Loading down 38special

[hardlyworking]

Good morning folks, a question about soft-shooting 38 special.

From what I understand, 22LR needs a pretty stout crack from the firing pin, which means that 22LR DA revolvers by necessity have a rather stiff trigger pull. This makes them less than ideal for a teaching/training tool for accuracy.

Can you load down a 38 special so the recoil and report are minimized? It seems like this might be a good way to get into a smooth/lighter DA pulling revolver.

I've only loaded rifle cartridges thus far, but I'm thinking about picking up an LCR and would like the kids to get used to it too.

[DougJ]

38 Special has a large case volume, so be a little picky of the powder you use since a light load will have little powder in that big case. Titegroup advertising says "Unlike pistol powders of the past, powder position in large cases (45 Colt, 357 Magnum and others) has virtually no effect on velocity and performance."

I have found this to be true, with extreemly light loadings working perfectly. Unlike other powders I tried for this, I appeared to get a complete burn as well.

I loaded some very light stuff for my wife to train with using a 125gr cowboy action bullet. I'm not at home and I don't remember the charge weight. Hodgdon data shows 3.2gr for starting, I know I went below that but I'm not sure what the number was, maybe 2.8 or .9. Anyway, it was a very light recoiling round with adequate accuracy for short range training.

[rm1911]

The lcr has a very nice trigger. They designed it to load up progressively, or something like that. How do I know this? My mom has arthritis in her hands. She couldn't handle the recoil of anything I tried except 22. And she can shoot her lcr 22 fine.

As for 38's, try a cast bullet and 2 gr bullseye. Even better, get trail boss. Don't know what load for it, but it'll be a nice little poof.

[Bill Steele]

To load light on 38 Special, just stick with fast powders, they are less position sensitive in the case and by definition limited in their velocity for a given bullet weight (less velocity, less recoil).

There are tons of 148gr LSWC bullet loads for target purposes, should work well for you.

[M1NM]

158 grain wad cutter and 2.5 grains of bullseye.

[BigBronco]

158gr semi w/c with 4gr if trail boss makes a very light recoil round. Or with 4.2gr of unique.

[GILMORE619]

I've been casting a Lee 105gr swc with 2.8 gr bullseye for a light shooting 38sp

[Khromo]

A 148 grain hollow base wadcutter over 3.1 grains of WW231 is freakishly accurate out beyond 50 yards, and an absolute powder puff to shoot. Clean, cheap, quiet, an ideal training and competition round.

Take care, though, because the powder just covers the bottom of the case. A careless reloader could easily fit multiple charges in a case.

[al123]

Light 38 special loads

Use Trail Boss. Check the Hodgdon online manual. Best used with lead (not plated or FMJ) bullets. Super light recoil.

Using proper loads per Hodgdon's manual, it's very hard to double charge (I think impossible but one allows for creative human FUBAR).

[hermosabeach]

it is all about the weight of the gun... a Charlies Angel 38 kicks like a mule while a 686 with a 6" barrel is gentle...


With that said, 147/148 grain wadcutters with 700X.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

The Light bullets 110 grain use more powder than the 147 grains... the heavier bullet moves slower and allows for the powder to burn longer...

110 can be snappy

the 147/148 grain are very light recoil

[pennstater]

158gr semi w/c with 4gr if trail boss makes a very light recoil round. Or with 4.2gr of unique.

^^^This one right here.^^^

[Unretarded]

158gr semi w/c with 4gr if trail boss makes a very light recoil round. Or with 4.2gr of unique.

^^^^^


DO NOT USE my info as it is just from memory....but I seem to recall the last reloads I shot were 158 gr swc with 3.7 or 3.8 trailboss..........super low recoil, very accurate.

[357magnum]

My favorite .38spl load.
125gr jacketed bullet - .38spl brass - 4.4gr W231 - magnum primer.
125gr jacketed bullet - .357 mag brass - 5.0gr W231 - magnum primer.
Easy shooting and very accurate.

[hambam105]

"ah, here you go kiddies, try shooting this 38 Special"

That will give the lib demos a hissy fit. Either way a great idea no doubt. Continue, please.

[hardlyworking]

Lots of great answers in here, thank you gang!