38 S&W loads?

[Nora]

Does any one load 38 S&W with a 158 gr PB using either BE or Unique? The only published data that I've got is from the Lee 2nd Ed. AA#5 is the only flavor offered of what I have, but would like to have more options than just one. Being a very "soft load" to begin with I don't want to just throw some powder at it to find out what will "potentially" work. I'll be shooting in both my Liberty S&W and Enfield No.2 Mk 1*. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Nora

[jdgabbard]

I don't load 38 S&W, but I do use a small plinker load for my 38spl that is very similar. I trim down the brass to 9mm length, and load a 125g pb boolit over 2.7g of BE and a standard SPP... I use this for VERY lite target loads with moderate accuracy, and for use on critters around the county home.

If I were loading a 158g I think I would seat it out further than the crimping groove.

Hope this helps...

[9.3X62AL]

I have examples of both the revolvers you mention in 38 S&W. These are among the strongest variants ever made in this caliber, and were spec'd to handle 178-200 grain boolits at 700 FPS. In other words, 38 Special standard pressure neighborhood.

I load the 200 grain NEI #169A boolit with 3.0-3.3 grains of Unique. This duplicates the service-level loads carried by Britain during WWII. 150-160 grain boolits tend to hit a little low from these revolvers when loaded with these same powder charges. Both revos have .362"-.363" throats.

Both RCBS and Lyman have load listings for 38 S&W in their respective Manuals. If you could indicate which powders you plan to use, a number of us here could likely come up with data for you. I prefer Unique, 231, and Bullseye in this caliber, and in that order.

[lylejb]

From the Lyman 45th edition ( 1970 ):

158gr cast #358311, rem cases, rem 1 1/2 primers

Bullseye 1.8gr 607 fps, 2.5gr max 763 fps
red dot 1.8gr 543 fps, 2.6gr max 751 fps
unique 3.0gr 719 fps, 4.0gr max 892 fps

all fired from a S&W 4" barrel. Also says can use #358156 158gr w/ gas check

These are the only powders listed for this round. PM me if you would like a copy of the page.

[TGM]

In the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual they list loads for Bullseye; 2.0 grains for 574 fps, and 2.5 for 703fps

TGM

[jnovotny]

I also use a 2.3 gr Bullseye load with a 158 gr boolit. Works great in a H&R top break at close to 100 years old.