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.38 Special plinking reloads - let's have 'em!

meunke
So I'm going to a friend's house this evening for a long lesson in the art of reloading. I also finally got my own press set up under his supervision: a Lee classic.

I have a tendancy to want to jump in, boots, hat and all into any hobby, but I've been trying to pace myself with reloading. I have pretty much everything I need, as well as a few extras he recommended.

My fried reloads 6.5 and 30-06 only, as he isn't much of a pistol guy. For me, I really want to focus on .38 and .357 starting out.

I've been reading a good bit on various loads and am interested in some .38 plinking loads. So everyone, what is your favorite .38 plinking reload for a .357 snubby?
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Comments

17 comments

Date Votes
  • ladams
    I have been reloading for the .357 for about 5 years now. I never really messed around using the .38 loads, because I can just reduce the .357 brass down to .38 levels and then not have to buy .38 brass. I usually use about 16 grains of H110 behind either a 158 jacketed, or a 158 Lead semi-wadcutter. I have been playing around with Lil-Gun too as of late, I know the pressure is a lot lower, and the recoil seems less stiff.
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  • tapwater
    ..I use 5.1 gr. of Unique behind a 158 gr. cast SWC in .357 cases for about 900 fps. I used to rely on Red Dot for all low velocity loads, but it burns pretty dirty. Had some very accurate loads with Red Dot, down to about 600 fps.
    ..Just go to the books, and start at the bottom loads. You'll find an accurate and pleasent load at some point. Have fun and be careful.
    ..If I can give just one piece of advice, it's this....If you're charging from a powder measure, look at every case under a good light to check for a double charge.
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  • haroldchrismeyer
    quote:this....If you're charging from a powder measure, look at every case under a good light to check for a double charge.

    Also do this to make sure there is powder, instead of no charge in it at all. The primer will push a bullet into the barrel, and the next shot will be bad for you and the gun.
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  • BHAVIN
    My family has been using this 39 special practice load for about 40 years. My uncle was a South Dakota state policemen and he and my dad loaded the target loads for the department in the late 60's. We use a lead 148g wad cutter or semi wad cutter bullets with 2.8g of Bullseye. For 158g we use 3.0g of Bullseye. Nice accurate lite loads. For 357 plinking I use 158 plated (I have not ast bullets for awhile) bullets and 7.0g of Unique. When I decide to switch powders it will be to Hodgdon Titegroup for these loads as it is cheap and a very good all around plinking powder. Be very careful if you use H110 it is for hotter loads and the amount should not be reduced BELOW minimum as it creates dangerously high pressures. TAPWATER has a very good suggestion as loading with lighter loads you can double charge a case as not have the powder spill over.
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  • Zinderbloc
    +1 to what BHAVIN said. 2.8 gr. of Bullseye with a swaged lead 148 gr. HBWC is my favorite .38 plinking load.
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  • Tflogger
    +2 on BHAVIN"S load. I've been using the same load for 29 years.
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  • SCorvers
    3.0 gr Bullseye and a 148 gr double base wadcutter.
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  • Mk 19
    Here are a few lite loads with IMR Trail Boss:
    http://www.imrpowder.com/data/handgun/trailboss-feb2005.php

    38 SPECIAL
    Case: Winchester Twist: 1:18.75"
    Barrel: 7.7" Trim: 1.145" Primer: Winchester SP

    Bullet: 125 GR. LRNFP Dia. .358" COL: 1.445"
    Trail Boss 3.0 753 11,600 CUP 5.3 952 13,400 CUP

    Bullet: 158 GR. LSWC Dia. .357" COL: 1.455"
    Trail Boss 2.7 661 11,400 PSI 4.2 804 13,700 CUP

    357 MAGNUM
    Case: Winchester Twist: 1:18.75"
    Barrel: 10" Trim: 1.285" Primer: Winchester SPM

    Bullet: 125 GR. LRNFP Dia. .358" COL: 1.580"
    Trail Boss 3.5 874 14,900 CUP 5.3 1035 17,900 CUP

    Bullet: 158 GR. LRNFP Dia. .358" COL: 1.610"
    Trail Boss 3.2 754 16,500 CUP 4.2 865 20,400 CUP
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  • reloader44mag
    38spl, 4.5gr Unique, CCI 500 SP primer, 158gr LSWC. I prefer Laser-Cast. Accurate for me out of a S&W 4" 686
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  • Colt Super
    24 grains of 2400 behind a 158 Gr LSWC.

    Anyway, that's what my Brother told me before his unfortunate death.

    Doug
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  • GUNFUNCO
    Don't listen to Doug Wilson-and double check any load you get from someone against a loading manual.

    He was obviously joking but everyone may not know that.
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  • Colt Super
    That is absolutely true.

    Do not use that load.

    It will lead to catastrophe !!

    Never use a load that is not in a current reloading manual !!

    That was a bad thing to post, and I apologize.

    Doug
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  • 41 nut
    My favorite target load for the 38Spl was told me by a top target shooter in the area. He used it to pratice in his basement as well as for match shooting. 1.5gr of Bulleseye Powder with a 1" tissue (as in Kleenex) wad on top of the powder to hold it in place under a 148gr swaged hollow base wadcutter bullet. A very mild accurate load. But if you do use it be sure to use the wad on top of the powder. I didn't at first and the powder went into the hollow base and stuck there. Bullets were clearing a 6" barrel by about 4 inches and falling to the ground.
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  • meunke
    Thanks for all your input guys. I probably will be sticking to specific data in the latest manual I have for a while, but will experiment once I am confident I know what I'm doing.

    Putting tissue paper in the cartridge? I've never heard of that... Really?
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  • bpost
    I tend to go the other way for plinking .38's shot out of a .357 magnum. By that I mean I load them to +P levels to keep the felt recoil in the same general area. They are still safe in a .38 revolver but have some bark too. that load I use is 5.5 of unique using a 158 cast bullet.
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  • LesWVa
    You can get a ton of good UP TO DATE reloading data from Hodgdon for free. I use the site often. The site below covers just about every rifle and pistol Cartridge caliber known to man.


    It not only covers Bullet Weight from the lightest to the heaviest but also Starting Loads and Maximum Loads for all of the different types along with the projected chamber Pressure and Vel. (ft/s). It allows you to also choose the brand and type of powder, Hodgdon, IMR and Winchester.

    Just poke here.. Hodgdon Reloading Data.


    NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM LOADS
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  • SCorvers
    www.handloads.com Buncha good info there.
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