38 s&w loads

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Kmck

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Not a very popular caliber but hopefully the few that reload it can share recipes
My first and only load
130gr RNFP bullet barn
Starline brass
Wsp primer
2.5g w231
 
Loaded a few a couple weeks ago with soft lead 130gr RNFP and 2gr of w231.
Kept the power down cuz it's for an 1880's S&W I'd never shot before. I'll probably experiment with Unique next time as it's supposed to have a more gradual pressure curve.
 
I'm using a s&w victory, pulled out some really old manuals, lyman 38 shows loads that are alot hotter than any modern books, not about to test my revolver but may experiment with the lower end of some of these old loads, even speer #13 has some hotter loads
 
Kmck said:
I'm using a s&w victory, pulled out some really old manuals, lyman 38 shows loads that are alot hotter than any modern books, not about to test my revolver but may experiment with the lower end of some of these old loads, even speer #13 has some hotter loads
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While I wouldn't go overboard (moar power!) kind of loads, I also wouldn't worry too much with a Victory revolver in good condition. Even the Enfield tanker revolvers are adequate. The name eludes me, maybe it was Iver Johnson? that were apparently a very weak revolver.
 
I know there are old break top smiths around the are from the late 19th century that are fragile, but most are pocket pistol so fall into prohib class
 
Although I've only done the one load, tomorrow going to make some up with unique with a campro 125gr, gonna start at 4gr and work up to 4.8, it's in the speer manual, but the 4.8 gr load gets into 38 special levels
 
1.075, it's a load in speer number 12 and 13, start charge is 4.5 max 4.8, like I said gonna start at 4, and work up my victory model is nice and tight, won't be a regular load but want to see how it goes, as a side note in old lyman manuals they have a load for 125gr cast at 4.9, which for 38s&w would be screaming
 
I'm using Lyman 150 gr 358477 and 2.2 grs 700 x.
lyman 358091 wc with 2.0 grs of 700x which is crimped in the first lube groove.
Wadcutter works really good in my Enfield and Webly.
Eventually I would like to try duplicating the British 200 gr load for 380/200.
Also tried 2.0 grs of Bullseye with these loads. I have a lot of 700 x so will probably stay with it.
 
"Pet Loads" Waters has a chapter on loading the 38 S&W for Enfield, Webley and S&W K frame revolvers.
 
I used to use Win 231 with 180G in and Enfield Num2 Mk1*. Not sure how hard I would push an 1880's gun without having a smith look it over.
 
In my Enfield No 2 Mk 1, I used 127 gr, 140 gr and 195 gr cast bullets. MVs were all well below subsonic and similar across bullet weights:

1.7 grs Trail Boss - 500 fps +/- 25 fps
1.7 grs Clays - 550 fps +/-

Bullseye and Titegroup would produce very similar results.
 
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I got a bunch of 130gr I plan on using, was in basement yesterday and would be able to use the .5 Lee dipper to get 2.3gr and still below where the bullet would be seated just don't know if it will be safe
 
I cast my own 158gr bullets for my 38 smith. I use an old worn 358swc Lee mold that drops them at .359 then I powder coat them to bring them up to .361 dia. I've used WST, 700x, red dot, hp-38 and unique all with good success. Usually 2.5gr never more than that. It's a low recoil revolver and it's kinda quiet to shoot. My revolver is a S&W hand ejector model that was made around WWII
 
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