Just dont shoot a rabbit with this load if you want to be able to eat any of it. Therefore, .38 Special +P ammo can be as much as 17.5 percent hotter than standard .38 Special. .38 Special 148 Lead DEWC w/Bullseye smokey load | 1911Forum But, with jacketed bullets that doesn't seen to be working. I have tested both brass and nickel-plated cases using mild loadings and have not yet worn out a case. * All PLUS P loads for guns designed for it (20,000 PSI), (Cowboy loads shot in 7 1/2 bbl.revolver no need to reduce), ALL THESE LOADS ARE PLUS P, SPECIAL HOT 21,000 PSI. In my area, Bullseye is one of the first powders to disappear from shelves, lasting about a heartbeat longer than an econo bulk box of .22 Long Rifle ammunition. 148-grain wadcutter brings accuracy that begs the shooter to test their limits. Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 9 customer ratings. You may find it will need to be faster for good 50 yd. Also some WSF. There is a difference in the manufacturing process of swaged bullets. When I finally took the plunge and started handloading (FIRST SHOTS WITH HANDLOADING: How Hard Can It Be? When you say "not working" can you be more specific? In my time spent with the .38, I have come to greatly appreciate it for what it is and does. Anyway, you are probably right that the revolver guys trend towards the older end of the spectrum, but I think some of the younger guys are starting to catch on to the magic of wheel guns. I just bought some 158 gr SWC bullets that are pure lead. Depending on the drill, 200-grain .45s let shooter push faster or use available time to shoot better, with significantly less recoil than hardball. Load with 38 S&W data. Smith & Wesson Model 27 .357 Magnum (because no 6-inch Smith & Wesson .38 Special revolver was on hand). The load you use will be up to your gun. I agree, an airweight has snappy recoil. The same volume of BE will weigh much more than than same volume of WST. Ive done the majority of shooting in .38 Special in my Smith & Wesson 642. .38 J frame.) 5.) In a 1909 vintage Smith & Wesson target .38, the 2.7-grain load cut a nearly one-inch cluster, showing that classics go well together. In fact, Hornady's handloading manual includes .357-inch bullets in the load data for the .38 Super, specifically 125-grain and 140-grain XTP bullets, along with .355-inch bullets, and their one remaining .356-inch bullet, the 125-grain HAP. Battis, if you go to the very bottom of this page you will see Castpics. Very little recoil, and grouped acceptably out to 15 yards or so. The fast powders, W231, HP38, Bullseye would go over pressure very quickly with any slight changes, in seating depth or primer change. On 7/4/2018 at 11:57 AM, Bill Sahlberg said: There is nothing more accurate at PPC than 148 gr8 HBWC (lead) using 2.8 gr of 231 and a tight crimp with Starline 38 Special brass & a Federal Small pistol primer. Great gun with the best factory double action trigger Ive ever shot. 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 Im not a hoarder and I dont keep them, but I am detailed in my process. Reduce by 10% to establish a starting charge weight. 9 mm, .40 sw, 45 acp, .44 mag. Compac for my little finger to wrap around under the butt. The .327 Fed Mag is IT! I will always love the 38 SPL (never cared much for 357 Mag), but that 3 seven shot Charter with both 32 S&W Long and 32 H&R Mag is truly the bees knees. Required fields are marked *. My point being is I used the resources I have, looked elsewhere (The High Road, The Firing Line), and wanted to try here. It will then fit in your 38 Special gun. For example, a Glock 17 shot the HAP into 1.35 inches and the FMJ into 2.2 inches at 25 yards. Maybe its just me, but having that tiny bit of extra length and weight in the cylinder that I was never going to use just kinda bothered me. I thought about trying 2.5 gr. These two can cover the entire performance spectrum up to .38+P. Bullseye 3.2gr / 763fps --> 4.2gr / 892fps (max) Unique 4.3gr / 773fps --> 5.3gr / 944fps (max) 231 3.9gr / 733fps --> 4.8gr / 896pfs (max) These are out of a 5.5 inch barrel Edited June 25, 2016 by jschweg Dr. Phil Classifieds 712 We look at three classics: one each in .45 ACP, .38 Special, and 9mm. 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. I meant to say NRA. It is a very versatile and useful round. A Forum dedicated to the sport of Bullseye shooting, Bullseye-L Forum::Ammunition Discussion. I dont see much conversation on these specifics but I think Its all about the size of the explosion in the chamber. Ask your Dealer, or call Hodgdon), has a Cowboy Load section, (near the center fold), that lists data for about all SASS calibers. I reached an interesting number the other day. Never got around to trying the T grips. 2.9 of Clays is soft enough and dead accurate at 50yds. No offense sir but those charges look low for Unique. 