What is your most accurate .38 Special load?

[Thomasss]

Please include specifics of the load, if possible, primer, powder, bullet type and size weight, etc. Proof would be nice too with targets or ?
If you use factory ammo, include that too.

 

[BJung]

38-148WC - 2.9 gr Bullseye, OAL - case length with slight crimp to remove the flair. 2.8gr might be the alternative for another lot of BE. Just as accurate is 3.1gr BE, OAL with case mouth slightly crimped at the first lube groove.. Winchester brass and WSP
38-140 HP Lee - 4.2AA2 or 6.2 AA5. 2/6 = 3/8", 4/6 = 1", 6/6 = 2-1/4" at 25 yards. Winchester brass and WSP
38150 SWC Lee - 3.6gr Bullseye. 3/6 =1/2", 5/6 =2", 6/6 = 4" at 25 yards. Winchester brass and WSP

I have not conducted AOL tests for the last two loads and they were probably crimped at the crimp groove. The cases used were most likely Winchester but I haven't done a comparison. I have testloads comparing various brass headstamps that have not been shot yet. I suspect the case I.D. .001" less than the bullet diameter would be best or a consistent wall thickness for neck tension given a specfic charge.

 

[Taroman]

Probably not what you're looking for, but this one does it for me.
This is a +P I loaded for Hunter Silhouette competition:
LRN 160 Power Pistol GR: 6.3 LO: 941 HI: 969 AVG: 955 ES: 28 SD: 9.07
No paper record, but regularly dings the little rams at 100 yards.
Note added: Starline brass, Federal SPP.

 

[N555]

Mine exceeds +p charge weight and are only used in 357 mag.

 

[lightman]

Any headstamp brass, 2.8 grains of Bullseye or Win 231, CCI small pistol primer and a Speer 148 grain HBWC. The double ended ZERO WC shoots well as does my cast 148 grain WC.

 

[EMC45]

Lee 158gr RNFP over 3gr. Bullseye. Most shot and most accurate.

 

[fxvr5]

My S&W Model 67 prefers 110 and 125 grain JHP bullets. Several different 110 JHP bullets and several powders produce 24-shot groups under 1.5" at 25 yards.

 

[wcwhitey]

148 HBWC used Speer mostly over 2.7 Grains of Bullseye seated flush slight roll crimp. Anyone’s primers and mixed brass (sorted though). Next is 158 SWC hard cast (RimRock or MBC) 5.0 grains of Unique (on the +P side). A good factory duplication load for the 158 SWC-HP. Has always been a tack driver for me, note that it is above the current factory recommendation of 4.7 grains for standard pressure. Again mixed brass anyone’s primer.

Two classic loads for a reason.

 

[Walkalong]

Lead HBWCs are more accurate, but I don't need that level of accuracy, so I mostly shoot the Berrys plated HBWC with WST, Competition, or AA #2.
When it gets time to buy more bullets, I may go coated DEWCs. They shoot great in .32 Long, so no reason to believe they wouldn't in .38 Spl.

 

[PapaG]

I find it hard not to get accuracy from the special, especially with my hand cast bullets and book loads using Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 data from my Lyman manuals ranging from the 1950s up through the latest. The first Lyman cast bullet manual has given me some of the best loads.
Bullets: 357446, 358156, 358432, and RCBS 38-150KT and RCBS 38-200RN.
A couple, the Thompson gas check and RCBS 150 as well as the 160 grain was cutter have produced one hole groups at 25 yards from sandbags.
The 357446 out of my Ruger stainless Blackhawk, in 357 cases with 12 2400 has done 5" at 100 on a good day. (killed a deer with it also). Not hot but effective.

 

[DMW1116]

My 357 Blackhawk doesn’t seem to like 38 Special much. I’ve got one good load though. A Gallant 125 grain RNFP cast and coated over a minimal charge of Silhouette. Shoots one hole at 10 yards but it gets shaky beyond that. Don’t know why but it’s tough to keep all my shots on a 6” circle at 25 yards with it.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My competition load from the last couple of years has proven more accurate than any I've tried previously when it comes to engaging targets out at 45+ yards with my 4" S&W 686

NLG 170gr polymer coated RN, over 3.1 grs of Clays, ignited by a Federal Match SPP, seated in W-W trimmed brass cases, and roll crimped hard enough that they don't lock up the cylinder if I get a squib

 

[.38 Special]

2.7 Bullseye, 148 Hornady HBWC. Brass and primer don't seem to matter. The bullet is the magic; I've never found any other brand or style to be as accurate in as wide a variety of guns. In my old Jarvis PPC gun the load was better than I could ever prove. The best I could manage - "perfect" sight alignment and trigger release, with a solid rest - resulted in 2" 50 yard groups, and I always knew that the gun and load was capable of better, if only I'd been good enough.

