38 Special load data suggestions...

[1bulletBarney]

I just jailed a S&W Model 27-9 revolver...

Here is what I have on hand to work with...

HP38, Titegroup, & Bullseye powder & CCI 500 SPP. I also paid attention to what was on the ground on range trips & managed to scrounge about 200 pieces of 38 Special brass...

Checking out X-treme & Berry's Bullets for 1000 count in either 125 or 158 grain FP plated bullets. I did print up data from Alliant & Hodgdon websites & have a Lyman's 49th Edition Reloading Bible for reference...

I hand prime & reload with a Lee Turret Press...

I know I can work this out but I also know there is skill in here and open to suggestions for some home rolled plinking ammo...

[pennstater]

.38 spl

Think I'd stay with the 158's.

MLC

[ysr_racer]

Titegroup is filthy in revolvers. HP38 is the same as 231 which is the gold standard for .38 special.

Go with 158

Name: .38 Special: 158gr Berry's: 231 4.6gr
Shots: 14
Average: 689 ft/s
SD: 15 ft/s
Min: 668 ft/s
Max: 723 ft/s
Spread: 55 ft/s
Power Factor Average: 108
Power Factor Low: 105
Power Factor High: 114
Weight: 158.0 gr.

[ysr_racer]

Name: .38 Special: 158gr Berry's: Accurate Arms #2 4.3gr
Notes: S&W 627 5" barrel
Shots: 6
Average: 733 ft/s
SD: 8 ft/s
Min: 724 ft/s
Max: 749 ft/s
Spread: 25 ft/s
Power Factor Average: 115
Power Factor Low: 114
Power Factor High: 118
Weight: 158.0 gr.

[ysr_racer]

Name: .38 Special: 158gr Berry's: Clays 3.7gr
Shots: 6
Average: 748 ft/s
SD: 20 ft/s
Min: 730 ft/s
Max: 776 ft/s
Spread: 46 ft/s
Power Factor Average: 118
Power Factor Low: 115
Power Factor High: 122
Weight: 158.0 gr.

[jdmacl]

I'm pretty much restating what's already been said but...

I've reloaded 38. Spl for years (have three S&W .357 revolvers) and have found that Berry's 158gr are ideal for .38. I use W231, but since you have HP38, you're golden.

Good luck and have fun!

[TomReloaded]

Since it's a revolver, you can shoot basically any bullet with basically any powder that has published data. There's no worry about feeding or cycling. There's no real practical reason to specifically use 158's or 125's, though both work.

I'd buy both and see which one you like. It's purely preference.

[ysr_racer]

Heavier bullets going slower recoil less.

[ar15barrels]

I just jailed a S&W Model 27-9 revolver...

Here is what I have on hand to work with...

HP38, Titegroup, & Bullseye powder & CCI 500 SPP. I also paid attention to what was on the ground on range trips & managed to scrounge about 200 pieces of 38 Special brass...

Checking out X-treme & Berry's Bullets for 1000 count in either 125 or 158 grain FP plated bullets. I did print up data from Alliant & Hodgdon websites & have a Lyman's 49th Edition Reloading Bible for reference...

I hand prime & reload with a Lee Turret Press...

I know I can work this out but I also know there is skill in here and open to suggestions for some home rolled plinking ammo...

3.5gr of bullseye under a 158 is a go-to-load for decades.

[hermosabeach]

I'm a fan of HBWC

Crazy accurate bullet shape for lead...

All the mass is at the outside edge... I forget the physics lesson- same reason why a frisbee has a lip... more rotational mass for stability...


I used 700X for years with the 147/148 grain HBWC

This was the first stuff I loaded unsupervised as a kid... my dad preferred larger volume powder so one would hopefully not make a dumb mistake...

like setting the powder measure one time to 12 grains not 10.2 grains while loading the 44

I loaded on a single stage press so I would look down on the powder... never had a double charge... but I always checked before seating...


Some love bullseye as a little powder goes a long way

--
I broke from the book and load mine 3/16" proud of the case... easy to spot empties from loaded ammo


I was looking at these

https://www.precisiondelta.com/products/38-cal-148gr-hbwc-ml/

[ysr_racer]

Keep in mind when you load .38 special, that the case can easily hold a TRIPLE CHARGE. This also means your first shot will likely be soft if all the powder is down by the bullet.

They way around this is to load your revolver, point the barrel up, tap the cylinder a few times, then fire it.

[eaglemike]

3.5gr of bullseye under a 158 is a go-to-load for decades.

Agree.
This was recommended to me as a classic load in the middle 1970's.

[Imageview]

Have double charged titegroup. It scared the crap out of me. Easy to double charge bullseye as well. I have loaded with both and the difference between the two is negligible in my experience. Similarly I don't find the recoil difference between 125s and 158s to be particularly significant with normal loads. Both work nicely, and arguments over which are better is basically Chevy vs Ford.

[eaglemike]

If you want a load that's hard to double charge, look at Trail Boss. Often used in cowboy loads, as low pressure and safe loads.

[Gryff]

Not sure what result you are looking for, but this is my soft-shooting competition load.

160gr coated LRN from Bayou, BBI, or DG Bullets
3.7gr W231
1.47" OAL

I get around 760fps out of a 4" S&W 686 with this recipe.