Loading down 38special

[CSACANNONEER]

If you really want a light .38 round, go with plastic bullets and primer only. Speer makes both plastic bullets and plastic cases. Both of which are reusable may times.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/315781/speer-plastic-bullets-38-caliber-357-to-358-diameter-box-of-50

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/211008/speer-plastic-cases-38-caliber-box-of-50

Wax bullets would be another good low recoil choice. After that, look into casting some 62 grain bullets with an old H&G mold #333 (if you can find one).

[Citadelgrad87]

My dad bought a ruger lcr, its pretty beastly with defensive ammo.

I load 5.1 of unique over a 125 proj and he says they are mouse farts.

I havemt tried them in my Dan Wesson, but i will this week.

[randomBytes]

I've used 158gr SWC with 3.5gr W231 - in a .357 single action pretty soft shooting - plus folk get to shoot a "cowboy gun".
Not really accurate beyond 7 - 15 yards.

Had to go to 3.8gr W231 to get less drop at 25 yards - still pretty soft out of a heavy gun, but more than a .22

[WMG]

what size of handgun are you using ..... a full size 4 inch barrel one shouldn't be bad and easier with recoil than a snub with the same load by a good margin.
Off the top of my head I use bullseye with 125gr lead round nose with I THINK OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD about 3.2 grains.
From my 4 inch gun , i'd say there isn't recoil....... at least none to report ....as to accuracy .... we were just plugging a styrofoam ice chest at 150yds off hand with darn near every chamber ......... you could hear the bullet pass through the stryofoam , that was neat

[TexasJackKin]

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.

Magnum Primers??

Interesting, I've tried a similar load (125 grain plated, with 4.3 grns of HP38) with standard primers and get the occasional near squib. Maybe I need to try magnum primers.

I was about to start a new thread to ask about this, but I'll try here first. Anybody have any information on this? I'm thinking I'm running at the lower end of the pressure curve and not always getting good ignition?

Magnum primers or slightly more powder?

[Bill Steele]

Magnum Primers??

Interesting, I've tried a similar load (125 grain plated, with 4.3 grns of HP38) with standard primers and get the occasional near squib. Maybe I need to try magnum primers.

I was about to start a new thread to ask about this, but I'll try here first. Anybody have any information on this? I'm thinking I'm running at the lower end of the pressure curve and not always getting good ignition?

Magnum primers or slightly more powder?

I have always felt ball powders and magnum primers were a good match. IN all the testing I have done using most any ball powder, I got more consistent results velocity wise with magnum primers.

I have a buddy who swears that magnum primers and light loading of ball powder are a bad match. His theory is the magnum primer moves the bullet early which actually increases case volume before the peak pressure is reached in burn, so complete combustion is actually hampered (increased pressure tends to increase burn rate).

Probably the only way to know for sure is try it in your application and be careful recording your chronograph results.

[drdarrin@sbcglobal.net]

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.

First, your premise is simply not true. Most 22's have crapy stiff triggers because they are cheaply made and seldom benefit from any smithing. Most people are not willing to pay the same amount for a quality 22 as they would for a larger bore handgun.

Yes, 38's can be loaded down for reduced recoil and muzzle blast, makes them a real pleasure to shoot. Think light for caliber bullets and fast burning powders. One of my favorites are 148 grain HBWC or DEWC bullets I cast myself over Bullseye.


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[stilly]

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

That boollit is meant for .38/.357 but it also works in 9mm and .380. I have not tried .38 sup or .9x21 yet.

That boolit is nice though. I can cast them for days and barely empty the pot... For target loads it is hard to beat.

[bigdawg86]

Colt Army Special 38 Special
148g HBWC
CCI 500
Unique 4g
Seated flush
FPS high 911, low 870, average 888, 5 rounds fired

That seems to be the magic number to keep below 900FPS to prevent leading. Otherwise try 3.8-39g.