@ Grumpy- I tried LOTS of grips on S&W revolvers. IIRC, the NRA Action Pistol power floor is a "factor" of 125, which requires a full 1,000 fps for 125-gr bullets. I realized that I had hit a very special count for a very special cartridge: 20,000 rounds of .38 Special. Robert Frost. Jacketed bullets create a bit more wear on the rifling, but its better than trying to wire brush out a bunch of lead build up. I would add that the firearm mentioned, a Model 27 S&W revolver is a very durable gun, intended for the hotter loading of .357 Magnum. I, like Spartacus, find the SAAMI recommendations an interesting spec for comparative purposes. I don't know what bullets you have, but Berry's recommends per their website to use hard cast data for their plated bullets. It's given me good results in the 2, 3 and 4 inch barreled. Most notably the lighter weight bullets. Larry Gibson "Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing." Nikola Tesla 01-30-2020, 01:43 PM #9 Mr_Flintstone Boolit Buddy Join Date Jan 2020 Location Classic loads are economical. It was introduced in 1902 by Smith & Wesson, and has since become a worldwide cartridge. Starting being near 3gr - ish. I first started reloading 40+ years ago at a Lee Loader in .38 Special for a brand new Smith & Wesson Model 66 I had just purchased. Your experience is definitely motivation for me to give my J-frame more range time! Great gun. Only if you see more than one load, is it less than maximum. This represents a great start, and if thats all you do, youll still be far better off than the majority of the population. The pistol or revolver of good quality is vital. When using a 158 gr. are you loading .38 special brass, or .357 magnum brass? Based on this Id load some at 3.3 and 3.5 and see what you get, but Id never exceed 3.8 ever. With the powders you listed I would try Bullseye, 231, and Unique in that order. In half a dozen different sixguns, it ranged from accurate to spectacular. Note: More and more test are conducted with all rounds fired with powder UP against the primer for each shot, or DOWN on the bullet for each shot, then gently bring to horizontal to shoot. It also shows that the loads were established using a 6" barrel, so regardless of what any published data shows, the chances of ever finding published data for the exact projectile and barrel length you are using, as well as the exact conditions you will be shooting in, would be nearly impossible. That's usually +P power level in .38 Special. 38 special was also my first cartridge to reload, and one of my greatest loves for reloading to this day. Here's what the Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook says for cast 125g flatpoint for 38 in the powders you mentioned. 2.7 gr. Anyone know where I can download a chart where all the powders burning rates (regardless of manufacturer) is listed. I completely understand the respect for the performance of the 327 Fed, but not being a big fan of the 357 Mag (or 38 SPL plus P for that matter) I havent been drawn to the 327. Use the lead bullet loads with the plated and you will be fine. YOU WOULD BE WASTING YOUR TIME TRIMMING THE BRASS. Lucky me. All three of those powders have published load data for that weight bullet in .38 Special. Start conservative if you wish. This 1911 halved its normal so-so accuracy with 200-grain Hornady C/T SWC, shooting this nice two-inch group. After making a healthy pile of brass with this load, I am unlikely to ever be without a few boxes of it on standby. Notes: Bbl Length: 5.6; primer: Fed. IF YOU ARE USING SWAGED 158GR BULLETS 3.1 WILL WORK, IF USING HARD CAST 3.3 IS NEEDED. It doesnt appear like there is much of an advantage in using WST with lighter weight bullets. I carry 38 /357 every day have used them in real world shootings. Modern .38 spl std HP load is more than enough, dont over think it. You have entered an incorrect email address! Bullseye, Unique and 2400 are products of Alliant (formerly Hercules) Powders. Great to get the Mrs out there! Yes, I had no issues with the 38 SPL, but the 32 is just more FUN- especially when I get seven shots of it in a revolver the size of J frame! June 13, 2016 in 9mm/38 Caliber. .38 will take care of nearly any critter that needs dispatching feral cats, raccoon, armadillo, even wait for it. I am aware of the plated bullet limitations on BE accuracy and am more interested in them for their "plinkability". I just dont like practicing with it. (Patrick Sweeney photo) September 15, 2021 By Michelle Hamilton, Field Editor. I believe this particular bullet is meant for the 9mm,but drops at 358. Proof of concept with .38 first, then on to 9mm where we have to actually cycle a slide but I think Ive got that problem solved. There is almost no recoil and the student can increase power level when they feel ready using the same gun. Its like a pellet gun with a little noise and smoke if using black powder. You may find it will need to be faster for good 50 yd. I use 3 gr. .38 Special is a lot more comfortable in a service size revolver like my Model 10. Therefore, your platform yields a lot of safety cushion with target loads. 