Hi, blueduck - - -
I've been out of town for a couple of days and just now read your post. Coincidentally, I just last night sat down and ran off a hundred .38 loads-- 158 LSWC with 4.5 gr. of 231 - - adjusting the 550B. This is barely a standard factory load, just for messing around. I'll load the rest of the 500 pack with this load, and then some of the 4.0 231 load for the alloy snubs. I use a 158 RNL for them, just to easily tell the difference.
Later on, I'll load up some long-nosed 165 LSWCs with +P charges of Unique for my son to use hunting with his Colt .38 six-inch.
By that time, I'll be in the mood to run off 500 or so 130 FMJ RNs for plate shooting, using Winchester Super Target. This is a good, clean-shooting load, by the way, but it bears little kinship with what I consider "Street" or "Field" loads.
Then, I'll back out the seating and crimping dies and build some moderate .357 loads with the 165. When all THAT is said and done, it'll be time to set up the chronograph and experiment with some heavier .357 loads, both with lead SWC and XTP HPs.
Clark, I've had several Police Positives over the years, but seldom apreciated what a nifty little wheel gun they are. I'm back to looking for one, or possibly a three-inch Detective Special. More compact than a K frame Smith, but enough beef to handle modestly warm loads.
What kind of .38/.357s are you shooting,
Blueduck? My above assortment will go through several family-and-friends revolvers, including alloy and steel J-frames, K and N frames, a Taurus, and a couple of Colts.
I've been doing so much .45 and 9 mm shooting lately, I've almost forgotten how much
FUN the .36 resolvers can be. Hope you all enjoy yours as much as we do ours.
Best,
Johnny