A year and a half ago, I got back into .38 Spl. I had some Unique left over from my best friend, and found a good load of 158 gr. LSWC Rimrock bullets loaded on top of 4.2 gr. of Unique for about 820 fps. They don't lead at all, and shoot very good, and soft shooting. This load is a S&W Model 66 .357 Mag, so I load them a little long at 1.495" to accommodate the longer cylinders of .357, but you could seat them deeper for a Model 10 and not be in trouble.
.38 Special load?
My Smith revolvers have sat in the safe for a few years while I focused on my 9's, 45's. Now I want to start shooting my revolvers again. I've got all my old notes from years ago about good .38 spl loads, but with all the new powders available, I wanted to ask you folks to tell me a couple of your favorite .38 spl loads these days. These will be for target shooting at the range, not hunting or self-defense. Also, these loads will be fired in 2" snubs thru 6" Model 10's. Not looking for any .357 Mag loads.
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Lately I have been using a lot of Titegroup and coated 105 and 124 gn bullets from Bayou.
Using them in my revolvers and suppressed 1873.
Using them in my revolvers and suppressed 1873.
I always liked 4.0 231 with a Speer swaged SWC. I didn't own a chronograph back then, but it was a very comfortable load to shoot in a Smith 36 snubby, and my 6" M-28, you could shoot them all day without leading the bore, or wearing yourself out. They were very accurate in those two revolvers, too. I was really pleased with that load, I used basically the same load in .357 case, too, I just upped the charge to 5.0gr. with the same bullets.
Hodgdon has a Cowboy Action load data pamphlet I've tried.
Settled on 3.1 grains of Clays with the 154gr China Camp hard cast with wax lube. Shot many thousands of these. Before Clays I used Win 231 for years.
When those CC run out will be switching to poly coated.
Settled on 3.1 grains of Clays with the 154gr China Camp hard cast with wax lube. Shot many thousands of these. Before Clays I used Win 231 for years.
When those CC run out will be switching to poly coated.
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Just loaded a batch with Ramshot True Blue and powder coated Lee 158 RF’s. Shot great out of my Model 15 4” at 830fps.
True Blue runs like water through my Uniflow (the stuff is like powered graphite) and gives very consistent charge weights.
True Blue runs like water through my Uniflow (the stuff is like powered graphite) and gives very consistent charge weights.
5grs of HP-38, Win-231 with just about any bullet from 140gr~160gr.
4grs if using in J-frames.
4grs if using in J-frames.
What bullet weight? 158's?I always liked 4.0 231 with a Speer swaged SWC. I didn't own a chronograph back then, but it was a very comfortable load to shoot in a Smith 36 snubby, and my 6" M-28, you could shoot them all day without leading the bore, or wearing yourself out. They were very accurate in those two revolvers, too. I was really pleased with that load, I used basically the same load in .357 case, too, I just upped the charge to 5.0gr. with the same bullets.
I load a lot of .38 Spl rounds for my wife's S&W Model 64 snub (it once was mine but not anymore). Always used cast bullets ranging from 120gn RNFP, 130gr TC, 148gr DEWC, to 158gr SWC with most of the standard powders, W231, Bullseye, Unique, Titegroup, and 4756 (😢). I have yet to find a poor loading when I stay in the middle load ranges. The DEWC from SNS Casting (or anyone for that matter) are scary accurate and fun to shoot. I try for velocities between 800 and 900 fps. The wife finds them very enjoyable to shoot. When she allows me to shoot my Smith, I can easily erase the X-ring pretty quickly at 10-yards shooting them. So, I can't really give you a go to "perfect load" because I have had great success with just about anything I used. Titegroup was probably even dirtier than Unique at these velocities, but otherwise performed very well. They're all fun, you'll have a blast.
BTW, since sometimes I can't pry the Model 34 away from the wife, I bought a Rock Island Arms, Model 200 4" .38 Spl revolver for me. For less than $300 it is great gun. I havent let the bride shoot it yet, I don't want to lose another pistol. 😆
Grumpy
BTW, since sometimes I can't pry the Model 34 away from the wife, I bought a Rock Island Arms, Model 200 4" .38 Spl revolver for me. For less than $300 it is great gun. I havent let the bride shoot it yet, I don't want to lose another pistol. 😆
Grumpy
Yes, of course. I still think that's the best bullet weight for any .38 revolver. The sights are usually regulated for that weight, if they are fixed sights.What bullet weight? 158's?
With all the new powders that came out in the last 40 years I still use Bullseye or W231. I prefer 158 grain LSWC but in CA if you shoot on an Indoor Range you have to use FMJ or plated bullets.
