peppy .38

[45sixgun]

I searched around the net for some hotter .38 special loads for my Ruger BH .357. The fact is I have tons of .38 special brass and not a lot of .357. I don't really have extra cash to spend right now, or I'd get some more .357 brass. But that would still leave me with lots and lots of the special brass. Anyway, I came across 5.5 grains of Unique and decided to try it. I thought the load was real anemic. I intend to try upping to 6.0 grains for next time. Does anyone shoot a similar load?

[Tim357]

12.5 Alliant 2400 under a Lyman 357446 seated to crimp in the second lube groove is a classic .38 thunderboomer

[x101airborne]

I tried a load from Elmer Keith's book, I dont remember the exact charge of 2400, but it was HOT and I immediately discontinued it in fear for my weapon. I dont care for pushing the 38 cases, but I can see where it could be useful.

[facetious]

LYMAN 358 156 was made for loading .38s to the same length as .357s. If you crimp in the lower grove .

[Beerd]

45sixgun, what bullet are you loading?
..

[justing]

i have 50 rounds of 357 mag wanna trade for 38 spl?

[Stonecrusher]

5.5 grains of Unique and decided to try it. I thought the load was real anemic.

I use that powder charge, or 5.1 grns Universal, under Lyman 358477 in magnum brass and it chronos about 920 fps out of my 4" M66 Smith. Not sure if that is anemic or not. I use it for my standard range load. I would think it would be a little faster in the special brass.

[45sixgun]

12.5 Alliant 2400 under a Lyman 357446 seated to crimp in the second lube groove is a classic .38 thunderboomer

I think I'll try this.


45sixgun, what bullet are you loading?

Right now I have the Lee 158 gr. standard. Don't know the number off the top of my head.


i have 50 rounds of 357 mag wanna trade for 38 spl?

Be glad to. I have a bunch cleaned and deprimed, once fired. I don't tumble clean, but if you do, I'm sure a short time would have them shiny.


Not sure if that is anemic or not...I would think it would be a little faster in the special brass.

I don't have a chrono, but there weren't any signs of pressure and the recoil seemed real tame. Factory .357's show more pressure signs. My BH is so overbuilt, I'm not too worried about it. I'm sure the brass will tell me I'm getting into danger long before the gun is at any risk.

[blue45colt]

Check this out...
http://www.castpics.net/subsite2/ByCaliber/High%20Speed%20.38%20Special%20Loads.pdf

[Rex]

I load a lot of 358477 150 grain boolits over 6 grains of Unique to use in my 4" 686. I like the load. Haven't run them over the chronograph yet. 12 grains of 2400 with a 158 grain cast boolit gets me 1100 + fps in my revolver over my chrony. Either are good loads but the Unique load uses half as much powder. All this in a 38 special case.

[45sixgun]

Great input, blue45 and Rex. Thanks!

[MT Gianni]

Current manuals say anything over 5.0 gr Unique and a 158 gr bullet is + P in a 38. My old accuracy load from the Ly manual exceeds that. Data changes and does so for a reason, can you make sure that your loads are only fired in your 357? Are you sure that you will never own a 38 special? I would get some 357 brass if it were me and load the 38 to it's capacity.

[maglvr]

Go for the gold......... 358429 over 13.5gr of 2400.

[ironhead7544]

Do a search for 38-44 loads. That should keep you happy. The 358156 works great for this purpose and was designed exactly for it.

[woody1]

Get y'self some red fingernail polish and paint the head of those 38's to remind anyone that they're different. I've got some done exactly that-a-way and they sure stick out. Regards, Woody

[Coonazz]

Federal +P cases, Fed #100 primer, 358156 seated to 2nd crimp groove, 12.5gr 2400. My GP-100 and Python (both 4") love it!
Awesome tip Woody!

[colonelhogan44]

My favorite load for my Rossi Rifle is a Lee 158 RF over 13.5 grains of 2400 in a 38sp case. Peppy, and no leading. Great load, but I don't own a 38 special, so no worries in my household.

[Buck-N-Rut]

Fed SPP 4.2 grains of HP-38 is a pretty good load for me in my Ruger BH 357. 358156 boolit.