyta I load it almost exclusively though with either a powder coated or plated 125 grn bullet.
A .38 Special mystery---what is the reason for this load? are you loading .38 special brass, or .357 magnum brass? At belly button range, very nasty load. I bought a Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull last year ahead of a hunt up in Wyoming. I am loath to shoot several cylinders of standard pressure/velocity .38 Special 125 grain bullets out of a Smith and Wesson Model 642 revolver (or similar). I, like Spartacus, find the SAAMI recommendations an interesting spec for comparative purposes. in a belt holster at 4:00. I first started reloading 40+ years ago at a Lee Loader in .38 Special for a brand new Smith & Wesson Model 66 I had just purchased. I am way shy of 70 years old and I love me some .38 Special. Very forgiving with a straight wall case, and tons of bullet variety. How can I tell if they are cast or swaged? These are light and easy to shoot. Also compared a S&W 638 to the S&W 36. A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air. I dont see much conversation on these specifics but I think Its all about the size of the explosion in the chamber. Anyone that uses a J frame S&W should seriously think about swapping grips, and finding which set works for them. HAVE FUN JP. Last time we took it to the range, I was trying to cycle the old +P ammo to load standard Lehigh ammo, I fired one shot, put the gun down and cursed while shaking my hand. So . I've tried 2.8, 3.0, and 3.2. Bullseye is a little smoky, a lot sooty, and has a distinct odor. Min Charge Max Charge Optimal Charge Bullet Make Bullet Type Primer Notes; Hodgdon - 700-X: 125 gr. Enough that the range Officer at my range recognized them because the muzzle blast made a distinctive cat whisker pattern at 8 and 10, and 2 and 4 o clock. Most DNR (Do Not Reduce) loads are well over 900-fps. Josh Wayner is a Michigan native, active competitor, Grand Valley State University alumni, troublemaker, and fiction author. I may have to rethink my plan. Thinking of using it in NRA Action pistol or PPC. In terms of thousands of rounds of range practice, though, that is a definite no-go in my book. Biggest problem I had was the lubricating cases for sizing and then cleaning them afterwards, I guess grit was somehow scratching the cases after getting stuck in the lube. The average street punk today has more firepower than the Russian Army did in WWII and trying to re-load a revolver in a fire fight is the best way to commit suicide that I could ever think of. JHP, 125 gr. The beauty of shooting a .38 is that you can easily practice at the ranges you'd fight at using basically any cheap bullet at minimal expense. Allgoodhits Posts : 726 Join date : 2017-09-17 Location : Northern Virginia Like Nice thing about reloading is that loads can be tailored for the gun that you are shooting. I thought the DR program was NRA, not CMP. Main fame for the .38 is now the J frame size revolvers, as a CCW gun. 100 except where otherwise noted in "remarks" Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data. Canister Sizes: View All Bullseye Recipes During my first half century on this planet, my caliber of choice for defense was 45 ACP- but for everything else it was always 38 SPL.
Shooter's Reference Load Data for .38 Special Most starting .357 reloading powder levels will fall in this .38 +P+ type reload, and the powder being used can be selected (faster or slower) based on barrel length. If you have the means, I highly recommend you trying one out. This would be for plinking for my wife's ~3" Rossi, so something light and fun to shoot would be great. Yeah, my wifes last gun, with +P it actually HURTS!
Reloading Data for .38 Special - Load Data - 1895Gunner Pasted as rich text. With the powders you listed I would try Bullseye, 231, and Unique in that order. Starting being near 3gr - ish. Regulator, SBSS #2255, Pawnee Station, Ro I & II. Which left me with the last two.
38 Special Loads - Bullseye Forum I make a habit of counting the number of reloads I make by keeping a tally of primer and bullet boxes. Even at hot .44 mag velocities my Super Redhawk has shiny bore with zero leading. Me too! Great gun.
The All-American .38 Special | Load Data Article 38 special , bullseye, and 125 grain lead rnfp - The Firing Line document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Pick up any current gun magazine and youll be inundated with images of sexy black rifles. I estimate that the price for each of the three loads runs between $7 and $8 per box of 50. The swaged bullets are soft enough that they expand even at mild velocities where a JHP or hard cast cant. I don't have a chronograph, but have considered picking one up. I've tried Berry's plated as well as Remington. S&W M637-2 2" barrel Everyone here who has tried plated bullets including myself, have had disappointing results in accuracy. Handload: 158 grain round nose lead /3.8 grains Bullseye MV 775 fps ME 210 ft./lbs. I use 2.8-3.0 grains of Bullseye or AA#2 with 158 gr. I use Bullseye powder but it's about the same burn rate. Thanks for your help. 7.8 gr Blue Dot 1,170 fps 1.43" Fed 100 Alliant Suggested starting load: 7.0 gr Pressure: 15,700 4.5 gr Bullseye 1,085 fps 1.43" Fed 100 Alliant Suggested starting load: 4.1 gr Pressure: 14,900 I fired 3 Remington 125 SJHP 357s from a 340 and thought i had nerve damage in my hand.
Midwest Supply Group. CORBON 38SPL+P 125GR JHP 20/500 1.) Insufficient crimping ) ARCHIVED. IIRC, the NRA Action Pistol power floor is a "factor" of 125, which requires a full 1,000 fps for 125-gr bullets. . Groups with these loads ranged from 1.25 inches to just under two inches at 25 yards across a handful of pistols. My hand ached for a week. Ive loaded some wadcutters to the point of being flush with the case mouth and big lead bullets almost to the front of the cylinder.
Reloading Data .38 Special (Using Hornady Bullets) Metallic Load with 38 S&W data. I'm going to start with 3.8 grains. Bullseye Handgun Powders Smokeless pistol powder Billions of rounds have been loaded with Bullseye since it was introduced in 1913. Each of the classic loads is also economical. You are absolutely correct. Recoil was so nasty that I quit after five shots and saved the rest of the box for my 6 Model 19 .357. I don't know what bullets you have, but Berry's recommends per their website to use hard cast data for their plated bullets. At 25 you can get away with a lighter load.
.38 Special - CHUCKHAWKS.COM As for the load ya the 158gr will probably take a little more, but your gun will tell you how much more.. Both have fed 100% in a variety of pistols and have shot very well. A significant difference in speeds is usually noted. A cold header, at their basic level, are multi ton power presses laying down on their side. 8.) Like both the .38 and the .44 spl. In several of the guns, the old standby couldnt quite duplicate the level of precision they exhibit with current production wadcutters from Black Hills or Winchester, but in each case, the load shot close to or right on the sights and nearly held the X ring. 110gr JHP! Unlike many other guns Ive owned and carried, this little snubby really cant be modified much beyond factory configuration. I prefer the slower burning Unique, and I also use it for .357 magnum, just more of it. I've been using the same powders forever.
38 Special Pet Loads - 24hourcampfire I have often thought about reloading .357 brass to .38 special velocities to get around that, but have just never decided to actually do it. Forgive me my nonsense, as I also forgive the nonsense of those that think they talk sense. The bullets are seated flush in the case. As I said I am not familiar with your frame and suspect it is one of the latest models out by Smith. 358430 (195 grain) round nose bullet that was used in the old 200 grain police loads as there is always interest in these. Note: More and more test are conducted with all rounds fired with powder UP against the primer for each shot, or DOWN on the bullet for each shot, then gently bring to horizontal to shoot. The 38 Special, practically snubnose 38 Specials, seem to do their best work with bullets right around the 155-160 grain range. I have experimented with both of Hornadys 200-grain semiwadcutters in this load: the more button-nosed SWC and the longer Combat/Target (C/T) version. It will then fit in your 38 Special gun. Your previous content has been restored. 3.)
Anyone else using Bullseye for .38 Spl - Taurus Firearm Forum Bullseye is the best powder I have found for 38 special. In my time with the cartridge, I have come to appreciate the mid to low end of the power spectrum and thus have made extensive use of Trail Boss powder and bullets such as Hornadys .358 158gr SWC. There is a difference in the manufacturing process of swaged bullets. Yes, I had no issues with the 38 SPL, but the 32 is just more FUN- especially when I get seven shots of it in a revolver the size of J frame! 38 Special, all bullet weights Bullet Powder Weight Powder Velocity OAL Primer Source 110gr JHP! If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. I reload a 3 CA Bulldog in .44 with 200 gr wadcutters, to recreate the Man Stopper loads of long ago. Like almost all pistol cartridges called ".38" the .38 Special actually takes .357" diameter bullets. I've been reading about this. .38 will take care of nearly any critter that needs dispatching feral cats, raccoon, armadillo, even wait for it. Berry says load plated bullets to mid-range jacketed bullets of same profile and weight or equal to hard cast. I wanted a good carry gun that was light and reliable, so I decided that the .38 would fit and I just went with it. I can not be held responsible for. I always used mixed brass because it was all I had. I have found that if you go down too low in charge you will have some ignition issues occasionally. I did 400 rounds in one afternoon on my Hornady progressive. i use a Lee mold 150 round nose with 4 grains of bullseye crimped into the crimp groove of the bullet. head I use 3.2gr. Only the Model 60 sometimes have factory installed grips that are not worthless. The beauty of shooting a .38 is that you can easily practice at the ranges youd fight at using basically any cheap bullet at minimal expense. Ive probably picked up 300 cases of .38 the past few months and will continue to grab them as I see them, but whats nice is I can shoot more and put that money towards brass for .32 or .45 Colt, stuff that I never see at the range. So, I'm guessing the pressure curve isn't as severe as some of the faster burners. The stuff you learn shooting 20,000 reloads (on top of thousands of rounds of factory ammo) can be pretty interesting and I feel that Ive got a very good picture of what the .38 Special. I used to reload .38s and .357s with 158 grain LSWC bullets over 4.3 and 6.5 grains of Unique. A Forum dedicated to the sport of Bullseye shooting, Bullseye-L Forum::Ammunition Discussion. DR loads (158gr Remington swaged LSWC over 3.6gr AA#2 in Winchester .38 Special cases) I shoot American eagle, remington factory,remington umc, and mag tech. The Charter Arms .44 models are potential CCWs, but are too light to properly handle the .44 spl. : 1.475" Powder: 6.0 gr 6.9 gr Vel. In fact, in the past I specifically sought out revolvers chambered in 38 SPL only, knowing I would never be putting a 357 Mag in it (I carried a 4 GP100 chambered in 38 SPL as a duty sidearm in the early 90s). Hence I carry a semi-auto pistol chambered in .40 S&W. June 13, 2016 in 9mm/38 Caliber. Also some WSF. Word to the wise: all handgun cartridges (with the likely exception of .44 Magnum and maybe even .357 Magnum) are underpowered for self-defense.