Lee 105gr + .38spl

[War Eagle]

Howdy, first post from a long time lurker.

My wife was recently given her grandfather's old service revolver. I do not know the model but it is an old S&W .38spl. I picked up a Lee 105gr SWC mold thinking I would keep the loads nice and light and avoid the strain on the old revolver.

All I need now is a powder charge. I love me some Red Dot and have plenty on hand from my .45acp and .44 mag. I also have some 2400. I can get other powders if I need to but would be tickled if something will work with what I have. I tried running a search but had a hard time coming up with anything useful--I probably just haven't gotten the hang of the search function on this site yet.

Can anyone give me a hand?

[skeet1]

If you have Red Dot on hand that would be the one I would choose. A nice lite load of this choice would be perfect, around 3 grains or slightly more would work well.

Ken

[dualsport]

I have the 2005 Hercules Reloaders Guide. Closest bullet weight given is a 110 gr. jhp using a charge of 4.0 Red Dot. They used a 5.6" test barrel, giving 1,000 fps, 15,800 psi, at a COL of 1.43". My Lyman 48th Edition gives a load for a 120 gr. cast bullet of 3.3 gr. Red Dot for 750 fps at 10,100 cup. If it was me I'd try 3.5 gr. Red Dot.- 4.6 is the max for the Lyman 120 gr. cb.

[Wally]

Yes sir..I like that bullet & Red Dot powder ---I shoot a Taurus 84..using 4.0 Grains for 1,000 FPS MV..accurate and fun to shoot. However I use a poly filler as it keeps the shot to shot variation (spread) much smaller. Be very careful not to double charge..I set charged cases in a loading block and inspect w/ a flashlight...

My 1988 Alliant Reloaders Guide shows this to be a Max (Non-P+) load with a 110 JHP bullet in the .38 Special

[War Eagle]

Thanks guys. This is exactly what I needed. I will start with 3.0-3.5gr of Red Dot and see what that gets me.

[Wally]

I have loaded the 105 SWC crimped in the crimp groove and crimped on the forward band. Both shot well. I taper crimped the later.

The 105 has a narrow front "nose" best to use a #402 top punch & seating stem to avoid deforming it. I have made an epoxy cast to form fit in a 429 top punch & seater stem...

[War Eagle]

I haven't gotten around to putting money down on a Lubesizer yet--still running the Recluse mix of 45/45/10.

[Ben]

Maybe you don't even need a lube sizer ?

http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/HowTo/CantAffordALuber.pdf

War Eagle 72'
Ben

[Wally]

My 105's cast out big at over .360" and must be sized--I size to .359". If I load unsized that are too fat to fit in the guns cylinder and the seater die .

[Ben]

I'm thinking, size with a Lee .358 " or .357 " ( depending on your own particular needs ) sizer die.

Then use the method in # 8 above to lube the bullets.

Ben

[Wally]

I'm thinking, size with a Lee .358 " or .357 " ( depending on your own particular needs ) sizer die.

Then use the method in # 8 above to lube the bullets.

Ben

I have found for this little bullet sizing at .358~.359" is better...