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Thread: 38 special

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
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    35

    38 special

    Hi
    I have not Loaded or shot in a long time i loaded up some 38 sp with win 231 at 3.9gr
    with 158 GrRn went to the rang had good time the round did good so she tell me
    we have to do this more well next i think we will do 40s well it look like i will be molding some
    more bullets

  2. #2
    Boolit Master WRideout's Avatar
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    Oct 2009
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    Butler, PA
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    My standard 38 spl load is 3.5 gr Red Dot under a lyman 35891 WC, touched off by a win sp primer. I used to use 3.7 gr RD, but couldn't think of a reason why I shouldn't reduce the charge. I use my Mod 19 just for the purpose of killing paper these days. Curiously, when I got the Lee loading manual for Xmas a couple of years ago, it showed the "never exceed" load to be 3.0 gr. I never had a problem with my load.

    Wayne
    What doesn't kill you makes you stronger - or else it gives you a bad rash.
    Venison is free-range, organic, non-GMO and gluten-free

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
    Hick's Avatar
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    Winnemucca, NV
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    Using W213 I use 3.5 gr with a Wadcutter, 4.1 grains with 158 grain SWC, 4.6 grains with a 140 grain "Cowboy" SWC and 5.6 grains with a 125 FMJ/FN. The first three are all cast. My 38 Special is a +p model, but I don't think any of these loads are +p.
    Hick: Iron sights!

  4. #4
    Boolit Master waco's Avatar
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    Jan 2009
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    Springfield, Oregon
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    158gr boolits get 3.2gr of Titegroup. 148gr WC get 3.5gr of BE

    I just got an 8lb jug of Red Dot So I'll Be playing around with it as well.
    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
    Proverbs 1:7

  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Northern Michigan
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    There will always be a few .38/.357 guns in my safe. I have shot more .38's than all other centerfires combined. With cast bullets they cost less than current .22's.

    Don Verna

  6. #6
    Boolit Master




    Scharfschuetze's Avatar
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    Apr 2012
    Location
    Puget Sound
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    3,349
    In handguns, I probably shoot more 38 Special loads than any other. It's an easy calibre to load for and good results come fast. Lots of powders and boolits work well.
    Keep your powder dry,

    Scharf

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Texas
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    1,224
    I use the 3.5/RedDot(Promo)/158LSWC load a lot in .38 Special. It is mild but not anemic, and is very friendly to new shooters. I use 5.0/RedDot(Promo)/158LSWC in .357 Mag cases to get an honest 1000 f/s from a 4" barrel, which is plenty of "oomph" for any critter I'm likely to encounter.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check