Lee .358 140 grain cast SWC load data for the .38 Special

[Busyhands94]

Howdy y'all! I recently purchased a Lee two cavity bullet mold for my .38, and would like to find some load data for it.

I've searched online and I can't find much data for this bullet, let alone for any of the powders I have. Right now I have Hodgedon Promo and Clays. I also have CCI #500 small handgun primers. For cases I have Winchester and military surplus cases. The surplus cases are nice and thick, I think they'll last me a while.

Any advice on loads is appreciated. I'd love to have some solid load data on these bullets, I need a standard pressure load though. My gun is an old pinned barrel Smith, and I'd like to keep the loads on the lighter spectrum.

Thanks and happy veterans day, and a BIG thank you to all who served.
~Levi

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I would think 4.5-5 grains of Unique would be a great load for that bullet.
Just find 148 grain data and use that. You'll be fine.

Here is a thread over at the Castboolits site about data for that very bullet.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/archive/index.php/t-23591.html

Happy loading.

 

[Steve C]

Use data for the next heavier common bullet which would be the 141gr bevel or flat based wad cutter.

Promo uses Red Dot data so looking at Lyman #358495 141gr WC charge weight from 2.8 to 4.2gr. of Promo.

For Clays use 2.7gr to 2.8gr.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Use data for the next heavier common bullet which would be the 141gr bevel or flat based wad cutter.

WC bullets go a lot deeper in the case than SWC bullets do. Is that going to cause a pressure problem? It may not, I know the .38 Spcl is a low pressure round to begin with.

 

[V-fib]

this brings up a question that I have on bullet weight. (i'm new to reloading so please bear with me) why do lighter bullets generally have a higher starting charge than a heavier bullet?

thanks V-fib

 

[ljnowell]

this brings up a question that I have on bullet weight. (i'm new to reloading so please bear with me) why do lighter bullets generally have a higher starting charge than a heavier bullet?

Its a pressure thing. A heavier bullet will cause higher pressure. Therefore less powder is needed to make max pressure. What you give up in that scenario is velocity.

 

[zxcvbob]

The best load data match you're probably going to find is for 158 grain SWC +P. (it won't really be +P with the lighter bullet.) For Alliant Promo powder, that should be a little over 3 grains. I loaded some 158 grains bullets in .38 Specials a couple of weeks ago using 2.8 grains of Promo and they were kind of weak but they shot good.

 

[Busyhands94]

Steve C, thank you for posting that chart. Exactly what I needed. I've been kinda "fudging" it with two grains of Hodgedon Clays. Those loads probably don't break 700 FPS, but they're super accurate and my ol' girl likes them.

Kind of off topic here, but I did the math with this calculator:
http://ultimatereloader.com/tools/reloading-costs-calculator/

That moment when I realize I can make .38 Special for less than the cost of .22!
It costs me $1.48 per 50 round box, $29.57 for 1000 rounds. Really an eye opener!

I feel jipped for going to Wallmart and paying $20 for a box of field loads, hehe!

 

[RealGun]

Based upon loads shown in Lee for lead weights in that range, I extrapolate a load of 2.5g Clays as a good one to try. No joy on Promo.

 

[V-fib]

Thanks ljnowell

v-fib

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just be careful when playing with Clays, it can spike pressures with very small changes in powder charge.