I am looking for a good accurate load for 38 Special. I have been using HS6 and Accurate #7. I like the accuracy but I don't like all the unburned powder that I am always cleaning up (very dirty). Any suggestions...? Thanks!!

3.2grains of bullseye 158gr swc
Shoots great out of a model 10 and model 14 smith

I have heard alot of bullseye... Just never picked up any because alot of people say its almost identical to titegroup (another powder I use for 38 special).... Maybe I will pick up some this weekend. Good load to try on my new press (Hornady AP will be here sometime this week...) Thanks

A standard .38 Special accuracy load in the S&W M52 is 2.7-2.9 grains of Bullseye with a 148 grain full wadcutter. Very clean load.
Also check WW231 too. You'll find that 231 gives you a "one powder" ability for pistol cartridges, until you decide you want heavy loads for the big magnums, but, it even works well with the .45 Colt.

LLS

Agree completely with sierra2.......that's my pet load off the bench, one smoking hole! I seat my HBWC flush with case mouth with a light crimp but notice Rem. factory loads have a small amount of lead exposed, then a crimp. Loss of accuracy above 2.9 grs. IMHO. r in s.

3.2 gr of Unique with 148 gr HBWC in my Colt Python gives superb accuracy.

Steve E.........

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sierra2:
A standard .38 Special accuracy load in the S&W M52 is 2.7-2.9 grains of Bullseye with a 148 grain full wadcutter. Very clean load.
Also check WW231 too. You'll find that 231 gives you a "one powder" ability for pistol cartridges, until you decide you want heavy loads for the big magnums, but, it even works well with the .45 Colt.

Bullseye is the filthiest, nastiest and most smoky powder I have ever used. Why anyone would consider using it when you get identical results with 231 is a mystery to me. Jim

I have never used HBWC's before.. I am still somewhat new to reloading (about a year now).. Thanks for your comments... I will try both 231 and bullseye... I do have one more question though. Can you load +p in a non +p case or does it have to be a +p case? I do know some manufactures make their +p cases a little thicker..... Once again, Thanks.... Tom

+P is only for the hotter load. just a little more powder, all the cases are the same.

bloodhound, What bullet are you using ?

I was using 158g cast SWC's.. I just recently bought some Hornady 125g JHP's... Can't wait to use some of them... I have already used quite a few in 357.. Just not 38 Special.

I've had great results for .38spl with 158gr LSWC+LRNFP using Bullseye, Trail Boss, Unique and AA#5. My .38 spls have fixed sights and 158(best)/148WC gives me the best match for POA and POI. For Jacketed bullets I've had good results with bullseye, W-231, AA#5 and Unique. I have HS6 and AA#7 but I have not tried these for .38spl but I did load some 158gr LRNFP with Blue Dot and they were fine in my S&W m-10 6".

Please excuse my error referring to Blue Dot and 158gr LRNFP, I recently shot a box of these through my Mod-10 (.357 dia) and there was a lot of unburned powder, my first test loads were with .358 dia and they seemed fine I was loading with 6.0 and wsp for both, there may have been less crimp on the .357 dia load as well ? So it would seem that Blue Dot may be on the edge for .38 spl ? sorry

Titegroup is becoming my powder of choice for all light revolver loads, especially .38. Previously it was Unique but then I have been loading Unique since 1969. My last loadings were 140 cast SWC and 3.7 grains. Very nice light and accurate load for plinking or punching holes in paper.

Are you guys noticing alot of unburned powder with your loads? Like I said, I have been using HS6 and am ending up with alot of powder all over the place when I am done shooting. Do you think I need to put a tighter crimp or use heavier loads?

Bloodhound689,

Do you have a gun powder burning rate chart? As pistol powders go, HS6 is slow burning and dirty for 38 special target loads. Use a really fast burner like AA#2 or Clays and see the difference. Bullseye is 40% nitroglycerine content, and as I remember from 30 years ago, clean burning. I use WW231, but not for hot +P loads.

Have to admit I have switched to 231 for most of my handgun loading. Just have not gotten around to a new .38 Special load with 231 cause I still have Bullseye to use up. Unique can be a lot dirtier than Bullseye.

Yea, I think my next pound of powder will be 231

quote:

Originally posted by bloodhound689:
Are you guys noticing alot of unburned powder with your loads? Like I said, I have been using HS6 and am ending up with alot of powder all over the place when I am done shooting. Do you think I need to put a tighter crimp or use heavier loads?

Are you using magnum primers for your HS-6 loads? It is a good powder for +P (or +P+) loads, but will shoot cleaner with a magnum primer and a firm crimp. I like Tite Group and Universal Clays for mild and mid-range loads in the .38 and .357 mag with cast bullets. With those powders, the standard primers work fine.

If you're using a S&W M52, I have found a really nice load. This is 3.7 of HP38, under a Hornady 148 gr. HBWC. Seat slightly below fluch, with a gentle roll over the front radius. NOTE: I know this load is a bit heavy, but it's still within published limits. I use this load because I have a slide mounted Ultra-Dot, and it cycles the pistol well.

My favorite 38 spc load was 2.5grs Bullseye w/148gr wad cutter. Now I use HS6 w/155gr Keith type HP's. If you really want to see dirty, try some Red Dot.

I like either 2.55 grains of BullsEye or 2.7 grains of PB over a 148 grain HBWC. Remington 148 gr HBWCs have been consistently the best, but Hornady are not too bad, either.

Seat the bullets flush with the case mouth and apply a hefty roll crimp. Most people will not like the hefty roll crimp idea, but Ransom Rest testing has proven over and over that it helps with accuracy. Perhaps it gets the initial pressure up better and one gets a better burn. The use of a Lee Carbide Factory Crimp die will do the job very nicely. Regular roll-crimping dies do not work as well for this.

Use a soft, mild primer like Remington 1&1/2 or Federal.

My most consistent loads in .38 Spec. has been with AA#2. I've tried Unique, SR7625, AA#5, and Win231. Accurate Arms #2 gave the best results with Hornady and Remington 125hp's. 4.9 to 5.1 grains of AA#2, RP brass, CCI500 primers and a C.O.L. of 1.440-1.445 will get you between 800-900fps. A good tight fit between brass and bullet and a roll crimp help get consistent velocity. Some .38 brass has thinner walls and some dies may not size the brass enough to hold the bullet tightly. If your expander die feels like it is doing no expanding then maybe your sizer isn't sizing down enough. Check Accurate Arms data for .38 Special loads. You'd like the results with AA#2.

Thanks for all of your opinions guys... However I am currently dead in the water... Got my new Hornady AP press and broke the shell retainer spring... Talk about frusterating!!!!! Now I will have to wait another couple weeks for a $1.50 spring!! I knew I should have waited to sell my other press....Anyway, I printed out this thread and will try out some of your loads... Thanks again......

I posted this in another topic and thought I would say it here too... I called Hornady about my Retainer spring two days later my new springs (TWO) were in the mailbox (FREE).... Koodos to Hornady.... I will start loading today!!

I like 6.0 grains of AA #5 behind a 158 SWC.