Setting up to relaod for my M38. Thought I had a lot of data but it's kinda skinny. Have any of you folks had luck with the Sierra 140 grain boat tail bullets. I have a M70 and it likes them really well but thought I would ask before diving in. Thanks, smoker1

I just loaded up some Sierra 140 gr Matchkings for my M38.I'm currently using H380,Win brass, and WLR primers.I loaded up starting at 42.2 grains and worked up in .3 gr increments to 43.3 grains.The old Sierra manual I'm using shows a max load of 44 grains.I'll post results as they occur.

Thanks Burke, really appreciate it. I will in turn do the same for you. Have you tried the loaded ammo yet? I bought 100 rounds of something....can't remember who the maker is but it's supposed to be 176 grain. Just bought it for the brass. I'll let you know how that shoots when the weather lets up. smoker1

I bought some of the FNM stuff from Cole Distributing, but haven't had the opportunity to try it yet.Hoping the weather holds for a few days so I can put rounds down range.

well, the H380 experiment was a loser. But I loaded 12 round with IMR 4064 and 140gr MK's, and they show some promise.I shot 4 groups and I think I can cut the size of the groups considerably.I had some things working against my favor.This was my first trip to the range with this rifle, and my first trip to the range with a long gun in about 18 months.Here is the first group.

The rest of the groups.

Burke, looks like your starting to tighten them up. Keep up thr good work. Are your first two the ones close together? Wondering if the flyer is due to barrel heating??? I have a M70 in .65 and I ended up with the 140 spiyzer BT with 38.5 4895. That was one od Sierra's recommend's. My starting loads for the Swede will be IMR 4831 43.0 and IMR 4895 37.5....wonder hoe they will group. smoker

My m38 sweed likes reloader 22. With a max charge of 48.0 grs. I averaged just a little over an inch with 140 gr. Hornady's. I love my m38. They are a lot of fun and can be very accurate. LLB

Thanks.Oddly enough I just bought a pound.How many grains did you start with?

I've have always used Sierra's accuracy loads with outstanding results for my 6.5 Swede.

You maybe in for a pleasant surprise if you try Sierra 120 gr. Matchkings. I used 40.5 grains of IMR 4064, W-W primer, and shot groups that would have been the envy of a scope sighted varmit rifle! It flys in the face of logic considering the fast twist of the barrels, but it worked. I used a large target to get good sight definition and without witnesses I'd be called a liar, but the groups at 100 yards were just one ragged hole. Give it a try and good luck.

hacksawtom, that was a very pleasant surprise. I happen to have a damn near full box of 120 Sierra's. My M70 liked them but I thought the heavier bullet might work better on a Whitetail hunt I did....They worked fine, not saying the 120's wouldn't have. I'm definatly going to laod a test of 120's. Thanks again, Phil

Have you guys tried these loads in an M96?