Very little recoil, and grouped acceptably out to 15 yards or so. Designed in 1898, the .38 Smith & Wesson Special cartridge went on . Larry Gibson "Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing." Nikola Tesla 01-30-2020, 01:43 PM #9 Mr_Flintstone Boolit Buddy Join Date Jan 2020 Location defensive ammo. No sh!t. I burned up about 300 of them before giving up. Groups with these loads ranged from 1.25 inches to just under two inches at 25 yards across a handful of pistols. How Do I Choose Good Self-Defense Ammo For My Handgun? Rules say (e) Ammunition- Any safe .38 caliber ammunition using the 158 grain round nose or Semi-Wadcutter bullet only. I find the Pachmayr Compac grips on my 640 reduce the slap of full-boat .357 to less than that on my 3 M65 (w/ wood Altamont grips) or my 4 686 (Pachmayr Gripper Professional grips.) Wes, SASS Wire rules prohibit posting specific load data on the forum, but it can be passed along via private message or email. The load you use will be up to your gun. When I finally took the plunge and started handloading (FIRST SHOTS WITH HANDLOADING: How Hard Can It Be? Dont take this the wrong way; Im guessing the average age of .38 spl fans is about my age (70). For example, a Glock 17 shot the HAP into 1.35 inches and the FMJ into 2.2 inches at 25 yards. Posted March 19, 2015. 125 gr plated or 125 gr lead RN. Dont get me wrong: I think the Smith and Wesson Model 642 Airweight revolver is an outstanding self-defense (concealed carry) revolver and you wont feel/care about how snappy/unpleasant the recoil may be in a real self-defense event. Really important to have a chrono if you're going to work up loads When I first bought my chrono, I was amazed at how HOT my loads were - unnecessarily. https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t2221-distinguished-revolver-loads-that-don-t-suck?highlight=distinguished+++%2Bloads, Load question on Penn Bullets for Distinguished load. with #2 Lyman duplicate. My other son fired one shot and handed it back. Installed some wood boot grips, modified them with grooves at the bottom of each side panel, similar to those on Pach. I have found that if you go down too low in charge you will have some ignition issues occasionally. .38 Special +P (Alliant Reloaders Guide) Warning! Coming in 30 grains lighter and 80 fps slower than hardball, as well as being lead rather than jacketed, the 200/4.6 SWC is amazingly soft. 38 Special, all bullet weights Bullet Powder Weight Powder Velocity OAL Primer Source 110gr JHP! Powered by Invision Community, 125 grain plated flat point in 38 Special. Bullseye is one of the oldest smokeless pistol powders and still one of the most popular. It'll look funky, but it will shoot. Below, are three loaded rounds. At belly button range, very nasty load. I dont bother polishing my .38 brass because I just dont let it fall in the mud or dirt. Most of these are at the upper end. I use Bullseye powder but it's about the same burn rate. Last I looked still available at Brownells. .38 will take care of nearly any critter that needs dispatching feral cats, raccoon, armadillo, even wait for it. Ive done the majority of shooting in .38 Special in my Smith & Wesson 642. 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. However recoil will be the limiting factor especially for the short line. It is less of an issue on a progressive press, but still requires attention. Great gun. i had the same issues you did when i was trying to load for my DR revolver 14-3. to light of power had a soft recoil but ungodly bad accuracy. Both have fed 100% in a variety of pistols and have shot very well. If you can follow simple instructions, you can safely load this cartridge. The Charter Arms .44 models are potential CCWs, but are too light to properly handle the .44 spl. 4.4 gr. No matter where you look, the first mention in classic loads for the .38 Special is a 148-grain wadcutter over 2.7 grains of Bullseye. Hornady 4.0 gr. 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. 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. Send the cylinder out to get cut for moon clips and adapted to 9mm, so you can shoot both 38/357/9mm and use all on moon clips. When I teach other people the basics of reloading, I teach them on the .38 SPL. butt 686 shipped w/ Hogue monogrips, discarded immediately due to pronounced finger grooves. Allgoodhits Posts : 726 Join date : 2017-09-17 Location : Northern Virginia Like A Forum dedicated to the sport of Bullseye shooting, Bullseye-L Forum::Ammunition Discussion, I'm looking for an accurate load using 125gr bullets. However, after consulting my several different manuals, 3.5 seems to be a border line max load. What overal length of the cartridge? And it isnt my first rodeo with a J-frame. Bonus is that dont need magnum Primers for these reloads. Upload or insert images from URL. Haven't tried it in the Colt Officer's Model Match yet. . That's usually +P power level in .38 Special. September 2015 S.W.A.T. I have used everything from simple lead to the most advanced machined copper bullets and found them all to be extraordinarily easy to load and shoot. Would .44 Special be somewhat similar to .38, in terms of ease of reloading, case life, etc.? Especially if you reload. WST seems like such a good powder in .45 ACP that I thought I might try it. Reloading supplies and load recipes are available everywhere. Have a Tritium sight and laser on it to boot. Good thing I didn't go with the original powder charge I intended to use. I don't have a chronograph, but have considered picking one up. I load my 38 target ammo to 3.5 grainsand my self defense 38 to 3.8 grains, when using 158 grain bullets (and Bullseye). I'm asking the above questions because I don't want to run too hot of a load, but wasn't sure if it was ok to drop down below 2.8 as far as 2.5. Bullseye Select A Caliber or Gauge Below To View Recipes. 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. Not in that order. (Patrick Sweeney photo) September 15, 2021 By Michelle Hamilton, Field Editor. As you move up in loads, you at least need the gas check on the bottom of the bullet to prevent gas melting the lead and fouling the barrel. It is always higher when powder is next to primer. Do not use anything but light loads and lead bullets in these older revolvers. 9 mm, .40 sw, 45 acp, .44 mag. ( customer reviews) $ 10.69 - $ 246.00. is limited to either the various Charter Arms models, or as a training/target load in a .44 magnum size handguns. Min Charge Max Charge Optimal Charge Bullet Make Bullet Type Primer Notes; Hodgdon - 700-X: 125 gr. I can usually keep 1.5" groups with it at 25 yards if I do my part. Some people then claimed SAAMI raised the 357 Mag to 45,000. And Vihtavouris N320 and N321 fall in this range for burning times. This represents a great start, and if thats all you do, youll still be far better off than the majority of the population. I was hoping I could use this combo to make use of available components. This is good, because the snub takes a lot of practice to have a consistent capability. is so simple. Be careful about published sources (and doubly so about internet sources), regarding maximum loads for the 38 special. Therefore, .38 Special +P ammo can be as much as 17.5 percent hotter than standard .38 Special. Unsurpassed for .45 ACP target loads. In terms of thousands of rounds of range practice, though, that is a definite no-go in my book. RN, 158 gr. would also bridge the gap that the .38 versus .357 have in defensive loads. Thanks for your help. COPYRIGHT 2021, THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM. They are low because of swaged bullets. 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. Easy to reload and it started my reloading experience. This is my plink load for the kids. 10. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Main fame for the .38 is now the J frame size revolvers, as a CCW gun. I picked some up from my local Scheels yesterday. My Ruger LCR .357 Magnum is pleasant to shoot even with full pressure loads. Also some WSF. Great Cast Lead Bullet for IDPA. 3.8 gr. This load chugs downrange at 750 feet each second and functions standard recoil springs with no issue. accuracy. Data will be standard "book" .38 Special data and I'll not attempt to "hotrod" the loads. Thanks very much to LarryinTX for that! Horrible 5-12" groups at 25 yds. I have tested both brass and nickel-plated cases using mild loadings and have not yet worn out a case. Jacketed bullets are legal for DR, as long as they are 158 grain round nose or semi-wadcutter. The 38 Special Ball round was designed a long time ago to comply with specifications laid down for ammo that was : 1) Compliant with the Hague Accords of 1907 in regard to "unnecessarily" injurious ammunition. Soft shooting. Im not recommending that you carry the Bullseye load, but dont feel as if you are going to tactical purgatory for enjoying this load, either. At one time or another, I also owned and shot a M38 Bodyguard (nka the 638), a M37 Chiefs Special (now the 637), a M60 (which is a tad heavier but no more user-friendly), and a couple of others. Minnesota. A significant difference in speeds is usually noted. Unlike many other guns Ive owned and carried, this little snubby really cant be modified much beyond factory configuration. I just dont like practicing with it. 32 H&R Mag 21,000 The load is a great learning tool in .45 for beginner and experienced alike. A Forum dedicated to the sport of Bullseye shooting, Bullseye-L Forum::Ammunition Discussion. I load rounds for my wife to shoot @ Win 231 4.0 to 4.3 gr. accuracy. Hodgdon gives starting load of 4.0 grains and 4.4 grains MAX. I can get away with using it as cast w/ alox. I load these bullets to the edge of the shoulder and use anywhere from 3-4 grains of TB. Through the heyday of bullseye shooting over the various match courses of fire, there was probably a Mount Rushmore-sized mountain of powder loaded and combusted 2.7 grains at a time. 8.) I stopped handloading around 1985, so Im not certain how much technology has changed in that area, but in general it sounds like our experiences are similar. AA#2 is about the same burn rate, but burns much cleaner with less smoke in my guns. I still think highly of the LCR but would shoot only 148 grain wadcutters in .38 Special or .32 H&R Magnums in the .327 Magnum model. If she had shot more, I would have probably bought another set of dies, to prevent the need for changing adjustments between the two. Therefore, the conventional wisdom is that they must be loaded to a lower velocity. . 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. : 13,300 16,800 Starting Powder: 6.0 gr Starting Velocity: 1,266 Bullets are .357 for jacketed and .358 for lead in diameter. I also find the LCR .357 enjoyable to shoot with all .38s and most .357s. Bullseye or Titegroup cover 90% or more of my .38 Special loadings. Bonus is the CT #305 grips are both large enough to be actually useful, and can use the laser, or turn it off if you dont need the laser. The other .38 Special is a 4 Colt Diamondback. On my J frame S&W without the CT #305 Laser Grips, I swapped out to a Hoque set. Be careful !!!! The 38 Special, practically snubnose 38 Specials, seem to do their best work with bullets right around the 155-160 grain range. Just an FYI. * 38 special was also my first cartridge to reload, and one of my greatest loves for reloading to this day. If there is only ONE load, it is MAX. Im not a hoarder and I dont keep them, but I am detailed in my process. I found the plated wadcutters to have NO accuracy. Hehe, back before Nick skimmed down. Interestingly, I had pistols that would shoot one well and the other impressively, but have not yet had one pistol do magic with both. Each of the classic loads is also economical. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. Of course, these will be used in a revolver. An early Les Baer .45 knotted a group of the lead SWCs into a tight 1.3-inch group, while an M&P .45 did 1.25 inches. 2.7 GR WST IS TOO LIGHT FOR THE 50 YD LINE. People who prepare usually tend to focus on the survival basics: security/self-defense, water, food, first aid, sanitation/hygiene, knowing when to get out and when to stay put. 3 gr of WST in a 38 spl case with 125 gr plated bullet is a very light load. But you guys need to practice more. As I researched loads in the meantime, I kept seeing the same several popping up again and again in sources from as recent as yesterday to long out of print books from when air travel was a newfangled wonder. Does anyone have any luck with Jacked Bullets. Here's what the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook says for cast 125g flatpoint for 38 in the powders you mentioned. RN, 160 gr. Never got around to trying the T grips. In half a dozen different sixguns, it ranged from accurate to spectacular. The Speers do occasionally and the Magnus a little more. 4.2 gr. I, like Spartacus, find the SAAMI recommendations an interesting spec for comparative purposes. Interesting. After making a healthy pile of brass with this load, I am unlikely to ever be without a few boxes of it on standby. is a good place to start. I really enjoy Trail Boss and use it extensively for plain lead and plated bullets. They are true classics, and I hope you get as much use out of them! Here's what the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook says for cast 125g flatpoint for 38 in the powders you mentioned. Go figure. Bullseye is one of the oldest smokeless pistol powders and still one of the most popular. That's usually +P power level in .38 Special. 38 Special Loads for Bullseye by GerhardG Sun Jul 17, 2022 11:01 am Greetings, Looking for load suggestions for 38 special LSWC 158 grain SNS bullets, red coated based on the following powders; Bullseye, Unique, N310 and N320. I get okay accuracy with 4.4 of W-W 231 and 125s, depending on what bullet is used. VV N320, N330 and N340 are products of VihtaVouri Oy Company Hence I carry a semi-auto pistol chambered in .40 S&W. Im also impressed by the apparent durability of your Airweight J-frame. The Lyman is handy for sizing or priming while youre watching a movie. Beginners to shooting can use a full size revolver or their carry gun with light to mild loads to become confident and familiar with marksmanship and trigger control. I am aware of the plated bullet limitations on BE accuracy and am more interested in them for their "plinkability". I just bought some 158 gr SWC bullets that are pure lead. I'm new to reloading, starting off with a single stage Lee press reloading .38 special and .357 magnum with Lee's 4 die carbide set. My more serious RN is the 358311 that drops @150 gr. (Cowboy Action) 38 Special (Cowboy Action) 38-40 Win. As for the load ya the 158gr will probably take a little more, but your gun will tell you how much more.. When I say that theres rarely a wrong way to do it, I really mean it.