10,870. would also bridge the gap that the .38 versus .357 have in defensive loads. Like Wobbly. Also internet references 2009, Copyright. Totally agree. Caveat: I have decided that I want to be prepared for threat scenarios that include stopping a terrorist or spree-killer (the odds of which I fully recognize is statistically zero). I've been using the same powders forever. I use 2.8-3.0 grains of Bullseye or AA#2 with 158 gr. I load these bullets to the edge of the shoulder and use anywhere from 3-4 grains of TB. Think a lot of people would find that a .44 special or .45 Colt, in a decent revolver, a viable alternate to a pistol. I keep thinking about trading it for a Model 27 or, maybe, one of the new Pythons for extra weight. Agree 100% since I reload and shoot it since years, lost count. Like almost all pistol cartridges called ".38" the .38 Special actually takes .357" diameter bullets. The Model 19 is fine with .38s but mildly uncomfortable with .357s. (This is prevalent among most aftermarket designs- they are smallest in the longest, strongest finger area, and largest at the bottom pinkie area.). The 125 Hornady XTP, a jacketed hollow point bullet that can easily handle 1500 fps velocities. The cold header swages a bullet in one or two strokes. RN, 160 gr. I almost spit out my drink when I read your comment. Accurate's No. DR loads (158gr Remington swaged LSWC over 3.6gr AA#2 in Winchester .38 Special cases) I shoot American eagle, remington factory,remington umc, and mag tech. That revolver is aluminum and cannot handle the pressure of 9MM. Reloading for it came next and it has since become my favorite pistol cartridge. It'll look funky, but it will shoot. My sq. Yeah no. The 9mm produces about 35,000 psi, Most of these are at the upper end. You can always back off to the .32 S&W Long or .32 H&R Mag if you choose to. I dont miss lubing casescarbide is king! Ive been looking for a reason to get into reloading, and am particularly intrigued by the extremely long case life of .38 Special. Re: 38 special loads by GrumpyOldMan 11/10/2013, 4:23 pm IIRC, the NRA Action Pistol power floor is a "factor" of 125, which requires a full 1,000 fps for 125-gr bullets. (bullseyeforum.net). These two can cover the entire performance spectrum up to .38+P. I dont bother polishing my .38 brass because I just dont let it fall in the mud or dirt. The fast powders, W231, HP38, Bullseye would go over pressure very quickly with any slight changes, in seating depth or primer change. Power Pistols works well in short auto cartridges and higher pressure cartridges but no so well with a 158 grain bullets in 38 Special. A significant difference in speeds is usually noted. All right are Reserved Reload Ammo, Reloading The .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol), hi=849 lo=728 ES=122 (powder up and down), hi=821 lo=684 ES=137 (powder up and down), hi=815 lo=637 ES=178 (powder in normal positions), hi=714 lo=549 ES=165 (powder up and down), hi=758 lo=693 ES=65 (powder up and down)(DO NOT USE LESS), Hi=886, Lo=861, ES=25 (This is a Carolina Cast bullet SWC-great cowboy load), hi=859 lo=743 ES=116 *(my personal medium load), hi=875 lo=685 ES=190.2(powder up and down), hi=710 lo=497 ES=213 (powder up and down), hi=791 lo=625 ES=166 (Powder up and down), hi=785 lo=670 ES=115 (powder up and down), hi=801, low=766 ES=35.32 in Contender 14 bbl. As a young man, I came into a couple of cases of hand-me-down factory mid-range wadcutters. Powders include IMR, Hodgdon, Alliant, Vihtavuori, Winchester, Accurate Beginners to shooting can use a full size revolver or their carry gun with light to mild loads to become confident and familiar with marksmanship and trigger control. A longer case, with have a tighter crimp them a shorter one, what will lead to variations in pressure, and accuracy. Me too! Thanks to all for the info. I checked out Alliant's website-no data for flat point with the powders I have, but data for Gold Dot HPs for Bullseye and Unique. It would have been too hot. At one time or another, I also owned and shot a M38 Bodyguard (nka the 638), a M37 Chiefs Special (now the 637), a M60 (which is a tad heavier but no more user-friendly), and a couple of others. Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. If there is only ONE load, it is MAX. Just look for a lead remover tool with bronze screens. You are spot on about Trail Boss, that stuff is magical with cast reloads. Not as easy to find brass these days as it is not the most popular round anymore. And Vihtavouris N320 and N321 fall in this range for burning times. I dont own anything in .38 special yet, but I have plans to buy a .357 magnum revolver in near future, so I already reloaded couple thousands of rounds in .38 and .357. The SP101 is far more comfortable to shoot but not so much fun to carry. YouTube has plenty of reloading channels or the Reloaders Network webpage has more info as well. No offense sir but those charges look low for Unique. Accurate, powder-puff recoil, and serious power all in one. RN, 158 gr. He has taught and been responsible for numerous advanced skills and weapons courses within multiple organizations. Alliant listed 3.6 gr Bullseye as maximum (15000 psi) in 38 Special and 3.8 as max in 38 Special PLUS P (17000 psi) with 158 LSWC bullets.