need recipe for 38 special

[efnick]

ok, im looking for a mellow, basic load for target practice using-

Berry's 158gr rn tmj bullets.

ill be shooting out of a variety of revolvers, including-

3", 4", 6" barrels.

any recomendations would be great! thanks!

[five.five-six]

what does your manual say is a good starting load?

[wellfedirishman]

Get a reloading manual (or download a recipe from a powder manufacturer) rather than just asking on a forum. You never know whether the person answering you is correct or not, and mistakes can be dangerous.

I personally use Bullseye for 38 special, works great. Here is a recipe (direct from the manufacturer, the safest source):

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Powder.aspx?powderid=1

[efnick]

ok cool. im just learning, and in the process of collecting everything i need to do this. tips like these help. thanks.

[five.five-six]

there is a whole section before the recipes, bout a inch of pages, it is a good idea to give that a gander before you start making things that builld 20,000psi, just inches from your face

[El Gato]

Bullseye is kinda the standard powder but is fairly easy to double charge if you don't watch it...
I prefer Unique which is a little dirty but bulkier and easier to check for double charge...also, it is a bit of a universal powder and good for a variety of calibers and charge levels...and is fairly easy to find etc...

[halifax]

Trail Boss 2.7 - 4.2gr. I've loaded 4.0gr and it is very mild. Hard to double charge with this powder.

158 GR. CAST LSWC IMR Trail Boss .357" 1.475" 2.7 661 11,400 PSI 4.2 804 13,700 PSI

[Shiloh13]

+1 on Trail Boss.
I run 4.0 grains in a .357 case with small pistol primers over a 158 grain LSWC from Dardas Cast. About 800 fps and can be easily adjusted for .38 special cases. Very Mild, clean, and very difficult to overload. A great, safer alternative for the beginning reloader and others looking for a mild target load.

[bruceflinch]

W231, Unique, Bullseye, Accurate #5, Used them all.

Get a manual & start low on the charges.
When I'm working up a load, I'll make about 10-12 of each powder charge to Chronograph. 5-6 for chrono, 5-6 for accuracy.

[wellfedirishman]

Good points about about Trailboss, it is a very nice safe powder to begin loading with. In a 38 special case I don't think it is possible to overload it. It is great for replicating cowboy loads too.

If you email Hodgdon (the manufacturer of Trailboss) they will send you a cowboy loading manual free, I have one at home. It is very helpful.

[AJD]

Does Berry's make TMJ bullets? If they are not FMJ/TMJ, then they are plated which is not the same as FMJ/TMJ. Most people will tell to load them using lead data or mid-range jacketed data. I've used xtreme plated .38 158 gr bullets using lead data, and it seemed to work fine. With .38 special cases I used between 3.5-3.7gr of Titegroup. 3.7gr is what Hodgdon lists as max for a lead 158gr bullet. Also be careful not to overcrimp the bullets if they are indeed plated, as an aggressive crimp can cut into the copper plating.

[efnick]

yea the part about the jacketing being easily damaged is what ive been hearing about.