OK, 1 more 38 Special load

[Texas by God]

Bullseye. But I'm liking Red Dot lately but Bullseye IS the .38 sol powder IME.

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[JMax]

I use 3.3 gr of Clays in both 38 LC and 38SPL and 158 gr SWC and RN. Velocities are in the 830 ft/sec with excellent groups at 50 yards. This is my ICORE load with low smoke and no ash under the extractor.

[Char-Gar]

Thanks Char-Gar.
Does that 3.0 gr BE load shoot to the sights of a fixed sighted snubnose when using 160 gr bullets?

It does in my pistols, but snubs can be problematic. The load does shoot to the sights olf my longer barrel Colts and Smiths. As you know all can be sensitive to how they are held.

[Petrol & Powder]

Thanks Char-Gar

I have a 4" Model 64 that will not shoot a 160 grain SWC to the sights until you get the load at or near max velocity for standard pressure 38 Special. However it shoots beautifully once you get the load up to speed. The load for that gun seems to be a 160gr. SWC over 4.4 grains of WW231. That load is at the upper end of standard pressure and may be +P, depending on which manual you believe. I use that same load in a couple of Service-Six's and GP-100's; and it's not even close to stressing those strong guns. Plus it shoots great!
In other guns that load is a bit warm for long term use. My solution was to go to a solid wadcutter and drop the powder charge back but when I got under 4.0 grains of WW231 - those loads got squirrelly in some of the guns (although not in others). Again, most of the guns are more than strong enough to handle those loads but I don't wish to abuse the alloy framed revolvers in the stable.

So, It looks like I'm headed for a 158-160 grain SWC with somewhere between 3.0 and 3.5 grains of Bullseye. I have a couple of hundred nickel plated cases and I think I'll use those to differentiate the Bullseye loads from the WW231 loads.

I use Bullseye from time to time and always keep a pound or two on the shelf but WW231 has always been my choice for 38 Special. I may be a little too set in my ways.
Thanks to all that offered advice.

[Texas by God]

I'm having fun with 4.6 grs Bullseye and the 105 swc Lee. I hurt my shoulder so haven't been shooting but I shot 12 rds in 2" yesterday at twenty feet offhand. I have lots of 158swc over 3.5grs Red Dot to try today.

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[dverna]

I use 3.3 gr of Clays in both 38 LC and 38SPL and 158 gr SWC and RN. Velocities are in the 830 ft/sec with excellent groups at 50 yards. This is my ICORE load with low smoke and no ash under the extractor.

I have also used Clays very effectively.

[Petrol & Powder]

Update - loaded some 38 Spl with a LSWC (161 gr) and 3.5gr of Bullseye. Those shot great but still seemed a little snappy when fired in a 2" model 12. [didn't have a chronograph available]

Dropped the charge to 3.3 gr of Bullseye and those were right on the money. Think I've found my practice load for the alloy framed revolvers.

Thanks to all that gave input.

I still have a lot of WW231 but I'm giving Bullseye a more serious look.

[am44mag]

I have never found anything better in the .38 spl and .45ACP than Bullseye. It will cover the whole spectrum of cast bullets from powder puff to +P in both cartridges with excellent accuracy and uniform ballistics. I buy it in 4 and 8 lb. kegs.

I use it in everything from 32 ACP to 44 magnum. Best all around pistol powder there is in my opinion.

[Texas by God]

My 3.5 hrs Red Dot/ LSWCHP load turned in great groups out of my Blackhawk .357 today.
Now to try it in the S&W m15 next. The bullet is the swaged/graphite Hornady.

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[JBinMN]

Gotta luv that Red Dot...



I do..

[jetinteriorguy]

Any of these three would work. Clays, although I save mine for 9mm so I haven't tried It yet, 3.3 gr of Red Dot is great and 3.4 of BE for a little more oomph.

[Moonie]

I really like Clay's in my 38 Specials. Light shooting, accurate and clean.

[Texas by God]

No surprise the S&W M15 loved the Red Dot. I had 5 loosely connecting and I got excited and threw a flyer. My new big four for .38 special:
1. Bullseye
2. Red Dot
3.Unique
4. FFFG- gotta raise hell sometimes!

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[tazman]

Enjoy the revolver. The S&W 15 is a great gun and will serve you well.
The powders you mention will do anything that needs doing with a 38 special.

[308Jeff]

I try to keep the number of variations I load for each cartridge to a minimum. I like to keep my logistics simple but I've decided to load one more variant of 38 Special. (Agggh !! it never remains simple )

Here's my dilemma, my current loads shoot great but are a bit on the warm side. Nothing outside of acceptable limits but some are at or near max for standard pressure 38 Spl. and some may be in +P territory. Most of the guns are Ruger GP variants, Service-Six's or +P rated S&W's; so no problem there. However, I have some alloy framed snubnose revolvers that I don't want to stress while just practicing.

I'm seeking a practice load using a 158-160grain LSWC that is accurate and easier on the gun. I'm not looking for powder puff loads, just something that's not maximum but shoots well.

My attempts with ww231 [HP-38] powder at the lower charge weights have not been satisfactory. The accuracy drops off with reduced charge weights and I get unburned powder. I've burnt a LOT of 231 in my life and it works great at the higher end of the scale but not so much with minimum charge weights.

I'd prefer to stay away from Unique because of the way it meters.
Bullseye is an option.

Any thoughts?

Out of curiosity, which powder measure is giving you trouble with Unique?

[Petrol & Powder]

Out of curiosity, which powder measure is giving you trouble with Unique?

The measure on my Dillon 550B. My Redding bench mounted measure does a little better

The Dillon measure will easily hold within 1/10 of a grain with most ball powders but Unique is a tough powder for any measure.

[308Jeff]

Thank you, sir.

FWIW, I've had pretty good luck with the Hornady LNL and Lee Perfect powder measures holding pretty close to dead on with Unique. This is with charges in the 4-6 grain range. Haven't ventured outside of those weights yet.

[Petrol & Powder]

I'm not condemning Unique but it's a tough powder to trust when thrown through a powder measure. I will use Unique with a bench mounted measure when I'm well under max weights. When I get close to max charges of Unique I'll set the measure slightly under the desired weight and use a powder tickler to bring the charge up to the exact weight for each cartridge. It might be overkill but I've never had an accidentally over charged case.

I like Unique in some applications but I don't like it in a progressive press.

[EMC45]

I use my Lee Perfect Powder Measure for Unique. It does very well. I use the Pacific for Bullseye.

[kmrra]

Dont know if you have ever used Hogdons HP38 or not but I use it on just about all my pistol loads , can be used for 99 % of all handgun cartridges , its good stuff and easy to meter.