Getting started with reloading for my S&W Model 10-5?

[JimB..]

They look great!

[VariableRecall]

Has anyone else loaded 158gn SWC's? If you have, what are your preferred loads for this configuration?
According to the manual I'm using, the range of safety is 3.6gn to 4.0gns.

Would 3.8 be a reasonable middle ground for the next one?

[Petrol & Powder]

Has anyone else loaded 158gn SWC's? If you have, what are your preferred loads for this configuration?
According to the manual I'm using, the range of safety is 3.6gn to 4.0gns.

Would 3.8 be a reasonable middle ground for the next one?

Now you've done it

The 158gr LSWC is just about THE load for 38 Special. You're going to get a phone book worth of responses.

The 38 Special absolutely thrives on bullets in the 150-160 grain weigh range and some fast burning powder.
Bullseye, ww231, AA#2, Unique, etc. are all favorites.

My standard load is a roughly 158 gr LSWC with 3.5 grains of Bullseye.
I've burned truckloads of WW231 behind the same bullet with somewhere between 4.1 and 4.5 grains.

I think you can safety step up your load to the neighborhood of 4.0 grains of ww231 [HP-38] using a 158gr LSWC bullet.

[Mr_Sheesh]

You can find spare dippers on the usual suspects (epay, amazon) but they aren't free. Might be worth it for you, or might not. Fired 22LR or 22Mag brass would make dippers, so would other tired brass etc.

[Mr_Sheesh]

Also, VariableRecall;

The older black dipper set made by Lee Custom Engineering has dippers calibrated in cubic inches; the two smaller ones are,

0.020 in^3 = 0.3277 cc
0.039 in^3 = 0.6301 cc

So neither is quite what you want, but good to be aware of them.

[VariableRecall]

Also, VariableRecall;

The older black dipper set made by Lee Custom Engineering has dippers calibrated in cubic inches; the two smaller ones are,

0.020 in^3 = 0.3277 cc
0.039 in^3 = 0.6301 cc

So neither is quite what you want, but good to be aware of them.

Also, I have a brass trimmer handy, so that would make trimming down a bad peice of brass pretty straightforward.

[sniper]

Get 38/357 carbide dies.

Three44s

Carbide dies are a GOODNESS! I don't remember how many decades I've been using mine! Lee makes good stuff, but I am a dyed in the wool RCBS fanboy. I started reloading by borrowing my Brother in Law's Lee Classic loader...the one you had to hammer on...till he made me give it back! That and his ooooold Lyman manual. Get yourself a good manual, and read it "kiver to kiver"! Be careful, and take your time, double-checking everything!

[sniper]

welcome to the addiction.

The only thing i could add would be to swing by the big box store, and get a couple of sturdy, and decent size 'c' clamps.

I found the big ones work well to hold the press on your dining room table.

yesss!

[VariableRecall]

yesss!

Interesting to see the thread get revived. I'll have you know that I'm well off the ground when it comes to reloading. I've now got a Lee 4-die Turret Press, a Lee 4-20 casting pot, and a couple thousand rounds of experience! My current favorite load for my 10-5 is 148gn wadcutters at about 3.8-4gn Win 231/HP-38.

I've got my own little table as well, made out of a Harbor Freight table saw mount and some scrap plywood. I've wouldn't have made it without all of your help! Thank you!

[gwpercle]

If you want to make your own dippers for HP-38/231 powder :

22 short case = 2.5 grs.
3 cc Lee yellow plastic scoop = 3.3 grs.
22 Long Rifle case = 3.7 grs
22 CCI Mini-Mag case = 4.0 grs. (to get a 3.8 dipper , trim the Mini-mag case just a wee bit )
25 acp case = 4.0 grs.

I make handles with #12 copper wire , solder wire to brass case and form a loop for handle .
I have a note book that cotains what each dipper will dip (grs. powder) with every powder I use .

For instance the 22 short dipper will dip :
1.8 grs. of 700X.
2.5 grs. Bullseye
2.8 grs. Tightgroup
3.4 grs. Acc #2
2.0 grs. Unique
Interesting how the volume of the 22 short case doesn't change but the weight of the different powders vary so greatly !

I didn't read all the back pages but did read about dippers and I find dipper charging cheap , easy and safe .

Gary