I can shoot this load at speeds I cant normally reach with .45. Would .44 Special be somewhat similar to .38, in terms of ease of reloading, case life, etc.? The 38 Special Ball round was designed a long time ago to comply with specifications laid down for ammo that was : 1) Compliant with the Hague Accords of 1907 in regard to "unnecessarily" injurious ammunition. I recently picked up a 396 Nightguard and am a convert to the 44 Special! [.38 Special] is a very versatile and useful round. Times across steel plate racks and many of my standard drills with the 200-grain SWCs rival my best easy-shooting 9mm results. I never really set my sights, in a manner of speaking, on the .38 cartridge like I did other rounds. And this is a guy who normally trusted nothing but a 45 acp. I checked out Alliant's website-no data for flat point with the powders I have, but data for Gold Dot HPs for Bullseye and Unique. Powders include IMR, Hodgdon, Alliant, Vihtavuori, Winchester, Accurate Even though the gun was chambered for .357 Magnum, I plinked and practiced with a lot of .38s over the years. Upload or insert images from URL. I almost spit out my drink when I read your comment. Thats not quite how that works. My hand ached for a week. These are light and easy to shoot. I don't completely understand the physics behind it. I have 100% confidence in my ability to shoot quickly, accurately, and comfortably with the 32, and I also have confidence that, if needed, my 32 H&R loads from Buffalo Bore and DoubleTap are quite capable of doing the job they are asked to do. I used to reload .38s and .357s with 158 grain LSWC bullets over 4.3 and 6.5 grains of Unique. Have not confirmed the difference with a chronograph. Three in particular proved as good as their longstanding reputations would indicate. I have tried several different grips before finding the one that worked for me. The more serious concern for some loaders is that the small charges of fast-burning powder take up little room in the case, making it possible to double charge a cartridge and exceed safe pressure. Really interested in getting the. I started with a Lee Loader for my shiny new Python .357, because all the ammo I could find (in 1968) was lead semiwadcutters, loaded so hot they sloughed off the lead in the bore, so after a box you couldnt see any rifling, it looked like a smoothebore, and lord was it hard to clean!! My personal loads for practice replicate my carry. A Tyler T grip would have helped here, but is incompatible w/ factory grips. Ok, will the bullet easily pass thru the cylinder throat, if so, you need the next larger size bullet dia. Love my 642 for concealed carry, but have an SP101 (also a snubby) in .38 special (only) for use on the range. I wish Id had a commercial version of this load in my ammo allocation when we were tasked with getting classes of students up to special operations standards with the issue custom 1911s. That's usually +P power level in .38 Special. JHP, 125 gr. 10,870. IIRC, the NRA Action Pistol power floor is a "factor" of 125, which requires a full 1,000 fps for 125-gr bullets. Traditionally, the max SAAMI pressures were: 38 S&W 14,500 https://www.bullseyeforum.net/t2221-distinguished-revolver-loads-that-don-t-suck?highlight=distinguished+++%2Bloads, Load question on Penn Bullets for Distinguished load. I just bought some 158 gr SWC bullets that are pure lead. Not as easy to find brass these days as it is not the most popular round anymore. For best accuracy in slow fire shooting, you may want to raise gun before every shot. 01-10-2014, 06:49 PM #4. dverna. Super cheap and easy to make and would likely be a very effective defense ammo against wildlife that might be a threat to me as the two balls will spread an inch or two from each other at close range. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Just depends on what kinds of loads you plan to shoot. Reducing consumables (and therefore cost) that much more is definitely appealing to me. I soon traded off a Colt Frontier Scout .22 LR for an S&W Model 15 and happily chased all manner of small game and landfill targets with my stash of wadcutters. I would add that the firearm mentioned, a Model 27 S&W revolver is a very durable gun, intended for the hotter loading of .357 Magnum. What I learned after 50 years of shooting and reloading 38spl cases some where around 100 thousands rounds. Ive been reloading and shooting for over 40 years and love revolvers but 90% of the time my carry gun is a Sig 365 with a 12 round mag and a spare. (Note: These are near maximum loads (in some cases ARE MAXIMUM), you should use 10%. (Inceptor) Diameter: 0.357" Powder: CFE Pistol (Hodgdon) Primer: WIN WSP Case: WIN Trim Length: 1.145" C.O.L. The floor does not apply for PPC, or the equivalent match for Action Pistol. Have you all found different seat depths to work better than what's in the manual? I load my own, 130 gr RNFP using Win 231 powder a little over the mid point in the published load data. Thank you for the article. Bullseye is one of the oldest smokeless pistol powders and still one of the most popular. If there is a search function for these forums (didn't see one) I'd be happy to use that too Go to the Alliant website and find the data for Unique and Bullseye. Jacketed bullets are legal for DR, as long as they are 158 grain round nose or semi-wadcutter. It will then fit in your 38 Special gun. Yes I do have a few of the older high quality classic revolvers not the current made Cast Iron garbage that is being vomited out today. Its just two lubed balls on top of each other with the top ball roll crimped just past the hemisphere. 358430 (195 grain) round nose bullet that was used in the old 200 grain police loads as there is always interest in these. That revolver is aluminum and cannot handle the pressure of 9MM. I believe this particular bullet is meant for the 9mm,but drops at 358. 5.) 10 for a full cylinder. Hornady 115-grain HAPs over 4.4 grains of Bullseye alongside 25-yard timed-fire target. My other son fired one shot and handed it back. As example, 5.8 6.0 grains UNIQUE with a 125 grain HP in a snub nose .357 revolver. +P? They are reliable accurate and deadly. WC, 158 gr. Not sure how that translates to Bullseye powder. Nothing, they dont need any. I do this for my .357s but this article is about .38 Special loads. The majority of my shooting with .38 has taken place with soft lead bullets. Very versatile cartridge. Wes, SASS Wire rules prohibit posting specific load data on the forum, but it can be passed along via private message or email. One cool load Im working on is two pellets of 000 Buck.. They are low because of swaged bullets. In my time spent with the .38, I have come to greatly appreciate it for what it is and does. In several of the guns, the old standby couldnt quite duplicate the level of precision they exhibit with current production wadcutters from Black Hills or Winchester, but in each case, the load shot close to or right on the sights and nearly held the X ring. Load with 38 S&W data. We look at three classics: one each in .45 ACP, .38 Special, and 9mm. Im not recommending that you carry the Bullseye load, but dont feel as if you are going to tactical purgatory for enjoying this load, either. I have a long way to go before I'm ready to compete, but enjoy plinking and hand loading. Lucky me. Since it hit the market 103 years ago, it has been a staple for most handloaders and the backbone of most accuracy loads in the popular calibers. Regulator, SBSS #2255, Pawnee Station, Ro I & II. I have a few 30-30 cases modified to shoot singles with a very light load. These are the bullets I bought: 158 gr from Roze dist. Powder coating. Nickle cases look pretty but dont seem to take the number of resizings that plain brass cases do. You have never indicated what barrel length or brand or frame size you may be using these in. For any loads over 900-1,000 FPS, I suggest using a jacketed bullet. In one or two strokes, the bullet is formed ready for dip lubing. Discussion: Bullseye is a faster burning powder and some people feel better suited for the .38 special. Coming in 30 grains lighter and 80 fps slower than hardball, as well as being lead rather than jacketed, the 200/4.6 SWC is amazingly soft. LRNFP - your load, with a plated bullet should be Very Similar, or slightly slower and safer. 38 Special, all bullet weights Bullet Powder Weight Powder Velocity OAL Primer Source 110gr JHP! I'd imagine I'm not the first person to use this load, but I have found it is a very sooty/smokey load. Does anyone have any data. Beginners to shooting can use a full size revolver or their carry gun with light to mild loads to become confident and familiar with marksmanship and trigger control. I went from 2.7to 4.0 gr and nothing to speak of. Enter 38 Special. Prefer to use the CT model 305 laser grips in lieu of S&W grips. Here's what the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook says for cast 125g flatpoint for 38 in the powders you mentioned. Shoot cast and coated bullets and you can go much higher in load and velocity. The load you use will be up to your gun. How Do I Choose Good Self-Defense Ammo For My Handgun? This load is in the general velocity bracket with most generic or bulk box 115-grain loads and zings over my chronograph at 1,125 to 1,140 fps from a Glock 17, depending on bullet style. (For those who would. Even at hot .44 mag velocities my Super Redhawk has shiny bore with zero leading. This. Maybe its just me, but having that tiny bit of extra length and weight in the cylinder that I was never going to use just kinda bothered me. As anyone learns quickly, first thing that needs to be done is to replace the small factory S&W grips (I use Hogue) so you can hold onto the gun. (See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.). When I teach other people the basics of reloading, I teach them on the .38 SPL. WST for .38 special 125 gr plated bullets, Re: WST for .38 special 125 gr plated bullets. I havent shot too many full house Casull loads, but I get a huge grin when shooting my reduced loads of 7.5grs of Trail Boss under a Cast Performance 360gr WLFN. Ive tried full metal jacket and the Hornady Action Pistol (HAP) match hollow point in this load, and both ranged from good to great in my nines. A 158 SWCHP at 850-875 fps from a snub. He loves this gun and keeps it in reach 24/7. If you are new to reloading. Bullseye is one of the oldest smokeless pistol powders and still one of the most popular. 