Best .38 Special Handloads

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film495

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What do you like to load in .38 Special and/or +P? When I look at Hodgdon reloading some powders seem to consistenly generate more velocity than others. I currently have Win231, which is supposed to be good, but it isn't one of the powders that seems to just always be listed as highest accross a range of bullet weights, so - is that real world or just a data peculiarity and I'm seeing a pattern where there isn't one. Longshot and CFE Pistol and others, seem to almost always show a max velocity nearly 200 fps faster. That seems like a lot, maybe those pistols are better suited to .38 Special? Any favorite bullets? I've only done SWC and thinking of getting hollow point SWC also in 158 grain, just to have something else to work with. Just curious what people landed on at the other end of the journey I'm on with this.
 
film495 said:
What do you like to load in .38 Special and/or +P? When I look at Hodgdon reloading some powders seem to consistenly generate more velocity than others. I currently have Win231, which is supposed to be good, but it isn't one of the powders that seems to just always be listed as highest accross a range of bullet weights, so - is that real world or just a data peculiarity and I'm seeing a pattern where there isn't one. Longshot and CFE Pistol and others, seem to almost always show a max velocity nearly 200 fps faster. That seems like a lot, maybe those pistols are better suited to .38 Special? Any favorite bullets? I've only done SWC and thinking of getting hollow point SWC also in 158 grain, just to have something else to work with. Just curious what people landed on at the other end of the journey I'm on with this.
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If you are after the highest velocity then fast powders like 231 won’t be your friend. If you want really accurate loads, it will.
 
film495 said:
What do you like to load in .38 Special
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I like a 158gr sjsp (semi-jacketed soft point) over 3.9gr of W231. I've been meaning to try 4.0 and 4.1 for a few years, but the 3.9gr load is plenty accurate for me. I shoot this load through a 20+ year old Colt King Cobra.

film495 said:
I currently have Win231, which is supposed to be good, but it isn't one of the powders that seems to just always be listed as highest accross a range of bullet weights, so - is that real world or just a data peculiarity and I'm seeing a pattern where there isn't one. Longshot and CFE Pistol and others, seem to almost always show a max velocity nearly 200 fps faster.
Click to expand...

W231 gives me good accuracy across several calibers, but if you're looking for max velocity there are better choices. I look for best accuracy in my guns.

chris
 
1KPerDay said:
If you are after the highest velocity then fast powders like 231 won’t be your friend. If you want really accurate loads, it will.
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good to know, since I do like hitting the target, and I already have a few lbs of Win 231
 
I have a Clays load with a 148 grain plated wad cutter that is very accurate in both my 357's (A Ruger and a Colt). Not in the shop right now, but if memory serves, it's 2.5 grains of Clays with a CCI-500 primer. At 7-10 yards, if I do my part, it will shoot practically in one hole....I rarely do my part....;)
 
My +p .38 spl loads are 5.0 grains of 231 with a 150 grain Lee RNFP bullet. I have to look at my notes to give you accurate readings through my chronograph but off the top of my head they were averaging in the neighborhood of 900 fps through my 4” Python.
 
Minimum or +.1 grains of Silhouette and a 125 grain coated lead RNFP. It shoots the best of all the 38 Special loads I’ve tried from my Blackhawk.
 
W231/HP38 are my favorite powders for .38 Special 158 LSWC loads. I've used them since the 90's. 3.5 - 4.2 grains for a pleasant target load. For +p loads my go to for the same bullet is 6.0 grains of Power Pistol. Out of my 4" model 15 it chronographs at (+/-) 1050 FPS. This load is from the Alliant website.
 
I started reloading 38 special in 1967 , it's been a long road and looking back over my notes , I have two favorite loads developed over all those years of casting , loading and shooting .

#1.) Accuracy Load - 160 gr. WC Lyman #358432 (or any cast 158 gr. SWC Keith style bullet)
over 3.7 grs. HP-38 ( or W231 ) powder @ 750 fps
Standard pressure 38 special load that has proven accurate .

#2.) +P 38 Special Load - 160 gr. WC Lyman #358432 ( or any cast 158 gr. SWC Keith style bullet)
over 5.4 grs. Unique @ 950 fps
This is a heavy , +P load and should be fired in guns rated for +P loads . Very Accurate load .
I have been shooting these in my Ruger Blackhawk 357 magnum revolver for the last 50 years with no problems at all .

