Re: 38 special loads by GrumpyOldMan 11/10/2013, 4:23 pm IIRC, the NRA Action Pistol power floor is a "factor" of 125, which requires a full 1,000 fps for 125-gr bullets. 38 special is a great cartridge. But not too tough. If you have a lightweight .38 or older gun, you may want to start with 10% less than max amounts listed above, and work up to the full loads. (Patrick Sweeney photo) September 15, 2021 By Michelle Hamilton, Field Editor. BTW, I wish I had any one of those three revolvers today. Any discussion of Bullseye is incomplete without mentioning a few of the downsides. Thank you. Thats not quite how that works. Thinking of using it in NRA Action pistol or PPC. I agree, an airweight has snappy recoil. But for plinking, they'd be fine. 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. Great article & thread!!! This is not loaded 9mm ammo. ES 27 SD 12 Independence 130 grain FMJ round nose MV 892 fps ME 230 ft./lbs. Swaged bullets do not have the hardness of poured (cast) lead. After making a healthy pile of brass with this load, I am unlikely to ever be without a few boxes of it on standby. Sorry I can't be of more help, but I use 158 grain coated RNFP and don't use any of those powders that you list. RN, 160 gr. I dont mind it at all, though others do and look to similar performing powders that address these things. *WAP is not best choice for .38 special, too slow and inconsistent. I would say I completely disagree with you on ever even contemplating using a revolver for self defense unless you are a person that has never owned a gun and not likely ever to practice with it. It is less of an issue on a progressive press, but still requires attention. Nitpicking is its own reward., I believe the correct spelling is loathe . : 13,300 16,800 Starting Powder: 6.0 gr Starting Velocity: 1,266 Normal, mild .38 loads work fine with lead bullets. These are hand loads.. load data was published in Lyman 50th edition.. Instead, Ive favored things like the K and L frame Smiths (5 screw pre-model 10 and 686 in my case) and Ruger revolvers for higher round count activities. 110gr JHP! I.E. Many of these men had no real experience with the handgun, and we had but a few weeks to get them up to very high standards that most shooters will never reach. I have a long way to go before I'm ready to compete, but enjoy plinking and hand loading. I dont own anything in .38 special yet, but I have plans to buy a .357 magnum revolver in near future, so I already reloaded couple thousands of rounds in .38 and .357. 110gr JHP! A 4 inch barrel would be my choice as well. Even better, is get some 38 S&W brass. You may end up with one "not" clearing the barrel. This load is in the general velocity bracket with most generic or bulk box 115-grain loads and zings over my chronograph at 1,125 to 1,140 fps from a Glock 17, depending on bullet style. ), I very much wanted to start with some tried-and-true Bullseye loads, but it took an epic scavenger hunt across many months to find a canister of the elusive classic. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Does anyone have experience with loading WST for 125 gr plates bullets or a place to start the research/testing? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A handgunner using .38 Specials is set for targets, plinking and small game while .357 Mag. JHP, 158 gr. Have not confirmed the difference with a chronograph. Softer alloys of lead are just easier on the machinery. Congratulations on spelling loath right. Just an FYI. The pistol or revolver of good quality is vital. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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 found it to be a nice blend of accuracy, soft recoil, and sure functioning, with enough spice behind it to reliably topple steel targets. Thank you for the article. A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air. I get 1000 fps with this load. The Speer #8 lists a max of 7.5 grs Unique with a 125 gr Jacketed SP This would be for plinking for my wife's ~3" Rossi, so something light and fun to shoot would be great.All three of those powders have published load data for that weight bullet in .38 Special.All three of those powders have published load data for that weight bullet in .38 . So it is my gut feeling that Winchester found it to be touchy in smaller calibers like 38 special and 9mm Luger. Last I looked still available at Brownells. Like both the .38 and the .44 spl. I had ammo for some friends as low as 600 fps. It would seem that a 125 grain GDHP is of the same weight and would have a similar profile to what you want to use. For those who have issues using auto pistils, due ti arthritis or other medical issues with the hands an LCR or 642 is a great choice. There really is a recently developed technology that prevents leading, while eliminating messy lubricants. What I learned after 50 years of shooting and reloading 38spl cases some where around 100 thousands rounds. Most double end wad cutters are 148 grain, and DR bullets must be 158 grain. Winchester only published load for WST in 38 special using lead bullets if you look at the data for the 158 data the start load goes from 3.3 Gr and a max load of 3.7 Gr. 2.9 of Clays is soft enough and dead accurate at 50yds. There have been guns Ive bought for the caliber, but the .38 wasnt one of those. 750-850fps. The best part about this is that not only do you never really lose your fired cases, but you they are always in great condition. Their biggest use is in making screws and small bolts. Just depends on what kinds of loads you plan to shoot. It doesnt appear like there is much of an advantage in using WST with lighter weight bullets. Oh, I practice with it. I estimate that the price for each of the three loads runs between $7 and $8 per box of 50. Each of the classic loads is also economical. Unlike many other guns Ive owned and carried, this little snubby really cant be modified much beyond factory configuration. Im also impressed by the apparent durability of your Airweight J-frame. Ive been reloading and shooting for over 40 years and love revolvers but 90% of the time my carry gun is a Sig 365 with a 12 round mag and a spare. Powder coating. Current J frame factory grips have similar features and are made of a stiffer compound. You gotta try the S&W M342 Airlight TI. The upside of the grainage is that the small charges mean more loaded rounds per pound of powderhelpful since Bullseye can take a while to reacquire once the container is empty. I probably shoot more 38s than everything else put together but a Dillon 750 makes loading a lot faster. The swaged bullets are soft enough that they expand even at mild velocities where a JHP or hard cast cant. 3.) There are many fun uses for buckshot. Everyone here who has tried plated bullets including myself, have had disappointing results in accuracy. 