357 LCR in 3 inch variant. Jacketed bullets are legal for DR, as long as they are 158 grain round nose or semi-wadcutter. They have a large selection about the hard cast loads from 90 to 170 gains. Some medium fast powders would work with lighter weight bullets. Don't worry too much about lead/coated/plated/jacketed. My son asked if I wanted him to help, then fired one shot and handed it back. A Forum dedicated to the sport of Bullseye shooting, Bullseye-L Forum::Ammunition Discussion, byPacFltShooter Wed Oct 28, 2020 9:00 am, byPacFltShooter Wed Oct 28, 2020 5:36 pm, byPacFltShooter Wed Oct 28, 2020 6:46 pm, byPacFltShooter Wed Oct 28, 2020 8:45 pm, byPacFltShooter Wed Nov 04, 2020 4:50 pm. I load a hard cast 125gn for my 38 special all the time. Has anyone loaded 38 special with these compoments? The flyers tend to be severe. This is an easy-shooting load that can cause some power-philes to tusk-tusk and comment. The pistol or revolver of good quality is vital. My use of the term adequate means that Hodgdon has produced a workable result for the .38 Special, .38 Special +P, and .357 Magnum that may be used for 125 grain weight bullets having velocity limitations. My other son fired one shot and handed it back. This wire is then fed into a machine called a cold header. This gun now wears factory synthetic grips which are decent but could use more girth behind the trigger guard. Hodgdon gives starting load of 4.0 grains and 4.4 grains MAX. Anyone else using Bullseye for .38 Spl - Taurus Firearm Forum Most of these are at the upper end. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. Most DNR (Do Not Reduce) loads are well over 900-fps. Even slower powders may provide more consistent speeds and will be tested in the future (No. I guess its out of production now- I havent seen it (or heard of it) in years. While I do have a GP100 in .357 magnum, I dont like shooting .38 special ammo out of it, because cleaning powder residue out of the longer chambers is a real bitch. Going up to 3.9 Gr for +P. Nickle cases look pretty but dont seem to take the number of resizings that plain brass cases do. IF YOU ARE USING SWAGED 158GR BULLETS 3.1 WILL WORK, IF USING HARD CAST 3.3 IS NEEDED. Never ransom rested it, but held 10 ring off sandbags. Testing out some bullseye with 125 berry's bullets.. Im a big fan of .32 revolvers, I do think they are a superior choice for carrying and shooting than .38 is, but that doesnt mean I think .38 or .357 sucks, I just dont think theyre the best choices for a small frame revolver. TITEGROUP AND 125GR 38 SPECIAL LOAD DATA Ammunition-Gunsmithing Reloading Forum Register Notices Consider Becoming A Supporting Member Click HERE For The Benefits Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here Thread Tools Display Modes # 1 01-24-2016, 05:38 AM RONALD HENSLEY Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Waynesville NC Posts: 114 Likes: 12 Hit the Bullseye with Bullseye: Classic Loads from a Classic Powder - SWAT 4.) In half a dozen different sixguns, it ranged from accurate to spectacular. 3.) No sh!t. Some use powders dispersed in liquids, some use electrostatic guns to spray dry powder on their bullets. 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. The manufacturing process of swaged bullets requires relatively soft lead for two reasons. 3.7gr WST with Zero 158 SWC did the job for me. The cowboy loads would be good choices as listed, since these ARE reduced loads for that sport, where usually just hitting a metal plate to make a sound is all that is required of the round. The .38 ammo is more common to find than the .44 ammo, so that is a big reason to reload the .44. Do you folks think a start at 3.0 gr and work up from there with a 125 gr bullet would be a safe load. Enter to win an FN FAL Rifle. 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. want me to write up an article about 3d printed .38 special bullets that Ive been working? The SP101 is far more comfortable to shoot but not so much fun to carry. If I get to see him shoot those loads, it would be worth the price of a new keyboard! A .38 Special mystery---what is the reason for this load? The plated bullets feed nicely through my bullet feeder. A GI surplus 1911 that puts most loads into dinner-plate sized groups cut 3.8 inches with the classic recipewhich is probably the only time Ive gotten excited about an almost four-inch group! it seems awful confusing, but with time you will be able to interpolate the published data into something that will give you good starting points to work up your loads. Bullseye is one of the oldest smokeless pistol powders and still one of the most popular. 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. WST is less dense than BE. A Tyler T grip would have helped here, but is incompatible w/ factory grips. I use Bullseye powder but it's about the same burn rate. 358430 (195 grain) round nose bullet that was used in the old 200 grain police loads as there is always interest in these. This is not loaded 9mm ammo. Caveat: I have decided that I want to be prepared for threat scenarios that include stopping a terrorist or spree-killer (the odds of which I fully recognize is statistically zero). I never enjoyed touching off a 357 Mag in a K frame, and I cannot imagine the discomfort of firing it in anything smaller or lighter. I have not loaded plated bullets in quite some time, since they are not useful for my accuracy needs. BrianEnos.com The .44 spl. Load it in 38 Special dies. The reason I love the .38 SPL so much is because its so elastic in function. I will start ouy at the minimum velocity then. Yeah, my wifes last gun, with +P it actually HURTS! I am way shy of 70 years old and I love me some .