Load recipes for 38 Special 148 and 158 grain projectiles

K

kriach

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
2   0   0
Location
Hamilton
Just starting to load 38 Special and looking for load recipes and suggestions from the group.
I will be loading Campro 148 grain FCP HBWC and 158 Grain FCP TC projectiles using Win 231 powder and Federal small pistol primers. Alternate/different load recipes are appreciated.
Primarily loading for PPC shooting so looking for loads with good accuracy.
Anyone have experience using the Campro 148 projectiles? I am not having much luck finding load information on these projectiles from any source other than the Campro web site.


regards
Ken
 
The Campro 148 HBWC has very thin plating. Use lead bullet data. I personnaly load them at 38 special levels with Hp-38 ( same as your W231). Accuracy is excellent. A lot of peaple load those with Alliant Bullseye.

The 158 has thicker plating and can be used with jacketed bullet loads, per the Campro website.
 
I go with 3.2grains HP38 with the 148 hbwc Campro. They seem a bit undersized so I seat them slightly proud and use the crimp to hold the bullet in place. Previously I had BDX lead hbwc and those I could seat flush to case mouth without worry they would fall in.
 
I seat my Campro HBWC quite long, makes reloads easier and improves accuracy from my .357 revolvers (I don't own any .38s, but it will work just fine). I use 3.2 grns of Bullseye for almost exactly 700fps from a 4.2" barrel. If I bother sorting brass I can get my velocity spread under 10fps, hard to beat that.
 
Thanks for the reply. I will be shooting them from a S&W 66-2 357 revolver with a 6" barrel. Can I ask how long are you loading them at?
 
CoreyMac said:
You bullet will have a cannelure, roll crimp right there. Oal is almost built in.

Corey
Click to expand...

The 148 HBWC does not have a cannelure to crimp. You can roll crimp into the side of the bullet, or over the rim. Since these are light loads, you do not need a heavy crimp.
 
Ken: I believe that the S&W 66-2 has recessed cylinders. So I would avoid loading those bullets flush, rather, I would load them out 2-3 mm with a light crimp. This would aid your speedloader to more easily seat cartridges in the cylinder.

You will have to see which WW231 charge works best, but 3.2 or 3.3 should work nicely.
 
B said:
I seat my Campro HBWC quite long, makes reloads easier and improves accuracy from my .357 revolvers (I don't own any .38s, but it will work just fine). I use 3.2 grns of Bullseye for almost exactly 700fps from a 4.2" barrel. If I bother sorting brass I can get my velocity spread under 10fps, hard to beat that.
Click to expand...

When loading for S&W 52, you must seat at the case mouth 2.8 gr. Bullseye will cycle without any hammering.
 
Thanks to all for the great information. I have been loading 9mm for the last year but this is my first experience with 38 Spl. What do you folks recommend for the 158 grain TC projectiles from Campro or is their published load data the best recommendation?

Ken
 
kriach said:
Thanks to all for the great information. I have been loading 9mm for the last year but this is my first experience with 38 Spl. What do you folks recommend for the 158 grain TC projectiles from Campro or is their published load data the best recommendation?

Ken
Click to expand...

The Campro data is just plagiarised from various sources. I would consider it a good representation of what you'd find through your own searches.
 
kriach said:
Thanks to all for the great information. I have been loading 9mm for the last year but this is my first experience with 38 Spl. What do you folks recommend for the 158 grain TC projectiles from Campro or is their published load data the best recommendation?

Ken
Click to expand...
My experience with using plated bullets in 38 Special. Start at the bottom end of jacketed bullet load. I used plated bullet/lead starting load and got a bullet stuck in the barrel. I started with Berry bullets but I have switched over to Campro 158 gr because they have thicker plating than Berry, they are a little cheaper and Campro is a Canadian company. A crono will help in your load development. I have found a charge of 4.1 gr of HP-38 (Win 231) gave me a average velocity of 700 FPS, mixed brass, Federal small pistol primer and a OAL of 1.456", light crimp in the cannelure. This in a 4.25" barrel. According to Campro data, the above load is below maximum.

Campro data with the 158 gr bullet and HP-38 or Win 231 powder, 3.8 gr to 4.3 gr. OAL=1.455"
 
Last edited:
kriach said:
Thanks to all for the great information. I have been loading 9mm for the last year but this is my first experience with 38 Spl. What do you folks recommend for the 158 grain TC projectiles from Campro or is their published load data the best recommendation?

Ken
Click to expand...

My own experience is that the 158 TC has fairly thick plating and can indeed be loaded to full house 357 mag levels., with excellent accuracy.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom