Loading data for 38 SPL and Bullseye.

[whm1974]

On my charts and the book that came with my Lee kit and dies it says starting load for 158 gr bullet w/ Bullseye is 3.5 grains which is what I'm using. I'm wondering however if I can go below that, like use 3 grains. Besides trying to get more loads out of my powder I'm also trying to save wear and tear on my gun.

Thanks

-Bill

 

[stans]

3.5 grains of Bullseye under a 158 grain lead bullet should be giving no more than about 800 feet per second out of a 6 inch barrel, so I think this pretty well duplicates factory 158 grain loads. I don't think you have to worry about over stressing a gun with this load.

 

[whm1974]

Reading the chart it's 910 fps...

-Bill

 

[mtnbkr]

I've gone as low as 2.5grs in a 4" barrel with 158gr bullets. My current load is 3.4grs though (purely a 50yd or less plinking load).

I was loading 1gr of Bullseye under a 000 buckshot ball at one point. It sounded like a capgun and you could see the ball fly.

Chris

 

[whm1974]

I've gone as low as 2.5grs in a 4" barrel with 158gr bullets. My current load is 3.4grs though (purely a 50yd or less plinking load).

Thanks. I have a 5" barrel on mine. I shoot at 25 yards and just looking for a target or plinking load.

-Bill

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've gone as low as 2.3 to 2.5 grains of Bullseye under both 148-grain wadcutters and slightly heavier semi-wadcutters.

I've recently started using Hodgon Tight Group, and find light loads of it meter much more accurately, which delivers improved accuracy on the range.

 

[LAH]

I use 3.0 grs. of Bullseye with 158's and have for a long time. I find the load very accurate and easy on my old 5 screw K frame.

The 45th Lyman Hand Book lists 3.5 grs. as a max. load @ 826 fps and also as a factory duplication load.

My lastest Lyman book shows 4.2 grs. as max for 880 fps @ 16,2000 CUP.

Try the 3.0 gr. load and let us know how it does for you.

 

[whm1974]

Try the 3.0 gr. load and let us know how it does for you.

I'll do that. There is a guy at work who was telling me that I should ADD MORE powder to make sure the bullet exits the barrel... With soft lead I doubt I'll have any problems with bullet getting stuck in a 5" barrel. More likely I'll have the gun blow up on me if I took his advice...

-Bill

 

[LAH]

Bill I've shot 1000's of these 158 gr. lead bullets with 3.0 grs. of Bullseye and never had one stick in the barrel.

 

[whm1974]

Bill I've shot 1000's of these 158 gr. lead bullets with 3.0 grs. of Bullseye and never had one stick in the barrel.

So I should be fine then. The guy at work that told me to ADD more powder told me this after I mention I'm going to reload. I could see not reducing the starting charge with jacketed bullets, but with the starting and never exceed charges with only a 1/10 of a grain diffence between them, I wouldn't tell a beginning reloader to add more powder.

-Bill

 

[Jim Watson]

I suggest you get another manual. There is a peculiarity in the Lee book in that the "never exceed" load is the powder manufacturer's maximum. The start load is apparently the next lower load that a Lee disc measure will deliver. Some Lee start and "never exceed" loads are the same due to this advertising gimmick.

The usual recommendation for a starting load is 10% under the maximum. That is not necessarily a minimum load. Lyman in particular shows lower loads than anybody else.

Lead bullets are easier to drive through the barrel and may be shot with lighter loads than jacketed. If you DO stick a bullet it is a lot easier to get a lead bullet out than jacketed.

But Stans is right. You will take a lifetime wearing out a quality gun with any listed .38 Special load.

 

[whm1974]

I suggest you get another manual. There is a peculiarity in the Lee book in that the "never exceed" load is the powder manufacturer's maximum. The start load is apparently the next lower load that a Lee disc measure will deliver. Some Lee start and "never exceed" loads are the same due to this advertising gimmick.

I do have a Speer #12. I plan on getting another manual sometime soon.

-Bill