38 special Hercules with filler ?

[danyboy]

I am using 3.3gr of Hercules with a cast SWC 158gr (Lee 358156). Should I use a filler for this little powder in a 38 special case ?
danyboy

[elk hunter]

I am using 3.3gr of Hercules with a cast SWC 158gr (Lee 358156). Should I use a filler for this little powder in a 38 special case ?
danyboy

I don't know which Hercules powder your using, but I can't imagine that you will need a filler of any kind in a 38 Special case. Fast pistol powders are made to use in small quantities in pistol cases.

[danyboy]

I meant Bullseye by Alliant and bought it about 6 months ago.
danyboy

[R.C. Hatter]

:violin:Hercules (now Alliant) made several pistol powders. You don't state WHICH powder you are using. If you are using any type of fast pistol powder, any filler would, in my judgment, be risky to the point of dangerous. I have been handloading over 50 years and have never seen a filler recommended for any .38 Special load. My advice is "don't do it."

[danyboy]

I meant Alliant Bullseye. Thanks fot the tip. Won't use filler anymore and will try .4gr less to see. Have a hard time adjusting my load with fixed sights. Bullet hits the target too much to the left.
Danyboy

[Calamity Jake]

I meant Alliant Bullseye. Thanks fot the tip. Won't use filler anymore and will try .4gr less to see. Have a hard time adjusting my load with fixed sights. Bullet hits the target too much to the left.
Danyboy

It's going to take some gunsmith sight adjustment and or shooter adjustment to get that gun to shoot POA, usualy changing amount of powder charge won't move boolit impact left or right much if any, changing elevation is easy.
Before going the GS route try changing your grip on the gun and using a little less finger on the trigger(if right handed).

[danyboy]

How can too much pressure on the trigger make you shoot to much to the left when right handed ?
danyboy

[MtGun44]

No.

Bill

[Calamity Jake]

How can too much pressure on the trigger make you shoot to much to the left when right handed ?
danyboy

I didn't say anything about pressure!! I said too much finger on the trigger!! It can cause you to push the gun to the left(for right handed shooter) when you squeeze the trigger.

[dubber123]

I didn't say anything about pressure!! I said too much finger on the trigger!! It can cause you to push the gun to the left(for right handed shooter) when you squeeze the trigger.

100% correct. Also, rushing the shot, (even when you don't think you are), will throw shots left from a right hander. Just use the first pad of your trigger finger, and concentrate on a straight back pull.

[KCSO]

I use to have a shot wheel posted at the range i'll see if I can get a smaller copy.

[2shot]

For the right handed shooter and assuming no bent barrel or sights.

If the bullet hits left this is from too little trigger finger ( your pushing the whole gun to the left when you squeeze the trigger), if it hits right it's from too much trigger finger (your trigger finger is pulling the gun to the right as you squeeze the trigger). You want to pull straight back and sometimes it takes some experimenting to find out how far you should be putting your trigger finger into the trigger guard.

For me with my NRA Bullseye shooting I have to put my trigger finger IN the trigger up to my first joint. If I just use the pad of my finger I will hit left every time (pushing). Try adjusting how far you put your trigger finger In the trigger, everybody is different.

2shot

The shot wheel KCSO talks about can be seen at www.m1911.org/technic30.htm

[danyboy]

OK, went to the range today. Here is the result when using 3.0gr Bullseye with 158gr 358156 cast with no gaz check or filler and applying what you guys told me about too much pressure on the trigger. I am a happy camper; no gold medal but happy. Inner cercle is 5½" inches shot at 15 yards.
http://s454.photobucket.com/albums/qq261/dan_leonard87/?action=view&current=IMG_0982.jpg
danyboy

[jdgabbard]

Looks like a decent load to me!

I personally have never shot a 358156 at 38spl velocity. So, I cannot testify to whether or not it likes slow velocities. But you might try a little more powder behind it. Below is my go to load for the Lee 358-158 SWC-TL. Its 4.2g Unique over ANY small pistol primer in mixed brass. I haven't found any Wheel Gun that doesn't like it. This one was shot with my Model 65 S&W 4"

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=223&pictureid=1504

[danyboy]

Nice. I"ll give it a try. How far was the target ?
Danyboy

[Shiloh]

I am using 3.3gr of Hercules with a cast SWC 158gr (Lee 358156). Should I use a filler for this little powder in a 38 special case ?
danyboy

No!!

Folks have been shooting with this powder and small charges without a filler since it's inception in 1913. An economical accurate load.

Shiloh

[Echo]

Front-to-back trigger pull, AND - grip should be front-to-back, also. The finger tips should be loose, not squeezing.

(I love this internet coaching! Look what the forum has done, and is doing! I love this place!)

[lwknight]

Don't need no filler. 3.3 grains makes a sweet load. I even went as far as 2.0 grains with 100 grain wadcutters. It was like shooting a cap gun. Very accurate and no ear plugs required outdoors. 500 fps or so was the velocity.