.38 Special: What I've Learned After 20,000 Rounds 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. 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. There is a difference in the manufacturing process of swaged bullets. That blunt-ended bullet cut a clean hole all the way through whatever its modest velocity allowed it to penetrate. 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. The .38 Special's MAP is 17,000 psi, whereas for the .38 Special +P it is 20,000 psi. Dennis, I dont reload and Im only 72, but shooting the .38Spl in my 6 S&W 586 is a sublime experience. Anything goes with bullets. 10. With all the loads available, you can surely find one within recoil tolerance. Which left me with the last two. Thanks for your help. JHP, 158 gr. 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. Thats not quite how that works. I favor the appearance of the C/T load and find it slightly easier to grab and orient in the loading process. My sq. You will find plenty of Red Dot loads there. And I still think a 158 at 600 beats hell out of a 22 magnum of any stripe. I went to the grocery store to buy a loath of bread.. He loves this gun and keeps it in reach 24/7. When using a 158 gr. If I get to see him shoot those loads, it would be worth the price of a new keyboard! Maybe its just my age, but I may never shoot a 38 again after discovering the 32. A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air. 38 special loads - Bullseye Forum Don't know of any bullets like that. Reloading for it came next and it has since become my favorite pistol cartridge. .38 Special is a lot more comfortable in a service size revolver like my Model 10. Ive been loading 158gr FMJ with Titegroup and the only problem Ive had is getting the seating depth right after the die locknut slipped. You can't rely on this because not all variables for YOUR cases and chamber and loading length, etc. * 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. Current J frame factory grips have similar features and are made of a stiffer compound. Jack it up a notch and go with .327 Federal Magnum. Is it more bulky? The plated bullets feed nicely through my bullet feeder. I just bought a Lyman mold 160 round nose with a crimp groove. Wadcutters are tailor made for lightweight snubbie practice, allowing shooters to enjoy shooting the pocket guns. I soon traded off a Colt Frontier Scout .22 LR for an S&W Model 15 and happily chased all manner of small game and landfill targets with my stash of wadcutters. 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. Do not use anything but light loads and lead bullets in these older revolvers. 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. Bought my small handed wife a 642. Reloading The .38 Special - Reload Ammo I bought him as a gift a 642 with the black rubber grips, a few speedloaders w/big knob tops, and Hornady 125 grain FTX loads. 3.8 gr. Reloading supplies and load recipes are available everywhere. The key to those rounds, in spite of their paltry muzzle velocity of something like 825 feet per second out of a snubbie, is their diameter and mass: they will make significant diameter holes and penetrate respectably in attackers. There have been guns Ive bought for the caliber, but the .38 wasnt one of those. Thanks very much to LarryinTX for that! Thinking of using it in NRA Action pistol or PPC. 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 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. I use Bullseye powder but it's about the same burn rate. Now, you have to go to a range or have a membership and pay to fill the backstop with lead. in a belt holster at 4:00. By Ive not had a handgun entirely reject either load, so the recipe seems to be a worthy third alongside the previous .38 and .45. 2.7 gr. rattlesnake of a revolver made me bleed. I fired 3 Remington 125 SJHP 357s from a 340 and thought i had nerve damage in my hand. Load with 38 S&W data. 7.) Magnum 44 S&W Special 45 Colt 45 Auto 45 G.A.P 9mm Luger 9x18mm Makarov 32 S&W Long (Cowboy Action) 32-20 Win. 2.) 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. 25 Auto 32 H&R Magnum 32 Auto 32 S&W Long 357 Magnum 38 Special 38 Special +P 38 Super Auto +P 380 Auto 40 S&W 44 Rem. Ive done the majority of shooting in .38 Special in my Smith & Wesson 642. Wow I learned something vital from this topic. I dunno. Like almost all pistol cartridges called ".38" the .38 Special actually takes .357" diameter bullets. SWC, 160 gr. Below, are three loaded rounds. I love a nice, full-size .357 Magnum on the range because it is so easy to train new shooters on. If there is a search function for these forums (didn't see one) I'd be happy to use that too Go to the Alliant website and find the data for Unique and Bullseye. Also internet references 2009, Copyright. Winchester 231 is between Bullseye and Unique for the .38 special (see my personal load above). 357 Magnum 35,000 When I teach other people the basics of reloading, I teach them on the .38 SPL. Hence I carry a semi-auto pistol chambered in .40 S&W. 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 I dont mind it at all, though others do and look to similar performing powders that address these things. 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. 2.9 of Clays is soft enough and dead accurate at 50yds. Testing out some bullseye with 125 berry's bullets.. .38 Special Chronograph Test | Perfect Union i use a Lee mold 150 round nose with 4 grains of bullseye crimped into the crimp groove of the bullet. Zero 158 grain swaged SWC, Starline brass, Winchester or Federal primer, 2.8 grains of Bullseye, roll crimp. But this piece isnt about the gun, but rather the cartridge. Id pay at least a dollar to see it. Good job on you! 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. 38 Special Loads for Bullseye The load you use will be up to your gun. These are put into a large hydraulic press and extruded into a continuous coil of wire. 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. Reloading Data .38 Special (Using Hornady Bullets) Metallic Nice thing about reloading is that loads can be tailored for the gun that you are shooting. 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. A significant difference in speeds is usually noted. Prefer to use the CT model 305 laser grips in lieu of S&W grips. 