Need 38 Special Load Data

[nevadabob]

Does anyone load with the following: I have a Taurus M85 38 special revolver with 2" barrel, 3 powders on hand (AA#2, AA#5, & Win 231), and 1K Xtreme 158 gr. plated round nose. I have the books but am looking for your load data (including COL) for the above. Care to share? Thanks!

 

[kennedy]

I am loading for a taurus M850 with the 2 in barrel also. so far I found 3.5gr of 231 was comfortable to shoot, then I tried 4.0 gr of 231 and it hurt my hand.

 

[BossHogg]

Just stay away from low end lead loads. I think plated should be upper lead to low jacketed loads. W 231 should work for you with the 38 spl. Try W 231 at 4.2 gr with a Col of 1.45 with a light crimp.

 

[Josh45]

W231 Does work for the .38 SPCL. Great powder for it if you ask and best alternative to Bullseye. I got good accuracy with a 125 GR bullet.

I know you said you got the book and ask for others recipes but I haven't used a 158 with 231 yet. You can always go online to the powder maker and find load data from them and see what it says compared to the manual.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Just stay away from low end lead loads..

Why? You want lead for "low end" loads.. much less likely to stick in the barrel.

 

[BossHogg]

Why? You want lead for "low end" loads.. much less likely to stick in the barrel.

Low end lead loads are great for lead bullets. He's shooting plated which take more powder to clear the barrel. The easiest way to stick a plated bullet in the barrel is with low lead loads. Lead bullets are great for light loads, plated not so much.

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
I see what you were saying now.

 

[nevadabob]

Thanks! I appreciate the info.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree W231 is a great .38 Special powder. With a 158gr lead bullet I charge 4.0gr. I think you use the same data for lead bullets and plated bullets.

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

I use 3.5 grs of bullsye shooting out of a smith 442 with a 1.87" barrel. I use 158 swc. I love this load. It seems accurate and mid range according to several books.

 

[Walkalong]

As posted, stay away from low end lead data as it can stick a plated bullet in some applications, especially with 158s.

Use midrange jacketed data and you will be fine. If you stop at 75% of jacketed data you will be fine, but in some applications that can be passed.

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