favorite 38 S&W loads

[Rigmover]

I use 2 grs of Win 231 powder with 158gr Round Nose medium cast Bullet this load works great in my Old S&W Break Tops. The bullet only travelling at about 660fps to 700fps its a mild load.

 

[stevebc]

160gr SWC over 2.0grs W231, CCI primers.

I'd like to comment on the accuracy but the 37lb trigger pull of my Enfield makes it a moot point .

(E)

Finally got to the range today!

This is the load I chose to start with for my S&W Victory model. I took it to the range today, and I found it to be a mild load, but exceedingly dirty. Would a small increase (say, 2.2gr) yield a cleaner burn?

 

[saskgunowner101]

Very possible it might just give it the extra bit of pressure for a clean burn. The Lyman cast bullet handbook has loads with W-231 showing a minimum 1.5 grains up to 2.5 grains for max with a 158 grain bullet.

 

[glycerin]

I use 200 grain Lee cast sized .361(tight chambers won't allow this) in my two enfields and a webley(all mil), with light loads of bullseye or 231. Heavy mil hammer springs tend to pierce soft commercial primers(light loads). The heavy bullets shoots to POA with mil sights.

 

[majormarine]

i used the lee 38s&w sizer to resize my 38s&w nickel cases, and they all came out holding my plated bullets tightly ( .358" 125gr (HP) and 149gr (HWCHB) ).

i haven't snugged the bore of my model 10 in 38s&w, but it measured ~.350" in the bore at the muzzle end.

it looks like i can use the .358" bullets, but i can't find any data for plated .358" 125gr (HP) and 149gr (HWCHB)...

 

[Tex Critter]

I use 2 grs of Win 231 powder with 158gr Round Nose medium cast Bullet this load works great in my Old S&W Break Tops. The bullet only travelling at about 660fps to 700fps its a mild load.

Thats what I'm using in my H&R Defender 38. Works OK.

Trimmed .38 S&W Special cases are not a good idea. Yes they have been made to work, but the cases are different diameters, and a .38 Special case probably swells quite a bit.
Why do that when you can get the proper cases?

I started out doing that until I managed to get some .38S&W brass. Depending on the thickness of the brass some rounds wouldn't even chamber in my gun. I haven't had any split cases yet and once fire formed and reloaded on 38S&W dies no major hiccups.

 

[Banished]

Hope this helps - from the Speer Manual #10 for the 38 S&W with 125gr Jacketed Bullets.

UNIQUE 4.5 TO 4.8 GRAINS
RED DET 3.0 TO 3.3 GRAINS
231 2.7 TO 3.0 GRAINS
BULLSEYE 2.8 TO 3.0 GRAINS

 

[majormarine]

Thanks! but what are the OAL?

Hope this helps - from the Speer Manual #10 for the 38 S&W with 125gr Jacketed Bullets.

UNIQUE 4.5 TO 4.8 GRAINS
RED DET 3.0 TO 3.3 GRAINS
231 2.7 TO 3.0 GRAINS
BULLSEYE 2.8 TO 3.0 GRAINS

 

[Banished]

Thanks! but what are the OAL?

The old Speer Manuals I have (#8 & #10) don't give an OAL but recommend you not use jacketed bullets heavier that 125gr.

PLEASE NOTE; THE FOLLOWING ARE ONLY ASSUMPTIONS ON MY PART:
The above seems to indicate that if you use the crimp grove (cannelure) on thier 125gr flat nosed or flat nosed hollow point you will have the correct OAL.
If you used their heavier bullets and the crimp groove on those bullets there would not be enough powder room and pressures would be excessive. Crimping grooves on other manufacturers 125 gr jacketed bullets may or may not give you safe powder space & OAL. PROCEEED WITH CAUTION.