41 Rem Mag 35,000 A significant difference in speeds is usually noted. CorBon Self Defense, 38 Special, 125 Grain, Jacketed Hollow Point, +P, 20 Round Box 38125 Ive done the majority of shooting in .38 Special in my Smith & Wesson 642. I was just trying to get a general consensus of what other guys were using. Damn. I am using this load in some .38 specials. I'm asking the above questions because I don't want to run too hot of a load, but wasn't sure if it was ok to drop down below 2.8 as far as 2.5. Your email address will not be published. Its the only gun that has appreciated in value (as long as you ignore inflation). 7.) If there is only ONE load, it is MAX. And for 99% of the actual real world needs of a citizen for self defense it will work just fine. Components add up to far less than even generic grade factory ammo. In my time with the cartridge, I have come to appreciate the mid to low end of the power spectrum and thus have made extensive use of Trail Boss powder and bullets such as Hornadys .358 158gr SWC. The jump straight to relatively hot GI hardball challenged many students, and failure to meet standards meant being dropped from the course. I fired 3 Remington 125 SJHP 357s from a 340 and thought i had nerve damage in my hand. It is easy to load in progressive presses and has commercially available options from virtually all modern manufacturers. Hornady Enough that the range Officer at my range recognized them because the muzzle blast made a distinctive cat whisker pattern at 8 and 10, and 2 and 4 o clock. 6.) Congratulations on spelling loath right. I buy 158 SWCHP all the time.my main bullet. SWC+GC, I did find a 145 grain Lead HP with a rounded ogive (like the last NyClad) on Gunbroker that opens really well if you get above 800 fps. All right are Reserved Reload Ammo, Reloading The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), hi=849 lo=728 ES=122 (powder up and down), hi=821 lo=684 ES=137 (powder up and down), hi=815 lo=637 ES=178 (powder in normal positions), hi=714 lo=549 ES=165 (powder up and down), hi=758 lo=693 ES=65 (powder up and down)(DO NOT USE LESS), Hi=886, Lo=861, ES=25 (This is a Carolina Cast bullet SWC-great cowboy load), hi=859 lo=743 ES=116 *(my personal medium load), hi=875 lo=685 ES=190.2(powder up and down), hi=710 lo=497 ES=213 (powder up and down), hi=791 lo=625 ES=166 (Powder up and down), hi=785 lo=670 ES=115 (powder up and down), hi=801, low=766 ES=35.32 in Contender 14 bbl. We look at three classics: one each in .45 ACP, .38 Special, and 9mm. I, like Spartacus, find the SAAMI recommendations an interesting spec for comparative purposes. If I do carry a revolver its my 642 with a laser grip in my right front pocket or my SW model 69 5 shot 44 mag. The only way to shoot both 9mm and .38 special is to have two separate cylinders timed to the revolver. Using higher pressure loads will wear brass out faster and it will become brittle with time. Ideal load in a 2 J Frame .38. I have tested both brass and nickel-plated cases using mild loadings and have not yet worn out a case. The pistol or revolver of good quality is vital. JHP (now discontinued) 5 rounds . I will start ouy at the minimum velocity then. Classic loads are economical. . L6: 1.550 inch = 39.37 mm Barrel Length : 2.0 inch = 50.8 mm Powder : Hodgdon HP38 Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge, incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge. Dont take this the wrong way; Im guessing the average age of .38 spl fans is about my age (70). I'm planning to use Alliant's Unique powder to reload with 125 grain flat point jacketed bullets from Berry's and Winchester small pistol primers. The load you use will be up to your gun. And, oh yeah. Required fields are marked *. Ive not had a handgun entirely reject either load, so the recipe seems to be a worthy third alongside the previous .38 and .45. True enough that it doesnt make power factor for Custom Defensive Pistol in IDPA or major in USPSA competition. The beauty of shooting a .38 is that you can easily practice at the ranges you'd fight at using basically any cheap bullet at minimal expense. Also internet references 2009, Copyright. What overal length of the cartridge? Clear editor. Accurate, powder-puff recoil, and serious power all in one. Ive loaded some wadcutters to the point of being flush with the case mouth and big lead bullets almost to the front of the cylinder. 110gr JHP! I love a nice, full-size .357 Magnum on the range because it is so easy to train new shooters on. A light target load, which tends to be very accurate, is about 3.1 grains, with a 158 grain bullet. Load shot well out of a variety of service handguns. Most notably the lighter weight bullets. Where many shooters quickly tire of even standard-pressure .38 in the little five-shooters, the wadcutter invites cylinder after cylinder of practice. You can always back off to the .32 S&W Long or .32 H&R Mag if you choose to.