40 year old 38 sp. reloads

[John Hill]

I was reloading in the early 70's and am now doing it again but now in earnest. I came across several hundred rounds of some 40 year old 38 sp that I loaded and still had stored. There are two separate batches. One batch is 150 grain lead SWC loaded with 10.5 grains of 2400 powder. I pulled the bullets on 3 rounds and the lead was all the same but the loads ranged from 10.3 to 10.8 of the 2400 powder. I can't find any reloading charts that will confirm if these are "safe". If they are "safe", I'll plink them up if they just go "Pop", I'll reuse the brass and get it right this time.

The second batch have the same 38 sp 150 grain lead SWC but are loaded with 3.6 gr of Bullseye. Are these "safe"?

I currently use the Lyman book and these 150 grain lead bullets are not listed. If you have reference material that can help me know that when I was young and very foolish, I didn't overload these, I would appreciate the help.
Thanks
John

[William Yanda]

Lee's Modern Reloading shows 3.6 grains of Bullseye with a 158 grain lead bullet as starting load in the 38 Special +P section (page 572). 3.8 grains is max, and the caution at the top of the page states; "These hot loads may wear guns prematurely".
The only reference for Herc 2400 I found was with 200 grain lead bullets, start 6.6 grains, never exceed 7.1. Yeah, they are probably hot

[Outpost75]

The 10-grain #2400 load agrees with +P data in the older Speer No.10 manual on p.363, which was published in 1979. I would have no issues using it in a strong, modern revolver chambered in. 357, or a steel frame. 38 Special rated for +P ammunition.
The 3.6 grain charge of Bullseye is below the start load for standard pressure with 158-grain lead bullets shown on p.360 of the same Speer No.10.

As long as your components all date from that period, the ammo should be OK.

[osteodoc08]

Did you shoot that load then without issue? No reason to have issue now. I shoot lots of commie ammo that is 40-50 years old.

[John Hill]

Did you shoot that load then without issue? No reason to have issue now. I shoot lots of commie ammo that is 40-50 years old.

I assume that I shot some of it back then but it was so long ago that I just can't be certain.
John

[Dusty Bannister]

[QUOTE=Outpost75;2500905]The 10-grain #2400 load agrees with +P data in the older Speer No.10 manual on p.363, which was published in 1979.

CAUTION:
This is not a correct statement. While the reference shows 10.0 grains with the 158 grain jacketed bullet as a +P load, the OP stated the load varied between 10.3 and 10.8 grains with the 150 grain cast bullet. That is a different circumstance.

[John Hill]

I just found another 150 rounds of .357 loaded with 14 grains of 2400 behind a 150 grain lead SWC. The volume in the case is different from the .38 sp. Any idea on that? If it is safe, I can either give it to my friend that has a .357 or if not, just salvage the lead to re-melt and salvage the powder and trim the cases.
Thanks
John

[Cherokee]

14/2400 was/is a standard load for the 357 Mag, I've shot lots of them in various 357 Mag revolvers. For sure a top Mag load but should be safe in any quality magnum revolver - if you are sure they are 14.0 gr loads. I don't think I would have my friend find out if I loaded them corectly or not. BTW, I've used 10.0/2400 with 150 cast SWC in my Diamondback and it was accurate, but did leave unburned powder. I did not continue with it after the first batch because of that when there were more efficient powders available.

[bob208]

those are old skeeter Skelton loads made up for the .38-44 or .357 pistols.

I even used them back when I first started. because .38 brass was everywhere .357 was hard and expensive to come by.

[KYCaster]

Lyman Reloading Handbook, 44th edition says:

38 Special, 150 gr. #358430.......2.0 to 3.6 gr. Bullseye. 8.0 to 11.5 gr. 2400.
Accuracy load = 3.6 gr. BE. Factory duplication load = 11.5 gr. 2400.

357 Magnum, 150 gr. #358430........11.0 to 15.0 gr. 2400.

Jerry

[engineer401]

According to the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual from 1986, the range for Bullseye is 4.0 to 4.5 grains and for 2400 9.2 to 10.2 grains. The RCBS manual is for the 38-150-SWC bullet. I have an older Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook which does not have a copyright date or edition number on it. It recommends to use Bullseye at 2.7 to 3.7 grains for the 358430 bullet which is round nose and 150 grains, and the 358429 ranges from 2.6 to 3.7 grains. No information for 2400. I tried to scan the pages but cannot seem to at this time.

The 44th edition referenced by KY Caster is a little older than the two manuals I referenced as my Lyman manual advertises purchasing the 45th edition reloading manual for "only $4.95".

[williamwaco]

I was reloading in the early 70's and am now doing it again but now in earnest. I came across several hundred rounds of some 40 year old 38 sp that I loaded and still had stored. There are two separate batches. One batch is 150 grain lead SWC loaded with 10.5 grains of 2400 powder. I pulled the bullets on 3 rounds and the lead was all the same but the loads ranged from 10.3 to 10.8 of the 2400 powder. I can't find any reloading charts that will confirm if these are "safe". If they are "safe", I'll plink them up if they just go "Pop", I'll reuse the brass and get it right this time.

The second batch have the same 38 sp 150 grain lead SWC but are loaded with 3.6 gr of Bullseye. Are these "safe"?

I currently use the Lyman book and these 150 grain lead bullets are not listed. If you have reference material that can help me know that when I was young and very foolish, I didn't overload these, I would appreciate the help.
Thanks
John

I have around 300 38 specials I loaded in May of 1972.
They got lost in a Texas garage until 2010.
Temperatures during that time varied from -8 degrees to +117.

They were 3 gr bulls eye and they will shoot 1" groups at 25 yards from my Contender today.

[John Hill]

I really appreciate all of the feedback here. I guess that the more reference material that you have, the better to make choices. When one source is out there by itself, that would be an alert but when several overlap on data, then one could make a more informed decision. I am reminded of the saying that " A man with more than one clock never knows what time it really is since they are never exactly the same".

I found another resource at www.castpics.net that publishes its sources.
Thanks to all for helping.
John

[reloader28]

Powders have all changed a small bit in composision over 40 years. I've looked at loading books from back then and their load amounts are usually quite a bit higher.
I would'nt be a bit scared to shoot them from a good 38spl.