After 50 years ... the above two loads are all I have ... wish it was something more ...Earth Shaking ...
but it is what it is ... two good loads !
Gary

Update - I forgot to list one of the "Classic" Target Loads ... nothing beats a 148 gr. cast wadcutter , Lyman #358091 or Lee #358-148-WC (button nose) over 2.7 grs Bullseye ... it's the best target load you can ever put in your 38 special ... and I almost forgot to list it !
Gary
 
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You have a ton of choices in 38 and if your punching paper velosity doesn't matter. 3.8 tight group, 3.4 red dot and many more have done excellent for me. I shoot cast lead so those are the loads I focus on. It seems the position of most tht SD rounds should be bought, so barring that need, what are you trying to accomplish. I load a lot of heavies at 20kpsi but I'm shooting them in 357 pistols and carbine.
 
Targa said:
My +p .38 spl loads are 5.0 grains of 231 with a 150 grain Lee RNFP bullet. I have to look at my notes to give you accurate readings through my chronograph but off the top of my head they were averaging in the neighborhood of 900 fps through my 4” Python.
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Great load! I load 158gn Bear Creek lead RNFP with 5.0gn 231 and it gives me a little over 900fps with superb accuracy out of a 6" GP100 using .357 cases.
Time to go to the range 👍

EDIT
Chronoed this load again today and 5 shot average was 940fps 357 cases

Five with 38 cases, 3.0 BE with 148gn HBWC went out @ 735fps.

Both tests today were with a 4" SP101 and very accurate.

Did my Ruger MK IV, 5" using CCI MINI MAG 40gn. Those rolled out @ 1050 fps.

That's all folks!!!
 
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film495 said:
this brings up my famous question for reloaders. do you like reloading or shooting more?


hey guys, on those RNFP bullets are those lead or semi-jacketed? FMJ?
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I use Gallant 125 grain RNFP cast and coated bullets. I think it’s a Hi-tech coating. My Blackhawk shoot last them better from 357 cases at 38 Special +P velocity but they shoot one hole from 10 yards from 38 cases too.
 
film495 said:
this brings up my famous question for reloaders. do you like reloading or shooting more?


hey guys, on those RNFP bullets are those lead or semi-jacketed? FMJ?
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I definitely like reloading and bullet casting more than shooting, but I try to shoot between 200 and 300 rounds a week, so I can reload more.
 
The 38 sleeper. You won’t read about it elsewhere. But that’s why you asked, right? :)

Bullet: MBC 180 grain pugnose cast Hi-Tek coated, 0.357” dia, 18 BHN
Powder: Tightgroup 4.0 grains
Primer: Don‘t matter
OAL: 1.50” , roll crimped, matters a lot

4” barrel 820 fps
6” barrel 830 fps
16” barrel 970 fps

Will punch two holes, one in, one out.
 
How about some old Hornady hollow point ,does not say xtp on box. Same number , with less 0 at the end. 110 gr. And Sierra 125 hollow cavity rds. Older ones as well. Getting ready to load them. Just wondering about in put. Just plinking fun ammo
 
Ru4real said:
The 38 sleeper. You won’t read about it elsewhere. But that’s why you asked, right? :)

Bullet: MBC 180 grain pugnose cast Hi-Tek coated, 0.357” dia, 18 BHN
Powder: Tightgroup 4.0 grains
Primer: Don‘t matter
OAL: 1.50” , roll crimped, matters a lot

4” barrel 820 fps
6” barrel 830 fps
16” barrel 970 fps

Will punch two holes, one in, one out.
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I find it interesting how the middle ground bullet weights are basically abandoned. On one side you have 110 and 125 hollowpoints and on the other 180-200 gainers with people excited about the new Lee 200 grain mold. I tend heavy but my cowboy lever has a slower twist so it gets the 150 class because that's what it wants. My other two get 170 Keith and 180 rcbs sil.
 
I only load 158gr LSWC bullets in both light and +P loads in .38spl and heavier loads in .357mag.
 
158gr or 125 bullets from Everglades ammo and titegroup works well for me. Right in the middle or each end of the load data provided by hogdons site. (Depending on the length of barrel I’m loading for)

I don’t get fancy. For me it’s just paper punchers and factory for defense. But I use titegroup for all my pistol calibers. It’s clean and very forgiving and versatile
 
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