38 Special Data
I have shot thousands upon thousands of 38 Special rounds using 3.5 grains of Bullseye with 158 grain LSWC, JHP, LRN, LBBFPRN, etc. Point of aim between the bullets type is close enough that I cannot tell a difference between bullets. I truly think that my flinch causes more variation in impact than bullet configuration. Velocities are so similar it would take a statistical analysis, (perhaps Students T test?) to see if there is a velocity difference between a LSWC and a LRN of the same alloy.
I have shot that load in many revolvers, some I still own, some I do not. I have shot that load in 38 Snubbies, four inch barreled 38’s, and 357 Revolvers. It shoots very well in them all.
The dumped charges are as similar as I can make them, given a Dillion progressive, there are variations due to which primers I used. Primer use is based on who was making the cheapest primer at the time of loading. Winchester has been the consistently low cost primer maker for a while, most loads are WSP.
I have never found a need to use the same case, so I am using brass that has been fired God Knows how many times and a rainbow of headstamps. All of which shoot fine.
I have shot other powders and other loads, but Bullseye is so constantly accurate and shoots to Point of Aim in the fixed sight revolvers, that I have standardized on that load and powder and see no reason to chase the “Powder de jour” . It also is close to the non +P factory ammunition I have shot in terms of velocity. So I consider this load equivalent to factory ammunition.
Now the S&W series of revolvers are sighted for 125 grain bullets. The older snubbies were sighted for 158 grain bullets. I developed some 125 grain loads with Bullseye, and it worked very well.
Colt Detective Special mfgr 1963 24-Jul-99 T = 100 F !
158 gr LRN 3.5 grs Bullseye thrown, CCI primers mixed cases
Average 751 fps
Standard Deviation 32 fps
Extreme Spread 90 fps
High 805
Low 715
Recorded shots 22
158 LRN 3.5 grs Bullseye WSP Mixed cases 8-Jan-06 T = 52 F
Ave Vel = 675.9
Std Dev = 18.6
ES 96.18
High 723.9
Low 627.7
N = 50
158 LSWC 3.5 grs Bullseye WSP Mixed cases 8-Jan-06 T = 58 F
Ave Vel = 706.8
Std Dev = 15.55
ES 65.87
High 742.9
Low 677
N = 50
S&W M637-2 2" barrel
125 Valiant BBRNFP 4.0 grs Bullseye Mixed cases WSP 9-Apr-06 T = 59 F
Ave Vel =760.4
Std Dev =27.33
ES 82.1
High 798.9
Low 716.8
N = 19
More or less Point of aim Surprising recoil
125 Valiant BBRNFP 4.5 grs Bullseye Mixed cases WSP 9-Apr-06 T = 64 F
Ave Vel =827.9
Std Dev =23.21
ES 92.27
High 879.4
Low 787.1
N = 20
Maybe a little low Windage centered
S&W M638-3 Airweight Bodyguard
148 LWC Valiant 2.7 grs Bullseye thrown Mixed Brass WSP
18-Mar-07 T = 52 °F
Ave Vel =611.6
Std Dev =22.04
ES 75.92
High 648.1
Low 572.2
N = 25
little high
158 LSWC 3.5 grs Bullseye Mixed brass WSP
18-Mar-07 T = 52 °F
Ave Vel =611.1
Std Dev =9.64
ES 28.05
High 626.3
Low 598.3
N = 32
4-6" High, accurate
S&W M637-2 2" barrel
158 LRN 3.5 grs Bullseye WSP Mixed cases
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F
Ave Vel =679
Std Dev =16.48
ES 56.11
High 698.2
Low 642
N = 18
125 Valiant BBRNFP 4.0 grs Bullseye Lot BE 532 Mixed cases CCI 500
6-Apr-07 T = 48 °F
Ave Vel =763.9
Std Dev =22
ES 78
High 806.5
Low 728.5
N = 15
Point aim OK
