I need help with reloading for precision bull eye shooting

J

j_m_ru

Member
Rating - 97.8%
176   4   0
Location
Toronto
Hi,
I need help with reloading for precision bull eye shooting:
Caliber: .38 special
bullet: Excel Premium hard cast 158 GR SWC Lead code: L381585
powder: IMR SR-4756

Does anyone loaded precision load?
I am shooting SW 6" barrel revolver.

What is total length of the loaded cartridge suppose to be?

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
If you don't have a reloading manual I suggest thats a good place to start... you might want to check out the stickies in the reloading section for online load data.
 
For precision, Bullseye is the powder of choice over a WC usually of 148 grain. You do not start with the right powder and Excel bullet are far from the best for precision. This being said, your choice of powder is not even in the lasted Hornady manual and Sierra manual for that caliber. Lyman list it but their powder of choice for that bullet weight is W231.
Here it is : start 4.9 max. 5.5 grain Oal 1.445. for SR4576.

If you want precision, get the right component. Good luck :)
 
The old standby load used to be (as I remember) 3.3 grains of BullsEye.
I don't know why you would want a hard cast bullet.
 
Guy,
I want to use IMR SR-4756 powder! Manual says 4.9 grain, but I wounder if someone has an experience loading bullet: Excel Premium hard cast 158 GR SWC Lead code: L381585 with powder: IMR SR-4576. I have manuals, I just want to see if someone done it.
By the way, precision load 158 GR SWC with BullsEye is 2.8 Grain, not 3.3 grain! L381585 is led bullet.
 
Last edited:
j m ru

I assume you mean SR-4756 rather than SR-4576.

Revolvers have dimensional variables that are present neither in a pistol or a rifle. A bullet and load that wins medals with one gun might not be so hot in another. These dimensional variables include the chamber throat and it's uniformity with the other chambers in that cylinder, the cylinder gap, and the forcing cone. It would be in your best interest to measure the chamber throats of your gun and get bullets that match those dimensions from a custom bullet manufacturer rather than a bulk dealer. Accuracy is also dependent on how well each chamber is aligned with the bore, but if your gun is lacking in this respect, changing the load will be of little benefit. Your best bet is to work up a load that performs well in your gun from the components that are most likely to produce the performance and uniformity you seek.

By the way, if H4831 suggests a load, chances are it works.
 
As Janeau said, you might also want to check those Excel bullets. The quality control of the plated ones they used to make was, ummm, well lets say they would be just as accurate in a slingshot.....

SR-4756 is a slow powder. I used bit of it a long time ago but only for heavy loads and never worked up a target load with that powder. I would predict that for target velocities you are going to get a lot of unburnt powder because it won't be generating enough pressure for it to burn cleanly. Unburnt powder also means your velocity is going to vary a lot, and therefore accuracy will be poor.

As suggested above, for target shooting, use a fast powder like Bullseye or similar. (I also use Bullseye for 38 spl target loads)
 
Last edited:
Ive tried SR 4756 in my 38 special with light target loads (I usually use this powder in my 38 super with major IPSC loads).It didnt work well at all in the 38 special with lots of unburnt powder and erratic velocities.

Best to try a faster powder,I currently use Tightgroup which works well.Although a 158 gr SWC will be OK for bullseye,the standard is the 148 WC(usually soft swaged)

SR 7625,a faster powder,may be what you are looking for for target 38 special loads?
 
I was recommended powders:
1. Winchester super target,
2. Bullseye
3. Winchester 321.
Each one is 2.8 grain for Excel Premium hard cast 158 GR SWC Lead code: L381585 bullets.

What will be the best choice?
 
Last edited:
3.4 grains of W231 puts all 6 in a business card at 10 yards. In my gun!

158 GR. CAST LSWC Winchester 231 .358" oal 1.475" 3.1gr 782fps 11,900 CUP 3.7gr 834fps 14,600 CUP
 
Last edited:
tack driver loads 148 grain HBWC WST 2.5 WSP PRIMER. ( LIKE THE OLD WINCHESTER 452AA )
or 2.7 GR BULLSEYE. WINCHESTER 231 ALSO EXCELLENT.

MOST BOOKS SHOW 3.5 GRAINS BULLSEYE AS MAX IN 38 SPECIAL 158 GRAIN SEMI WADCUTTER CAST.

158 GRAIN SEMI LEAD WADCUTTER CAST 3.1 BULLSEYE TACK DRIVER. or 3.6 WIN 231

36 years loading over 250,000 rounds. try hollow base swaged wadcutters.
 
What is recommnded oal for Premium Excell hard case match grade bullets 158GR SWC led, code L381585?
see the image:
158grswc.jpg
 
Oal can vary with every style and manufacture of bullet. Seat bullet so case mouth is halfway in crimp groove of SWC(cases should be of same brand and length), then remove flare and apply light to medium crimp(some prefer taper crimp as separate step instead of roll crimp)
 
Taper crimp is required on semi-auto, but it can be used in revolvers. Some people believe, and it makes sense, that a taper crimp damages a bullet less when the bullet is pushed out of the case by gas pressure. Many PPC shooters use a roll crimp because they feed a little easier out of speed loaders into the cylinder. If your sport is ISU precision and rapid(duel), all at 25yds or metres, then speed loading is not required and you could experiment to see which is best. Heavy and loud loads are discouraged, and not required. A SWC leaves a lot of airspace inside case, and too light loads will show wide velocity variance with a chronograph. Full wadcutters(seated flush) don't have that problem.
 
I shoot a charlton custom (on a model 60), a 686, and a model 52-2.
I'm using WW231 @ 3.1gr, federal primers, precision delta 148gr HBWC, seated just a hair under flush, roll crimped. Of all the crap i've tried and been told by the older guys in the group this works well in all three guns each with no problems at 50m. I've had decent luck with 158gr SWC but haven't ran them through the ransom rest so i don't use them yet. Check barrel dia. that help me alot in getting the right size bullet so you don't get any gases bypassing.

Good Luck
 
Bullseye powdere - 2.7 grains for 148 grain wadcutters
2.9 grains for 158 grain semi wadcutters
Both loads are very accurate from 7 to 50 yards.
 
sevoman said:
Ive tried SR 4756 in my 38 special with light target loads (I usually use this powder in my 38 super with major IPSC loads).It didnt work well at all in the 38 special with lots of unburnt powder and erratic velocities.

Best to try a faster powder,I currently use Tightgroup which works well.Although a 158 gr SWC will be OK for bullseye,the standard is the 148 WC(usually soft swaged)

SR 7625,a faster powder,may be what you are looking for for target 38 special loads?
Click to expand...

I use SR 4756 for 38 super major as well; I use it for a "standard" powder in 38 special, but I would use something else for bullseye competition.

If you are going to use hollow base wadcutters as opposed to SWC you will want to cut your loads back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom