.38 Colt Long loads?

[Shivahasagun]

I decided I didn't like .38 Colt Shorts from my .357 revolvers that much.

Mainly because they don't work with my speed loaders but there are other reasons as well.

The point is I traded my way into a few hundred new Starline .38 Colt Long cases to load mildly in my .357 revolvers! I can use the same Lee dies I loaded the Shorts with.

Got any good loads? I have Titegroup, 700x, and HP38 as appropriate powders. I plan on using a BNH 12 158 gr RN coated bullet.

 

[Shivahasagun]

Actually I'll be starting with 140 gr SWC. I don't have the 158's yet.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Are you wanting actual .38 LC loads@13,000 PSI or .38 LC magnum level loads?

Actual 38 LC loads are easy. Just head over to Hodgdon Reloading and use the 150 grain loads for 158 grain bullets. Not a problem for a .357 magnum revolvers.

If you want .357 mag level loads in short cases, I suggest downloading Gordons Reloading Tool. Start with Hodgdon .38 ACP or .38 Super load data for 150 grain bullets, and enter your specific bullet, powder, case length, seating depth, and case volume, and start conservatively. Don't trust that the simulation is 100% accurate, but it will give you somewhere to start.

 

[Shivahasagun]

Are you wanting actual .38 LC loads@13,000 PSI or .38 LC magnum level loads?

Actual 38 LC loads are easy. Just head over to Hodgdon Reloading and use the 150 grain loads for 158 grain bullets. Not a problem for a .357 magnum revolvers.

If you want .357 mag level loads in short cases, I suggest downloading Gordons Reloading Tool. Start with Hodgdon .38 ACP or .38 Super load data for 150 grain bullets, and enter your specific bullet, powder, case length, seating depth, and case volume, and start conservatively. Don't trust that the simulation is 100% accurate, but it will give you somewhere to start.

Thanks.

I do have the Gordons reloading tool.

I'm looking at light loads I can fire 100-150 rds a session from my Sp-101 3" comfortably with 158 gr bullets and good accuracy. I'll be starting with 140 gr SWC's because that's what I have at the moment.
A .3cc dipper throws 3.2 gr of HP38. Lees book shows 2.6-3.3 HP38 with a 150 gr bullet.
I also have a custom dipper and already calibrated Lee Drum for 2.7 gr Titegroup. Lees manual says 2.3-2.8 gr for the 150 gr bullet.

I'll do both of those with these 140 gr bullets.

I wouldn't mind finding a 700x load to see what it does, too. 2.5 gr with the 150 gr bullet would probably be a good place to start.

 

[Blackpowderwarrior]

I use a hollow base bullet 150 gns. The picture shows the store bought with no lube groove next to my home cast and have found triple 7 to be the best powder for 38 long colt.
Velocity's in the low 900s which is still a bit hotter then they were originally loaded

 

[Shivahasagun]

Alright. Got 40 each of what I described loaded up. Didn't do the 700x though.

Hopefully next week I can test them out. I've fired these bullets in .38 SC and .38 Spl and while my Colt likes them the SP-101 shoot them high, right, and not as accurately. They both do well with heavier bullets, especially a @925 fps 180-187 gr.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Thanks.

I do have the Gordons reloading tool.

I'm looking at light loads I can fire 100-150 rds a session from my Sp-101 3" comfortably with 158 gr bullets and good accuracy. I'll be starting with 140 gr SWC's because that's what I have at the moment.
A .3cc dipper throws 3.2 gr of HP38. Lees book shows 2.6-3.3 HP38 with a 150 gr bullet.
I also have a custom dipper and already calibrated Lee Drum for 2.7 gr Titegroup. Lees manual says 2.3-2.8 gr for the 150 gr bullet.

I'll do both of those with these 140 gr bullets.

I wouldn't mind finding a 700x load to see what it does, too. 2.5 gr with the 150 gr bullet would probably be a good place to start.

If you’re just looking for light plinking loads, look at 148 gr 38 special wadcutter data for your .38 LC. The usable case volume is very similar between the two. There is much more WC data out there than there is 38 LC data, and for use in a modern 38 Special or .357, you’re not very likely to run into any pressure problems. If you were loading an antique .38 LC revolver I’d not give that recommendation, but with a newer revolver I’d feel OK with virtually any .38 Special wadcutter load. Just to be safe, you can run it through GRT.

 

[Shivahasagun]

If you’re just looking for light plinking loads, look at 148 gr 38 special wadcutter data for your .38 LC. The usable case volume is very similar between the two. There is much more WC data out there than there is 38 LC data, and for use in a modern 38 Special or .357, you’re not very likely to run into any pressure problems. If you were loading an antique .38 LC revolver I’d not give that recommendation, but with a newer revolver I’d feel OK with virtually any .38 Special wadcutter load. Just to be safe, you can run it through GRT.

No antiques here.

Thanks for the advice but I don't like wide meplat SWC's and really dislike WC's. I like bullets that slip into the chambers and dies more easily.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

No antiques here.

Thanks for the advice but I don't like wide meplat SWC's and really dislike WC's. I like bullets that slip into the chambers and dies more easily.

Just use the WC data with your chosen bullets in LC cases. They may be a little lighter than 148 gr, but seating to the crimp groove in LC cases would approximate the case volume of WC bullets seated in 38 Special cases.

 

[Shivahasagun]

Just use the WC data with your chosen bullets in LC cases. They may be a little lighter than 148 gr, but seating to the crimp groove in LC cases would approximate the case volume of WC bullets seated in 38 Special cases.

Oh, I get it now!

Thanks!

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Oh, I get it now!

Thanks!

These loads will be kind of like .38 LC +P; the in between area between regular .38 LC and .38 Special. Stay at the lower end if you want to better replicate actual .38 LC loads.

 

[Shivahasagun]

These loads will be kind of like .38 LC +P; the in between area between regular .38 LC and .38 Special. Stay at the lower end if you want to better replicate actual .38 LC loads.

I'll report back on velocities & accuracy when I have that. I'm pretty good about posting results.

 

[Jim Watson]

I wouldn't mind finding a 700x load to see what it does, too. 2.5 gr with the 150 gr bullet would probably be a good place to start.

Do be careful with pistol loads of 700X. I can tell you for sure that CH and Dillon measures will occasionally drop one grain when 2.5 or more is wanted. Even in a block between single stage batches you will have to look closely.

 

[Shivahasagun]

Do be careful with pistol loads of 700X. I can tell you for sure that CH and Dillon measures will occasionally drop one grain when 2.5 or more is wanted. Even in a block between single stage batches you will have to look closely.

I only use dippers with 700x so far.

Thanks!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I only use dippers with 700x so far.

Thanks!

Ditto. But I also weigh every time. I’m just super paranoid about powder.

 

[Shivahasagun]

Ditto. But I also weigh every time. I’m just super paranoid about powder.

I weigh a bunch of times. Go light and check that, shake it down, heap it up, have some on the neck, etc. That way I get a good idea of the range.

Then while actually dipping and loading if I get a result on the dipper that's much different than the others I'll dump & re-dip that one for the sake of consistency.

I typically go with how much I can possibly heap on, whether a stock dipper or custom. But not always.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Go light and check that, shake it down, heap it up, have some on the neck

Great! Now I’ve got the theme from, “Rawhide!” running through my head.

I always say, if it works for you, then it works. I don’t try to teach granny how to scramble eggs.

 

[Shivahasagun]

Great! Now I’ve got the theme from, “Rawhide!” running through my head.

I always say, if it works for you, then it works. I don’t try to teach granny how to scramble eggs.

Ha! I didn't catch that! Good one!

I'll probably hear it every time i dip from now on, too!