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. Hodgdon's Basic Reloading Manual, (The free one, available for the asking. 2 and No. 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. Shoots well in my K-38, 686, and a friend's K-38 at 50 yards in the Ransom rest. Ive been shooting them for 50 years. butt 686 shipped w/ Hogue monogrips, discarded immediately due to pronounced finger grooves. This pistol uses the .38 Special with a Remington wadcutter bullet seated flush with the case mouth. And it isnt my first rodeo with a J-frame. Posted March 19, 2015. I realized that I had hit a very special count for a very special cartridge: 20,000 rounds of .38 Special. The gun has appeared on TTAG before and has remained unchanged as far as accessories. The 158 gr cast plain base accuracy load was 4.0 gr 231 which gave 837 Fps and 15,900 psi. If you havent taken a look at what the .38 Special offers, youre selling yourself short. 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. There are so many new powders today, its hard to keep up. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 2, No. A revolver shooting .38 SPL only requires the power of your finger to make it fire and can thus be loaded with ammo that is extremely mild or hotter than hot. "Berry's Superior Plated Bullets are the finest bonded copper-jacketed bullets available today.." ?. Bullets are .357 for jacketed and .358 for lead in diameter. Did you cross post the bullet weight? Winchester's website has data for W231 and a 125 gr LRNFP, but not plated. A little shopping around might do better, as would casting the lead bullets. You need a .357 Magnum revolver if you want to try a 9MM cylinder. What overal length of the cartridge? I'd rather shoot my .45 then. They are reliable accurate and deadly. However, after consulting my several different manuals, 3.5 seems to be a border line max load. The only way to shoot both 9mm and .38 special is to have two separate cylinders timed to the revolver. If you're looking for a real light load that's easy to shoot, I'd just use WW's data for the W231 with a 125 gr. Is it more bulky? 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. Reloading Data .38 Special (Using Hornady Bullets) Metallic It is less of an issue on a progressive press, but still requires attention. I have 100% confidence in my ability to shoot quickly, accurately, and comfortably with the 32, and I also have confidence that, if needed, my 32 H&R loads from Buffalo Bore and DoubleTap are quite capable of doing the job they are asked to do. Is it considered safe to down load a cartridge that far under starting? Hodgdons Clays, International, Universal and HP38 are good choices. COPYRIGHT 2021, THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM. Do not use anything but light loads and lead bullets in these older revolvers. 38 special load question - Bullseye Forum Three in particular proved as good as their longstanding reputations would indicate. I just got some clays which I heard was very clean burning compare to bullseye. Yeah no. Easy to reload and it started my reloading experience. Upload or insert images from URL. A 4 inch barrel would be my choice as well. The big medicine was delivered by a 1911, but S&W K frames (favorites were Models 12 & 64) took care of everything else. Depends on what kind of load you're after. 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. Between that, some other info on other forums, Winchester's data for a lead flat point, and numbers from loaddata.com, I think I have some to start with. LRNFP - your load, with a plated bullet should be Very Similar, or slightly slower and safer. For 3 that actually doesnt kick too badly. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. These are put into a large hydraulic press and extruded into a continuous coil of wire. Dont take this the wrong way; Im guessing the average age of .38 spl fans is about my age (70). Thanks very much to LarryinTX for that! 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. If there is only ONE load, it is MAX. is so simple. WAP, WMR, WSF, WSL, 760, 748, 231 and 540 are products of Winchester, Components Div. I think you will find since the .38 special is headspaced on the rim your case length is very important to achieve your best accuracy. Years back, for indoor matches I teamed the heavier S&W Model 28 with 3.4 grains of the same powder and bullet in . Great Cast Lead Bullet for IDPA. As anyone learns quickly, first thing that needs to be done is to replace the small factory S&W grips (I use Hogue) so you can hold onto the gun. The covered blackstrap and extended length Compac design I reckon are major factors in reducing perceived recoil. Berry says load plated bullets to mid-range jacketed bullets of same profile and weight or equal to hard cast. That being the case, I truly NEED as much ammunition as possible and the ability to defeat soft barriers such as auto windshields, sheet metal, drywall, doors, etc. To many shooters, .45 ACP means 230-grain hardball at 830 fps. You cannot paste images directly. swatmag.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.