 

[pairof44sp]

Please include specifics of the load, if possible, primer, powder, bullet type and size weight, etc. Proof would be nice too with targets or ?
If you use factory ammo, include that too.

Thank you for your thread. Can't believe Jacksonville still lost.

 

[35 Whelen]

Favorite and most accurate .38 Special load-
Brass- Any
Primer- Any standard SPP, I haven't found any meaningful difference in accuracy from one brand primer to the next.
Powder & charge- Mostly 4.7 grs. of AL20/28 (this is a non-published load) or 5.0 grs. of Unique either of which gives virtually the same velocity.
Bullet- 158 gr. SWC cast from an H&G #51 mold or a 153 gr. SWC cast from a Lyman 358477 mold.

This combination of components and bullet yields ~900 fps from any of my 4" .38 Specials.

I think enough of and shoot enough of this load to keep a Dillon 550 set up for it.

Targets-

Many of the 25 yd. targets appear to have groups whose point of impact is not centered. This is because in most cases the point of aim I chose was a dark spot or a shadow created by a dimple from a bullet impact. This load for the most part shoots to the sights in every .38 I've tried, only occasionally impacting an inch or so above POA at 25 yds. For some reason I cannot shoot pistols worth a flip from a benchrest so these targets are fired either offhand or from a seated, back-rested position.



35W

 

[BWS]

I don't know about the most accurate but,certainly one of the most used here;

Pretty much any case.... Federal primer.... 140g Lee SWC.... 5G 231.

Great squirrel and rabbit load. Called head shots are the norm.

 

[rfwobbly]

AA No.2 and MBC 148gr coated DEWC in a 6" GP100.



Target shot at 30 feet (10yds), supported.

 

[Lee Q. Loader]

I find it hard not to get accuracy from the special, especially with my hand cast bullets and book loads using Bullseye, Unique, and 2400 data from my Lyman manuals

I couldn't agree more with this statement.
I've never loaded wadcutters, but I've loaded tons of 158 SWC's. 3.3 grains of bullseye, with any 158 SWC is accurate for me. I switched to powder coated, not because of any leading problems, but strictly because they shoot every bit as well as the lubed lead without gumming up my dies.

 

[PapaG]

I'm just a slow to learn or adapt old guy. My fear of coated bullets is probably irrational but I used to spray a lot of paint, much of it acrylic, and the airless sprayer nozzles seemed to wear extremely fast. I'd hate to think wear on barrels would be similar. I admit I haven't researched this and have shot some coated bullets but not from my nice revolvers. Nothing but alox/beeswax lubed lead through my 14, 19, 686, 29, 624, and Blackhawks.
I'm willing to learn.

 

[hdbiker]

3.5 grains of Bullseye under the old Lee 150 grain cast SWC

 

[Palladan44]

I have several loads that will shoot very well, but the one that stands out the most is with a 158gr cast LSWC over 3.8gr WW-231
1.475" OAL.

 

[Catpop]

2.7 BE under 148 gr L flat base wadcutter seated flush

 

[gwpercle]

Lyman's discontinued mould #358432
or
NOE's recreation - NOE 360-160-WC PB

This is an Ogival Wadcutter design ... if you have never tried it you will be amazed at the accuracy .
Try from 2.5 grs. (start ) to 4.0 grs. (max.) of Bullseye . Cast soft 9.0 bhn and sized .357"- .358" .
My pet load is 2.7 grs Bullseye . 15 shots will go into 1 3/8 " dia. one ragged hole ...
the bullets try to touch each other ... 25 yards .
An old Ideal 1-cavity mould opened my eye's to the accuracy potential and when NOE advertised they make this mould... I ordered a 4 cavity so fast it made my head spin !
This is about the only 38 bullet I cast anymore ... Flat nose hits hard , 160 gr. weight is ideal ...
Trust me it's a winner ... sorry no photo's ...I'm old and no camera see them at
www.noebulletmoulds.com
Gary

 

[Riomouse911]

2.8 gr BE, Extreme 148 plated DEWC or Missouri Bullet Co. 148 gr lead DEWC, Federal primer, mixed cases, I use the crimp groove (if it has one) to leave about 1/10” of bullet beyond the case mouth. This combo works very well in all of my .38’s, from Model 14 and Colt Heavy Barrel target guns to 1 7/8” Airweight snubbies.

All of these are 20 yds offhand.


Stay safe.

 

[Ru4real]

180 grain MBC 358 diameter Pugnose Hi-Tek coated bullet
4.0 grains Hogdon Tightgroup
38 Special Starline cases
CCI-550 primer SPP-M
Loaded round length 1.50”. Ignore the bullet crimp groove.
Lee Factory Crimp die

If wanted, I will post velocity for 4”, 6”, 8” and 16” barrels. I can also post some pics of bullet and loaded round. With the Lee FCD, sorting loads by case manufacturer is important to shoot small. Can post 50 yard targets as well.

This is a 38 Special +P load.