125grn RNFP for 38spl cowboy load?

Busta Capp

Busta Capp

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Did I make a mistake? I picked up some cast bullets on the weekend for starting to reload for CAS. I thought the lighter 125 would have been preferable over the 158grn, but after I got home and read the manual they say you should not go below 140grn for lighter cowboy loads.

So, did I mess up or will the 125grns be ok as long as I do not load too light? The pistols are Ruger New Vaquero's 5.5 inch barrels if that matters.

Also, I was hoping to use the Bullseye powder I have if anyone has any thoughts on that. Thanks.
 
I think the loading should go o.k., however some CAS courses require steel targets to be knocked down and the .38 Special can be marginal on them, so a lighter bullet would be even more marginal, it depends on the targets and the scoring. Have you tried the bullets to see how they shoot/group?
 
ben hunchak said:
I think the loading should go o.k., however some CAS courses require steel targets to be knocked down and the .38 Special can be marginal on them, so a lighter bullet would be even more marginal, it depends on the targets and the scoring. Have you tried the bullets to see how they shoot/group?
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Not yet, will at least load up a small batch but will not download them. I guess will go with the 158's from here on in.
 
Sorry, but the .38 Special is not marginal on the steel knock downs, unless you are loading them at really slow velocities (probably under 500 fps). I use .38s with 130 grain RFN for CAS, and have never had a problem with knockdowns.
I load mine with about 3.4 grains of any of the faster powders (Titegroup, 700-x, Red Dot, etc) and they work well for CAS. They average just over 700 fps, depending on the pistol or the powder.
 
Al-Sway said:
Sorry, but the .38 Special is not marginal on the steel knock downs, unless you are loading them at really slow velocities (probably under 500 fps). I use .38s with 130 grain RFN for CAS, and have never had a problem with knockdowns.
I load mine with about 3.4 grains of any of the faster powders (Titegroup, 700-x, Red Dot, etc) and they work well for CAS. They average just over 700 fps, depending on the pistol or the powder.
Click to expand...

Are you able to use the same rounds in your rifle, or are these strictly pistol rounds? Whats is your OAL if you don't mind me asking?
 
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