What powder do you use for 38sp ?
- Thread starter Casper
- Start date
If you are just starting out reloading, especially if you are using a single stage press, then use a powder like Trailboss. This is a special extra bulky powder, made for light loads.
There is far less chance of a mistake by throwing a double charge. Fast burning powders like bullseye take up so little space in a 38 case that it is hard to see if you have double charged the case.
After the first pound of powder, you will have gotten into a rythem and are aware of what to look for, then use the fast burning, low volume powders.
K
There is far less chance of a mistake by throwing a double charge. Fast burning powders like bullseye take up so little space in a 38 case that it is hard to see if you have double charged the case.
After the first pound of powder, you will have gotten into a rythem and are aware of what to look for, then use the fast burning, low volume powders.
K
SandRoad said:
There's some truth to that, and techniques to avoid it. The advice of starting with a bulky powder and switching means re-developing loads, so:
- if you load with a tray, use a small flashlight to scan the block before putting bullets in. A double should be immediately obvious.
- if you load with a progressive, use an RCBS Lockout Die.
38 load
Load for .38 is a personal choice. It depends what you are doing with it - if you are just starting out chances are you want the load for target shooting and to develop accuracy with your new gun. It also depends on the gun and the twist of the barrel. If it is a factory gun chances are it is 1 in 14 and SWC bullets work well. Bullseye is the old standard for .38 158g SWC. I use 3grains for accuracy out to 50 yards/meters and limited recoil, which in a new shooter will help develop proper technique (no flinch). You can also use 3.2 grains of 231 for the same accuracy and muzzle velocity (and recoil), but over time will use slightly more powder than Bullseye. If you move to full wadcutters and a custom 1 in 10 barrel you can go to 3 g of 231 or 2.8 of Bullseye or Super Target (don't use ST for SWC in a 1 in 14) for great accuracy and recoil.
Load for .38 is a personal choice. It depends what you are doing with it - if you are just starting out chances are you want the load for target shooting and to develop accuracy with your new gun. It also depends on the gun and the twist of the barrel. If it is a factory gun chances are it is 1 in 14 and SWC bullets work well. Bullseye is the old standard for .38 158g SWC. I use 3grains for accuracy out to 50 yards/meters and limited recoil, which in a new shooter will help develop proper technique (no flinch). You can also use 3.2 grains of 231 for the same accuracy and muzzle velocity (and recoil), but over time will use slightly more powder than Bullseye. If you move to full wadcutters and a custom 1 in 10 barrel you can go to 3 g of 231 or 2.8 of Bullseye or Super Target (don't use ST for SWC in a 1 in 14) for great accuracy and recoil.
