Looking for for a 38 special load.....

[Lizard333]

New to this. I have several manuals and I am having trouble finding reloading data for lead bullets..... I am using a lee 358140 mold and will be using either HP-38 or Winchester 231. Just looking for a nice starting point. Also, looking for an overal length for this round. I have shoot thousands of my own reloads with full metal jackets but shooting lead is a whole new world. I have the Lyman Casting manual that just came out, I think it's the fourth edition, but it doesn't list that specific mold. Is there another resource I should be using?? Thanks in advance. I don't want to screw this up. :smile:

[parrott1969]

Lizzard, I do not have any data for this round but I can offer this advice. Compare the bullet profile and weight to bullets is you load manual ( even if its jacketed). Use the starting data for that load and work up. I sometimes will reduce the starting load by a few tenths and work up from there.

[HATCH]

According to Hodgdon
a 158 Lead SWC starts 3.1 and ends 3.7 with either the HP-38 or Winchester 231
Both powders use the same charge.

diam - oal - starting load - velocity - pressure - max load - velocity - pressue


158 GR. CAST LSWC Winchester 231 .358" 1.475" 3.1 782 11,900 CUP 3.7 834 14,600 CUP
158 GR. CAST LSWC Hodgdon HP-38 .358" 1.475" 3.1 782 11,900 CUP 3.7 834 14,600 CUP

The boolit you are using is 140 gr SWC.
You can use 158 cast bullet data with no safety issues.

[Ben]

What HATCH says X two ! ! !

Use any reliable data for 158 gr. lead and know that your pressures will be slightly less since you're using a bullet that is 18 grs. less in weight.

[Lizard333]

Thanks!!! This is just what I am looking for. I'm sure after I get some experience with my new found hobby of casting. I am going to be purchasing the lee edition reloading manual as well. The more info the better!! Thanks again!!

[cajun shooter]

As has been posted HP-38 and 231 are one and the same and the loading info is interchangeable. You might want to look at the Lyman 358665 as it is a very good all around 38 load and may be used in rifles with out problem. Some rifles will not feed the true SWC but your bullet from Lee is really a TC style. The one thing that I don't like about the Lee bullets is they all have very small lube grooves. You might want to try Clays powder also if you have a chance. It like the two you have shoots accurate and clean with very little to no smoke. The 158 gr is a better all around weight for the 38 and 357. If you just plink or target shoot then that is a moot point.

[Rocky Raab]

Interesting factoid # 19C:

In the 38 Special, with any cast bullet up to 158 grains, you can use 3.5 grains of ANY powder from Bullseye to Unique in burn rate. With some, 3.5 grains will be near Maximum and with others near Start, but they'll all be safe to shoot. That's something like 25 different powders!

Check with a current manual to verify, but if you study closely, you'll discover that the above is true.