I’m using X-Treme Bullets a plated 125 grain FP in my 38 Special loads. Very accurate and better than Berry’s Bullets and more affordable than jacketed bullets.
I’m using X-Treme Bullets a plated 125 grain FP in my 38 Special loads. Very accurate and better than Berry’s Bullets and more affordable than jacketed bullets.
I think I’ve read this before from you about not shooting lead in an indoor range. I live in Northern California and we have two indoor ranges. Neither one has any problems with us shooting lead bullets. Where are you getting this information from? Not doubting it, maybe our ranges didn’t get the message.With all the new powders that came out in the last 40 years I still use Bullseye or W231. I prefer 158 grain LSWC but in CA if you shoot on an Indoor Range you have to use FMJ or plated bullets.
A friend sold me an M-36 around 1977 and with it I also stole his favorite handload. While I won't list the charge it was loaded with SR-4756 (yes I know it is now discontinued) - but it was so accurate I just rarely ever tried anything else and I managed to snag three 8 lb canisters of the stuff along the way - I don't load it as hot as he did though!
I've also had good luck with Red Dot and Unique (but I haven't bought any for the last few years).
Still all the powders above look good for .38s to me.
Riposte
I've also had good luck with Red Dot and Unique (but I haven't bought any for the last few years).
Still all the powders above look good for .38s to me.
Riposte
As you'd expect, you will get many different opinions. Personally, I have had good success with Bullseye for 148 gr. HBWC's, and True Blue for 158 gr. SWC in my Ruger GP100, 4" barrel.
Yep, years ago I loaded for my aunt's .38 Spl. (don't remember the model number) and 4.5 gr. of SR4756 under a 148 gr. hollow base wadcutter was a pleasant load to shoot - for self defense I loaded them backwards (hollow base forward) for her. I still have 2 of the 16 pounders and one 1/2 pounder sitting on my powder shelf. I'm saving it for .38 Super. It was a great powder!A friend sold me an M-36 around 1977 and with it I also stole his favorite handload. While I won't list the charge it was loaded with SR-4756 (yes I know it is now discontinued) - but it was so accurate I just rarely ever tried anything else and I managed to snag three 8 lb canisters of the stuff along the way - I don't load it as hot as he did though!
I've also had good luck with Red Dot and Unique (but I haven't bought any for the last few years).
Still all the powders above look good for .38s to me.
Riposte
For decades I’ve used 4.3 grains of 231 with swaged lead 158 grain bullets. Hornady, Speer or Remington, whatever is available. Usually SWC.
Which is weird…you guys just passed a law that you can’t even shoot exposed lead 22’s while hunting. Since everything including a garden hose causes cancer (there), you would think your two indoor ranges are in “violation”. 😆Neither one has any problems with us shooting lead bullets.
Hi Rod,
For straight up accuracy, the only reason I shoot 38spl, is using a 148 DEWC. 3.8 grains of 231 is amazingly accurate.
The bulk of my target rounds are 158 SWC, but I load those light in a 357 case.
Just something about the smoke and the residue left all over your hands from 231 that makes a day of shooting a revolver complete! 🙂
For straight up accuracy, the only reason I shoot 38spl, is using a 148 DEWC. 3.8 grains of 231 is amazingly accurate.
The bulk of my target rounds are 158 SWC, but I load those light in a 357 case.
Just something about the smoke and the residue left all over your hands from 231 that makes a day of shooting a revolver complete! 🙂
I like the Lee 105gr SWC over 4.5 grs Bullseye in my wife’s m67. Flat shooting fun.
In my fixed sight m10 and Rossi snub; 3.5 grs of Red Dot over the Speer swaged 158 gr SWCHP hits hard enough and to the sights.
The .38 Special is my favorite.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
In my fixed sight m10 and Rossi snub; 3.5 grs of Red Dot over the Speer swaged 158 gr SWCHP hits hard enough and to the sights.
The .38 Special is my favorite.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The LAX Indoor Range, Insights Indoor Range (all three of them) and The Target Range. Plus Los Angeles Gun Club doesn’t even let you bring any ammo in. You have to buy their ammunition.I think I’ve read this before from you about not shooting lead in an indoor range. I live in Northern California and we have two indoor ranges. Neither one has any problems with us shooting lead bullets. Where are you getting this information from? Not doubting it, maybe our ranges didn’t get the message.
“Semi-jacketed soft or hollow point & exposed lead rounds are not permitted.”
Sharpshooters Range in Torrance allowed all ammunition including aluminum and steel cases. But closed during the Pandemic and never reopened.
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