4.2 gr. The other .38 Special is a 4 Colt Diamondback. 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. Based on this Id load some at 3.3 and 3.5 and see what you get, but Id never exceed 3.8 ever. Bullseye is one of the oldest smokeless pistol powders and still one of the most popular. Some medium fast powders would work with lighter weight bullets. RN, 160 gr. Nitpicking is its own reward., I believe the correct spelling is loathe . Handload: 158 grain round nose lead /3.8 grains Bullseye MV 775 fps ME 210 ft./lbs. 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. My Dad has advanced arthritis and could not longer easily work his auto loaders. Thats what the Cavalry Board asked for over a century ago, and thats what weve got. Midwest Supply Group. MAGTECH 38SPL 125 FMJ FLAT 50/1000 Forget about it. The All-American .38 Special | Load Data Article Yeah no. Speer .38 shot cup, 5 grains of UNIQUE, and (3) #1 Buckshot pellets dates back to the 70s as a Junk Yard Dog load. Has anyone loaded 38 special with these compoments? Thanks for the guidance and suggestions. 38 special , bullseye, and 125 grain lead rnfp Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting : The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and . Use the lead bullet loads with the plated and you will be fine. 1995-2022. I will start ouy at the minimum velocity then. 38 spl.s. .38 Special +P Load Data - PowderThrough In a day you can make over 100,000 bullets. 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. 100 except where otherwise noted in "remarks" Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data. Hodgdon's Basic Reloading Manual, (The free one, available for the asking. If you, I took the vow not to buy any more AR-15s a couple of years ago. Agree 100% since I reload and shoot it since years, lost count. As a young man, I came into a couple of cases of hand-me-down factory mid-range wadcutters. She ran two cylinders of 100 grain wad cutters and gave it back to me. 357 LCR in 3 inch variant. 8.) And for 99% of the actual real world needs of a citizen for self defense it will work just fine. Jacketed bullets are not legal for Distinguished Revolver. Thx so it seems like for the long line I need to get some sagged bullets. 32 H&R Mag 21,000 Accurate's No. Most notably the lighter weight bullets. Just look for a lead remover tool with bronze screens. The Lyman is handy for sizing or priming while youre watching a movie. If you havent taken a look at what the .38 Special offers, youre selling yourself short. Bullseye Handgun Powders Smokeless pistol powder Billions of rounds have been loaded with Bullseye since it was introduced in 1913. I dont bother polishing my .38 brass because I just dont let it fall in the mud or dirt. The flyers tend to be severe. True enough that it doesnt make power factor for Custom Defensive Pistol in IDPA or major in USPSA competition. .38 special Montana Gold 125GR FMJ Load Data???? Just an FYI. Ask your Dealer, or call Hodgdon), has a Cowboy Load section, (near the center fold), that lists data for about all SASS calibers. The 36s greater weight makes it much easier to shoot than the 638. References: Accurate Arms Co. 1996 Reloading booklet Alliant Powder Co. Reloaders Guide (1995) Hodgdons Basic Reloaders Manual (1996) Speer Reloading Manual, #12 Winchester Reloading Components Manual, 14th edition Lyman Piston & Revolver Reloading Handbook, 2nd edition. 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. One cool load Im working on is two pellets of 000 Buck.. But still nothing under 3.5". I bought a Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull last year ahead of a hunt up in Wyoming. 7, No. Enter 38 Special. Minnesota. Too early Are you sure? Haven't tried it in the Colt Officer's Model Match yet. 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. I had enough, The Model 1911 pistol will officially turn 100 years old on May 5, 2011. No. Javascript is required. 38 Special Pet Loads - 24hourcampfire For example, a Glock 17 shot the HAP into 1.35 inches and the FMJ into 2.2 inches at 25 yards. (This is prevalent among most aftermarket designs- they are smallest in the longest, strongest finger area, and largest at the bottom pinkie area.). This gun now wears factory synthetic grips which are decent but could use more girth behind the trigger guard. 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. Is it considered safe to down load a cartridge that far under starting? Some use powders dispersed in liquids, some use electrostatic guns to spray dry powder on their bullets. As an old bullseye guy I've stuck with Bullseye powder for almost 30yearsusing lead bullets. Dec 18, 2011. YouTube has plenty of reloading channels or the Reloaders Network webpage has more info as well. I use Bullseye powder but it's about the same burn rate. each bullet is different for oal due to a crimp groove on most. Its worth mentioning that loaders do all kinds of obsessive rituals to squeeze the groups down. Best to start a little low, and work up slowly with a chrono, though. I.E. Softer alloys of lead are just easier on the machinery. As I said I am not familiar with your frame and suspect it is one of the latest models out by Smith. 38 special load question - Bullseye Forum Really interested in getting the. (Note H110 & W296 are the same as of 2008 as is HP-38 & W231), (IMR 4227 is same as H-4227 if made in Australia), * Blackhorn 209 is a black powder substitute with smokeless like qualities. Reloading Data for .38 Special - Load Data - 1895Gunner hebyta Recoil is the good kind that reminds the shooter handguns are serious tools but without eliciting a flinch. I havent shot too many full house Casull loads, but I get a huge grin when shooting my reduced loads of 7.5grs of Trail Boss under a Cast Performance 360gr WLFN. Never got around to trying the T grips. WST is a good powder for a very specialized load. 125 grain plated flat point in 38 Special - Forums My Ruger LCR .357 Magnum is pleasant to shoot even with full pressure loads. 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. Not all guns are created equal. It is a very versatile and useful round. 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.