4.4 gr. The Bullseye powder pushed five into two inches flat for another 1911 that is typically a four-inch gun. 4.0 gr. For best accuracy in slow fire shooting, you may want to raise gun before every shot. Enter to win an FN FAL Rifle. The cold header swages a bullet in one or two strokes. I'd imagine I'm not the first person to use this load, but I have found it is a very sooty/smokey load. However, after consulting my several different manuals, 3.5 seems to be a border line max load. Youd just be risking ALOT firing it in a .38 framed revolver. Thanks for the excellent article, Josh! for 38 special Powered by Invision Community, 125 grain plated flat point in 38 Special. 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. Here is the dillema: The Lyman manual says starting load is 3.2 grains and MAX. I have one that has been loaded about sixty times and it is still in use today. If all you practice with is the easy comfortable stuff, its not really practice. Designed in 1898, the .38 Smith & Wesson Special cartridge went on . Hornady 115-grain HAPs over 4.4 grains of Bullseye alongside 25-yard timed-fire target. September 2015 S.W.A.T. Case life is excellent, especially for mild loads. 100 except where otherwise noted in "remarks" Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data. looks like today. All the data says this should be an OK load , even "mid-range" for non +p. The Pistol a Smith and Wesson model 27-2 The goal is two fold. You need a .357 Magnum revolver if you want to try a 9MM cylinder. Pasted as rich text. This produces about 550-650fps from a 1 7/8 barrel and feels like shooting a very powerful .22LR. They have a large selection about the hard cast loads from 90 to 170 gains. As a result, Ive been able to spend far more time practicing with it rather than fussing with it. You are absolutely correct. So I expect recoil would be substantial and not very target-ish. Using higher pressure loads will wear brass out faster and it will become brittle with time. Here's what the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook says for cast 125g flatpoint for 38 in the powders you mentioned. What sort of wildlife are you thinking would be a good application for this self-defense load? Bullseye is primarily associated with .38 and .45after all, it says right on the bottle: Great for .38 Special and .45 Auto target loads. But it is equally at home in high-velocity auto loads. For me, the 32 H&R Mag is my 357 Mag, and the 32 S&W Long is my 38 SPL. The cases are large enough that they can be easily manipulated by inexperienced hands and yet small enough to not require much force in the sizing stage. 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. Home About Partners Contact. That one Ill keep. SASS# 85224. It is easy to load in progressive presses and has commercially available options from virtually all modern manufacturers. Some use powders dispersed in liquids, some use electrostatic guns to spray dry powder on their bullets. I don't have a chronograph, but have considered picking one up. I have tried several different grips before finding the one that worked for me. Very forgiving with a straight wall case, and tons of bullet variety. A cold header, at their basic level, are multi ton power presses laying down on their side. You have entered an incorrect email address! . What I have found most remarkable is how well some pistols that typically fling wide groups have clustered the semiwadcutters. WST seems like such a good powder in .45 ACP that I thought I might try it. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Generally, I'm looking for a load that produces accuracy from approx. I carried a lightly customized 4 inch heavy barrel model 10 for years, with a black cerakote job. 38 Special, all bullet weights Bullet Powder Weight Powder Velocity OAL Primer Source 110gr JHP! https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t2221-distinguished-revolver-loads-that-don-t-suck. Click there and go to the load data lookup section . Bullseye is one of the oldest smokeless pistol powders and still one of the most popular. 38 Special 125 gr XTP American Gunner Item #90324 | 25/Box The American Gunner line of ammunition is a collection of tried-and-true, versatile loads that are popular with shooters for their target shooting, hunting or self-defense needs. I once had to quote the South Carolina Supreme Court when they had spelled it loathe., Regards, Thx so it seems like for the long line I need to get some sagged bullets. .38 Special (Using Hornady Bullets) reloading data with 353 loads. I dont see much conversation on these specifics but I think Its all about the size of the explosion in the chamber. defensive ammo. 38 special , bullseye, and 125 grain lead rnfp Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting : The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and . ,I looked at Speer data, nothing there. Your experience is definitely motivation for me to give my J-frame more range time! Thanks to all for the info. The .38 ammo is more common to find than the .44 ammo, so that is a big reason to reload the .44. Ive not had a handgun entirely reject either load, so the recipe seems to be a worthy third alongside the previous .38 and .45. Bullseye and NRA Distinguished Revolver Currently using Titegroup, but started out with, and loaded many thousands of rounds, with Bullseye. 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. The quality of the loads equals a bargain. I get okay accuracy with 4.4 of W-W 231 and 125s, depending on what bullet is used. How does WST compare to Bullseye powder? I'm looking for some recipes for 38 special for a 125 grain copper plated (like Berry's) flat point bullet using Unique, Bullseye, or W231. VV N320, N330 and N340 are products of VihtaVouri Oy Company
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