Lee doesn't list a load for his 358-105SWC in his manual. I got it for my 380 but would like to try it in my 38 to save some lead over using the 158gr and 148gr. Does anyone have a good target load in 38Spl for this boolit?
Will
Lee doesn't list a load for his 358-105SWC in his manual. I got it for my 380 but would like to try it in my 38 to save some lead over using the 158gr and 148gr. Does anyone have a good target load in 38Spl for this boolit?
Will
Yes, I use it with 5.0 grains of Bullseye in my .38 Special--that gets me a 1,120 FPS muzzle velocity..it is excellent for plinking steel cans and is quite accurate. I had a tool maker make me a custom seating screw as well as a a lube top punch that also works with Lee's excellent .38 Calber 140 SWC bullet.
Will,
I use 3.2gr W231 in a .38 Special. Very low recoil and the boolit shoots great...
John
I was going to ask the same question since I just picked up this mold.
5.0gr of Bullseye sounds like a nice load, but might be a bit snappy for the wife.
What would be an appropriate charge of Bullseye for real light plinking?
I've been using that bullet over 4.7 gr Bullseye for 17 years in my M15 S&W with 5" barrel. Velocity is 1021 fps and my revolver will put 12 of the into 1.2" at 25 yards which is about as good as my old eyse can do with iron sights. Great light weight load for plinking and small game hunting.
Larry Gibson
Will,
Back in the early 1900's, the original .38 Special Mid Range loading was a 116 gr. bullet over 2.3 grs. of Bullseye. That load does 704 f.p.s. in my pistol's 6" barrel and 860 f.p.s. in my rifle. It is a very accurate load as well.
w30wcf
aka w44wcf
aka Jack Christian SASS 11993 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
aka John Kort
NRA Life Member
.22 W.C.F., .30 W.C.F., .44 W.C.F. Cartridge Historian
Thanks to all for the data.
Will
I use 3 grains of PB for 'popcorn' loads for kids/wives/girlfriends that have been handed a .45/.357/.40 by a well-meaning Dad/Hubby/boyfriend. Teaches them to flinch, or whatever, and forget pistol shooting. I usually have a batch with me at the range and will give some (along with my Combat Masterpiece, if necessary) just so they can shoot something mild enough so they don't get afeared. Have to jack up the rear sight 3 turns to put it in the black...
Echo
USAF Ret
DPS, 2600
NRA Benefactor
O&U
One of the most endearing sights in the world is the vision of a naked good-looking woman leaving the bedroom to make breakfast. Bolivar Shagnasty (I believe that Lazarus Long also said it, but I can't find any record of it.)
I've been reloading for 50 years and never used bullseye. Everybody else seems to like it. I guess I'll have to buy a can.
Will - if you have 231 or WST, use them. 3 gr should do fine.
God Bless America
US Army, NRA Patron, TSRA Life
SASS, Ruger & Marlin accumulator
Ain't got no 231, bullseye,WST, PB. DO have Unique,red and Bluedot. If 3gr 231 is good I'll try 3.5 unique. I'll let you know if it works.
Thanks
Will
That boolit over 4.0 grains of Hodgdon Clays is my standard plinking 38 special. I find Clays leaves the gun much cleaner than HP38 (Win 231) and Red Dot. For a while, my standard load was 3.5 grains of Clays, but the rounds tended to be powder position sensitive. The 4.0 grain load is much less so.
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |