38 Special CAS load needed

lister

lister

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
28   0   0
I've ended up with a ton of 130gr. lead bullets for CAS and none of my manuals have a load listed for 130gr. I could weasel a load out of the 125 and 135 gr. specs., but I hate doing that, makes me itch. Some powders I have off the top of my head-
-700-X
-Blue Dot
-Trail Boss
-Herco
-800-X

I usually use a light to mid-range load for CAS, so please provide the X gr. to X grain for each load.
Thanks for the help!
 
My weasel says you're giving it a bad name; casting variations could account for most of these five grains and seating depth would be a bigger factor:).

Have you looked on www.hodgdon.com (Data Center, I found 1 load for 700X, TB is elsewhere I guess) or Alliant's website? Castpics.net has a collection of free manuals from producers.

I would stick with the fast ones (700X and TB) for low charges.
 
Yeah, I checked hodgdon but couldn't find lead loads, they're all jacketed bullet loads.
Before I do the "weasel load" I'd prefer to try and find a documented load. Just my preference.:redface:
 
I suspect that Trail Boss isn't listed because the shape of the donuts makes it hard to meter out smaller amounts. But if you were to use a dipper it would likely work. I'd probably start with a half case worth of it.

As suggested I'd be looking at the faster powders for small loads. They seem to be less affected by the lower pressures. Or, perhaps more accurately, they generate more pressure sooner to aid in ensuring a better and more consistent burn with light loads. With that in mind I'd strike the 800x off the list.

And for the same reason the Herco might not work out either. In any event the only listing I see for Herco in my book is for a heavier jacketed bullet. Plus it starts high and stays high with very little min to max variation. So likely not a good choice.

The Blue Dot is a even slower than some of the others so again it's likely not a good choice. For the "Dot" powders the Red Dot is the one I'm seeing listed in all the loading data. And with Blue Dot you're talking about shifting TWO burn rate changes down that range of powders. Not a good option.

So you're left with the 700x as the only powder you have which is listed in the loading data. The min max range for 700x for a 120gn cast lead from my book is 2.5 to 3.9gns. So I'd suggest you try some in the 2.5gn/690fps starting point to mid power 3.4'ish grain load. Since you're using a 130gn bullet instead of the 120gn listed data you can likely fudge that starting load down to 2.3gns. Or go with the option that 2.5 to 2.6 gns will give you a hair more than 690 fps for a nice mid power load by cowboy action standards.
 
The load at Hodgdon's is with cast bullets.

If you extend your search for 125 grainers you will have TB data. I cannot get workable copies with the new Data Center, and copy/paste is a mess, sorry.
 
Thanks for the info BCRider. I'm a little hesitant to use the 700-X at that low a load as my powder measure seems to start throwing inconsistently if I use 700-X under 4.0gr. but I may have to give it a go and be cautious.

I'll have another look at the Hodgdon site as well, didn't think it was cast data. Thanks!
 
LEE Auto-Disk? Welcome to the Club... It's too bad because otherwise 700X is a really nice and clean powder.
 
^^^
You got it. I see I'm not the only one with this problem. I have 2lbs of 700-X, but I have to use it in >4gr. loads.
 
lister said:
Thanks for the info BCRider. I'm a little hesitant to use the 700-X at that low a load as my powder measure seems to start throwing inconsistently if I use 700-X under 4.0gr. but I may have to give it a go and be cautious.

I'll have another look at the Hodgdon site as well, didn't think it was cast data. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Inconsistencies in very light loads can be caused just by changing to a smaller bullet as well.

When I started loading light .38 sp loads I used 3 gr.of SR 7625 under a 158 gr. bullet. Loaded 1000's of them with not a problem, then I changed to 130 gr slugs...the change in consistency was noticed immediately, recoil & report changed with almost every round fired. I thought my powder had become contaminated somehow, never dreaming a 20 gr drop in bullet weight would cause such a difference in such a light load. I tested the powder by loading a few 158's again...problem disappeared, so I loaded some more 130's, this time with a heavier charge of 3.2, again no problem at all

The slight difference in case volume used by the different sized bullets was an eye opener.

My advise would be to test a few loads within the published ranges you have. Your gun will tell you what one you should be using.
I have since run out of 7625 and have switched to Titegroup and use only 2.9 gr with no evidence of inconsistency whatsoever,
 
lister said:
^^^
You got it. I see I'm not the only one with this problem. I have 2lbs of 700-X, but I have to use it in >4gr. loads.
Click to expand...

Yep, ran into the same issue with the smaller charges. For loading with the discs what is needed for smaller charge volumes is discs that are thinner so the opening can be larger to let the powder drop in and fill correctly.

For whatever reason I found that the Lee micrometer bar that replaces the discs isn't as sensitive to this issue.
 
BCRider said:
Yep, ran into the same issue with the smaller charges. For loading with the discs what is needed for smaller charge volumes is discs that are thinner so the opening can be larger to let the powder drop in and fill correctly.

For whatever reason I found that the Lee micrometer bar that replaces the discs isn't as sensitive to this issue.
Click to expand...

I'm using the micrometer and I was getting maybe one or two 'almost' squibs per 50 rounds. I'd hate to see what the disks do if they're worse!

Finger284-I think load testing may be called for, I was just hoping to get a proven load so I could slack off.:redface:
 
If you are in the Lower Mainland and don't mind the drive, rustywood.ca in Mission has Vectan "A" powders and Ba10.

The Ba10 is similar to Bullseye and is made of little sticks which meter very well in all cavities; I just hated its peculiar smell.

Despite the shape and size of the "A" flakes (think shotgun diamond flat flakes), these powders meter better than traditional little cups, maybe because they are fluffier for the same weight and use larger holes. I had no problem with 3 grs in the Auto-Disk.

It would of course be even better if he sold the Ba9 and 9 1/2...
 
Last edited:
I am using 700x and Titegroup. Using 158g lead with 3.8g of powder. Range is 3.2g to 3.8g but I like going at around the max. I think velocity is around 900 ft/s. Max for SASS is 1000, min power factor of 60 so you can go with the lighter loads.
 
CAS loads are nothing more than target loads. Buckets of cast 130 grain loads on Hodgdon's site.
You couldn't find the one batch of 130's there? "MEI CAST LRNFP". Doesn't matter who made the bullet.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom