favorite 38 S&W loads

Have only experimented with 158 SWC but I find 1.7 or 1.8gr of RedDot to be a decent load. It's the only powder I've tried and I think it's really too fast burning for these. I actually just use a Lee powder scoop to measure. The Speer manual gives way too hot a load for this configuration IMO. Started at minimum Speer load and couldn't get the cases out of the cylinder of either of my pistols and they seemed about three times the power of some factory loads I had. I shoot both an old S&W pre-Victory M&P revolver and a 1930 Enfield revolver. Accuracy out of S&W is great until it gets dirty. The 158SWC are 357 and so a bit undersized for the Enfield. Still fun to shoot though.
 
Forget the powder charge, but I used a 148 gr. hollow based wadcutter in an old Colt Police Positive. Shot well.
 
In my Victory model, I found that also could not use some of the powder charges shown in the manuals. Since this is a fun gun only, I have settled on around 2 grain of bullseye with a 130 grain cast bullet (left over from a box for Cowboy Action shooting).
I have also used about 2.5 grain of 700-x, also with a 130 grain bullet.
when I tried to use 158 grain bullets, I had to seat them out, or had excessive pressures.
the 130 grain loads are nice and easy to shoot, and eject easily. they go around 650 fps.
 
I would like to know where to find brass and bullets?
If you cast what mould do you use?

I have been thinking of getting an Enfield revolver. The only things slowing me down is the ammo and the wife. Mostly the ammo though.
 
Speaking for myself, I got brass from Higginsons (fellow cgn'er in a group buy tagged some to his order) and just use cast bullets from Lee moulds. I've used 124 grain RN tumble lube, 148 grain SWC tumble lube and 158?grain wadcutter bullets. Undersize I know, but good enough for plinking/blasting away out of the enfield. Ugly hillbilly gun as the gf affectionately calls it.:eek:
 
Scored the brass at shows, most used, some new.
Lucked out on the bullets. A gent some years ago had a pail of 160gr SWC .38 bullets for sale. I was going to use them for making .38 special rounds. After mic'ing them to .361", it turns out they're perfect for the Enfield instead.

(E) :cool:
 
Al-Sway said:
In my Victory model, I found that also could not use some of the powder charges shown in the manuals. Since this is a fun gun only, I have settled on around 2 grain of bullseye with a 130 grain cast bullet (left over from a box for Cowboy Action shooting).
I have also used about 2.5 grain of 700-x, also with a 130 grain bullet.
when I tried to use 158 grain bullets, I had to seat them out, or had excessive pressures.
the 130 grain loads are nice and easy to shoot, and eject easily. they go around 650 fps.
Click to expand...

The Bullet Barn has a 130gr RNFP Bevelled Base I've been considering for my Victory model, any thoughts on that? I'd like to use W231, as I'm already using that for my 9mm, so any suggestions for a starting load would likewise be appreciated; I have yet to reload for this (or any) revolver, so I'm also new to cast lead bullets.
 
Thanks guys and sorry for the Hijack. I was going to start a thread on starline brass as I know they make it still.
 
BrotherRockeye said:
I use 38spl components...bullets cast at .358 and trimmed 38 S&W Special cases.Both are easy to come by and work just fine for me.
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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?
 
stevebc said:
The Bullet Barn has a 130gr RNFP Bevelled Base I've been considering for my Victory model, any thoughts on that? I'd like to use W231, as I'm already using that for my 9mm, so any suggestions for a starting load would likewise be appreciated; I have yet to reload for this (or any) revolver, so I'm also new to cast lead bullets.
Click to expand...

My thoughts are give that bullet a try! Hodgdon has a listing for a 145 grain bullet with W-231 of 2.6 grains. You'd be using a lighter bullet so I'd assume it to be safe. It is listed as a max load though, so perhaps walk it up from 2 grains or so.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
 
saskgunowner101 said:
My thoughts are give that bullet a try! Hodgdon has a listing for a 145 grain bullet with W-231 of 2.6 grains. You'd be using a lighter bullet so I'd assume it to be safe. It is listed as a max load though, so perhaps walk it up from 2 grains or so.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
Click to expand...

Thanks, sask101, I'd seen the Hodgdon's load for the 145gr, and my gut feeling was to start with 2.0gr. If I've done the math right, I'm thinking 2.3gr for the max, and I'm looking for a mild load.
 
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