158 grain vs 125 grain lead bullets out of a 38 Special.

Shouldn't be any trouble finding a 38Special load for 130gr and using that recipe. Don't expect the same results as the 158gr, but it will be a fun sideline adventure.

As always, begin at the Starting Load and work up in small increments.

Keith G said:

I’m just wanting the 125 grains to impact at the same elevation as my 158’s. I’m thinking a lighter load so that the bullet spends more time in the barrel will get me close.?. Is that thought process correct?

Click to expand...

I'd agree with that process. Not sure which powders will do that for you though. Can't look up data at the moment.

Keith G said:

I’m just wanting the 125 grains to impact at the same elevation as my 158’s. I’m thinking a lighter load so that the bullet spends more time in the barrel will get me close.?. Is that thought process correct?

Click to expand...

Not sure if a lighter load will help as it will lessen the recoil. Loosening your grip may help, I adjust my sight picture by dropping the rear sight. You may find the windage is different with the lighter bullet.

I have a number of fixed sight 38 Specials, sighted for 158's, and nothing I ever did made them shoot to point of aim with 125 grain bullets. The recoil impulse is too different. I did develop some loads with my Airweights, these were adjusted for 125's, not 158's, and 4 grains of Bullseye shot well.

Code:

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

Personally, if I could swap 125's for 158's, that is what I would do. You pistol will shoot about four inches low at 25 yards if you use 125's, there is nothing you can do about it, and it is not worth bothering with if you can get the proper bullets. I prefer using and getting used to a 6 OC hold, or center of mass, as my purpose in practice is to train my brain when to pull the trigger, not to simply blast lead downrange. Having to hold off because the load won't shoot to point of aim, defeats my purpose.

Like you I also prefer the 158 grns. But I like 5 grains of Red Dot behind 125 grn jhp for an easy 900 fps plus in a 4". I won't try and influence what decision you'll make gut only offer my personal load with 125s.

Keith G said:

Slamfire, I agree about the recoil difference. Since I’m shooting them out of a 5.5” SA, I imagine the recoil would be almost non existent if I tried to load them really light to match the POI.

Click to expand...

Which, again, likely wouldn't work anyway. Yes, you'd increase barrel dwell time, but the barrel wouldn't be moving as much. Recoil is primarily a function of momentum.

Like said, there is really nothing you can do unless you want to file the front sight!
Sorry, I just had to...

ArchAngelCD said:

Like said, there is really nothing you can do unless you want to file the front sight!
Sorry, I just had to...

Click to expand...

That's funny I have a Taurus SS 85 2" barrel that shot high with 158gr standard pressure 38 spl I took a bit off the front sight so that it is regulated between 135 gr +P and 158gr bullets with standard loads. This worked out well for me, as I knew the material removed could not be replaced.

According to Quick Load, about 4 grains of Trail Boss with a 125 grain bullet will give you comparable muzzle velocity to your BE load with a 158 grain load, about 750 f/s. Zeroed for 50 yards, the 158 SWC at 750 f/s will drop about 6.5 inches to 75 yards. The 125 will drop a little less, about 5.7 inches. These are approximations, of course, as bullets and guns are all different.

@Keith G , I know you don't want to change anything but in reality it's only 500 bullets. Just use them for short distance practice, maybe for fast shooting on metal plates or the El-prez drill. You will use them up before you know it.

I would start with 2.8 BE and work from there.

2.8 BE under a 148 full wadcutter is a standard target load for bullseye shooting.

It would be a powder puff load for a 125. You can safely load fast burning powders like BE lighter than normal starting loads.

joneb said:

That's funny I have a Taurus SS 85 2" barrel that shot high with 158gr standard pressure 38 spl I took a bit off the front sight so that it is regulated between 135 gr +P and 158gr bullets with standard loads. This worked out well for me, as I knew the material removed could not be replaced.

Click to expand...

Once you ground your sight, I will bet it shot 158's even higher. And unless you have access to welding machines and grinders, the front sight will not grow any taller.

Or, the option as presented in post 13, is to shoot your handgun at targets 75 yards or further. You know, I thought 50 yards was a long distance with a handgun.

@Keith G
Lyman #50 lists a 120gr LRN bullet with BE. The starting charge weight is 2.8gr, the max is 4.6gr and the +P max is 4.9gr BE. The list the 4.6gr load as potentially most accurate. That data is 100% safe with your bullet.

Why don't you give them a try? I have a Lee mod for a 125 gr RNFP dropping bullets at .358". They may not shoot to the exact point, but unless you are shooting for extreme accuracy, what's the harm? I use them for light loads, medium heavy loads for my 3" 38, and near magnum velocities in my 4" 357. I even use them in my 2" Taurus, fixed sight. I get good accuracy and they are fun to shoot. I have a few +P loads but keep them for a house gun...

Slamfire said:

Once you ground your sight, I will bet it shot 158's even higher.

Click to expand...

Sorry my bad, the 158's shot a bit low at 15yds it required a 6 o'clock hold. I did this mod about 20 years ago, the gun shoots POA at 15 yds with 135gr Federal Hydroshock's and I reloaded 140gr Rainier TCFP plated for practice. This seemed like a good compromise for this pistol.

Keith G said:

I’m just wanting the 125 grains to impact at the same elevation as my 158’s. I’m thinking a lighter load so that the bullet spends more time in the barrel will get me close.?. Is that thought process correct?

Click to expand...

I could never get them to hit to POA in my M10 snub even with light loads of TB. I got to the point I could hold top of the plates to hit center, but that was as close as I got. The old fixed sight .38s I've found prefer 158s. YMMV.