muzzleloader balls in .38 Spl

[Billwnr]

Bought some Hornaday .375 muzzle loader balls today and poked them thru a .358 sizing die. They fit nice in a belled .38 Special case. I'm thinking about 1.0 grain of powder of some sort.

Anyone play with this setup and how light of a load and what powder did you use? I'd already know the answer to this but it's not wise to fire said load in my neighborhood. I elected with "wise" and didn't test things.

[RyanJames170]

I’ve not done this but I’d almost think u will want some kinda grease on top of behind them and u will need to get a tight pack with the powder,

Never mind the tight pack part, miss read post and thought it said black powder.

[megasupermagnum]

I've never tried a 38 special, but have done similar in other calibers. I don't like messing with sizing. You can buy or cast 000 buckshot, which should be .360" diameter. All I do is give a single coat in alox and load. Just about anything should exit the barrel, which is the great thing about these. I would think anything from 1 to 3 grains of target powder would be the sweet spot in 38 special.

[WHITETAIL]

Yes, I have been there done that!
If you are going to try it then.
I used green dot, then a gas check,
then a dab of lube, then the ball.
If you make it in a 357 case,
you use 2 balls.
It was referred to a ( Pawn Shop Load) .

[Wayne Smith]

I've never tried a 38 special, but have done similar in other calibers. I don't like messing with sizing. You can buy or cast 000 buckshot, which should be .360" diameter. All I do is give a single coat in alox and load. Just about anything should exit the barrel, which is the great thing about these. I would think anything from 1 to 3 grains of target powder would be the sweet spot in 38 special.

I got a box of buckshot for my 32 S&W and found I needed to size them because they were not consistent.

[RU shooter]

Several of my speer manuals have round ball data

[mdi]

I've got a little experience reloading balls in revolver cartridges. I don't size the balls as there is so little contact with the barrel they fit pretty good and shoot with no leading. I rolled the balls in alox, allowed to dry then seated to just below center (full diameter just a bit below the case mouth) and used a light roll crimp. My .44 Ball loads used 3.0 gr Bullseye and I think I'd try 2.5-3.0 gr in a 38 load. Oops, almost forgot; I used a .432" ball cast of range scrap weighing 123 gr. over 3.0 gr, Bullseye. Very mild, no recoil and accurate out to 20 yards from my Ruger SBH...

[MT Gianni]

Roll them in LLA or Ben's Liquid and put them over 1 1/2 or 2 gr. Don't put two in a 357 case and challenge your friends to a speed shoot, like first one to put 12 hits in a target. That's just not fair.

[Outpost75]

A single ball will shoot low as to point of impact, but OK for close work within 30 feet or so.

TWO balls will group closer to the sights.

You can load three balls in a .357.

One grain of Bullseye and one ball makes a quiet plinker.

I load 2.7 grains with 2 balls, 3.5 grains with 3 balls in a .357.

[KCSO]

1.5 of trail boss and a round ball makes a good cat sneeze load.

[Billwnr]

Several of my speer manuals have round ball data

I don't think either of my two Speer manuals have that data. Could you take a picture and PM me with that? I will check my books again to see if I forgot what's there.

[Billwnr]

A single ball will shoot low as to point of impact, but OK for close work within 30 feet or so.

TWO balls will group closer to the sights.

You can load three balls in a .357.

One grain of Bullseye and one ball makes a quiet plinker.

I load 2.7 grains with 2 balls, 3.5 grains with 3 balls in a .357.

I like the idea of 1.0 grain of bullseye and a round ball.

[DKG]

See, now I want to start with .357 round ball loads. You guys are a bad influence


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[ddixie884]

I have cast .375 rb in ww and sized two at a time in a star sizer so there is lube in between and loaded in .38spl lots more bore contact..............

[Billwnr]

I have cast .375 rb in ww and sized two at a time in a star sizer so there is lube in between and loaded in .38spl lots more bore contact..............

that's an interesting thought.

[trapper9260]

I just read this whole post is interesting. I do round ball s in 30's and 32's of sized 00 buck shot with water down alox with lighter fluid . it works good for me. need to some time try the 32 spl.

[Kylongrifle32]

I did the same with 44's. Run a Speers .440 round ball thru a Lee .430 sizer then roll in Alox and let dry. Running the ball thru the sizer oblongs it adding about a 1/4" of bearing surface on the sides to seat it and slightly flattens the base creating a conical type bullet. Two grains of Unique and you can watch them fly thru the air in the right lighting. 3.5 grains was the most I ever used in this type loads.

[bedbugbilly]

You're creating a "gallery load". I have done it in both rifle and pistol. Sized down balls can be used if that is what you have. For 38s/357 I have a .358 RB Ideal mold. I cast from soft lead, lube in alox/paste wax - FL size my brass and thumb seat the ball flus with top of case. Ideal used to suggest a little grease smeared around the seated ball. A couple of grains to start your load development - Bulls Eye, Red Dot, Green Dot, Unique or your favorite. As stated, will usually shoot low so adjust your sight picture. A soft and fun plinking load - just don't shoot too hot or ball can jump rifling in both pistol or rifle. I have even loaded the .358 RB in 38 Colt Short and 38 Colt Long but start with reduced load due to smaller case volume. Used to shoot the .358 RB loads out of a 357 Handi Rifle with some success out to 25 yards - not tight groups but could kill cans with some success.