Help Requested - .38 Special Plinking Loads - Berry's Plated 158gr RN & 148 DEWC

[hanno]

I was given some .38 Special Berry's plated 158 gr RN and 148 gr DEWC bullets.

I normally load (and shoot) .45 ACP but figured I'd start loading for my S &W Model 15-3 using these bullets.

I would appreciate anyone sharing a good low recoil, accurate, plinking load. I would especially appreciate loads using Bullseye, W231, or Trailboss powder as I already have a good stock of those powders.

Anyone here have a pet load they want to share?

Thanks,
hanno

 

[rcmodel]

3.0 Bullseye with the 148.
3.5 Bullseye with the 158.

rc

 

[Minnesota Wild]

I've not used the plated DEWCs, but I have loaded hardcast lead 148 gr DEWCs. I've found those to work great with 3.0 to 3.5 of Bullseye in my model 14-3.

 

[Overkilll0084]

148-3.0 Bullseye
158-3.1 Bullseye.

 

[Walkalong]

Around 3.5 to 3.8 Grs of a fast pistol powder. You can of course go lower if that recoil is more than you want, but it is fairly mild. Not mouse fart level, but mild.

 

[PO2Hammer]

Don't go too low though, I stuck a plated DEWC in my .357's barrel using a light charge.

 

[Walkalong]

Berry advises a minimum of 800 FPS with the 148 WC, and in my testing you need at least an average 600 FPS from a 6" barrel with a powder that is not very position sensitive to be safe. They will get out at lower velocities, but I consider 600 FPS to be a minimum safe velocity with a little bit of fudge factor.

 

[ChuckB]

I've only loaded their 158gr. RN, but it works great over 3.2gr. of Bullseye.

Chuck

 

[joneb]

I'm not convinced using lead data for plated 148gr WC's is the way to go, the long driving band and added friction of copper would make me want to start at 3.4gr of Bullseye and 3.8gr of W-231. I would think barrel length would play a part in this.
To me a 148gr plated WC seems problematic, I would not choose this bullet, but it has chosen you
You could contact Berry's for a appropriate starting load.

 

[Walkalong]

I'm not convinced using lead data for plated 148gr WC's is the way to go

It isn't. It takes more powder. I have shot a bunch of the 148 Gr DEWC & HBWC's from Berrys. They shoot pretty well. Not as well as lead HBWC's.

Use 3.5 Grs and up of a fast powder like Bullseye, WST, Competition, Clays, etc.

3.5 Grs of any of these should get you over 600 FPS from a 6" tube, and a little more powder will work better.

If you go lower than 3.5, make sure the bullet gets out of the barrel, especially if you hold the muzzle down, then bring the gun up and shoot, keeping the powder forward in the case away from the primer, although this is not nearly as big a problem as it is with a 125 Gr bullet with more empty space in the case.

 

[hanno]

Thanks guys, I do appreciate it.

I'm going to try some loads within the data you all provided and see what works best.

Will be shooting with a 4" barrel.

 

[engineermike]

I've had pretty good luck with Berry's 158 grain bullet with 4.0 grains of Win 231 using a 1.450 C.O.L. Works well in my 38 special.

 

[Walkalong]

I tried 4.0 and 4.2 Grs W-231, and both shot well, but the 4.2 Gr load was more consistent ES & SD wise.

 

[joneb]

but the 4.2 Gr load was more consistent ES & SD wise.

That's interesting, 4.2gr of W-231 is my favorite load with a 158gr LSWC for 38spl.

Walkalong, have you tried 4.3gr for the 158gr plated SWCs ?

 

[Walkalong]

4.2 Grs of W-231 with an X-Treme 158 Gr SWC @ 76 degrees gave me right at 700 FPS from a 4" Model 10 HB, and it shot well, but the ES number was a bit big. I probably should have tried 4.3, but I got sidetracked with something else.

3.8 Grs of N310 was super accurate and gave around 725 FPS from the 4" M-10 HB.

3.5 Grs Competition gave around 650 from the 4" M-10 HB and around 700 FPS from a 6" Colt OMM. My notes say to try 3.6 Grs.

The Berrys 158 Gr RN & HP shot pretty well, but my guns liked the X-Treme 158 Gr SWC better.

Check load books and use these loads at your own risk