.38 Special Heavy & Slow

Mark_Mark · Oct 15, 2021

Any suggestions on a very heavy .38 Special that is very slow, Sub-sonic Slow. I’ll be using Hard Cast out of a 24” barrel and a 5.5” barrel

Lnf Crzr · Oct 15, 2021

Trail boss powder or Bullseye, Lyman 173gr semi wadcutter… 38 brass, Is first idea I have

Can? What kinda Firearms?

Mark_Mark · Oct 15, 2021

Lnf Crzr said:
Trail boss powder or Bullseye, Lyman 173gr semi wadcutter… Is first idea I have

Can? What kinda Firearms?

Winchester 1873 (modern) & pair of 1873 SAA 5.5”

Lnf Crzr · Oct 15, 2021

No can? Just fun plinking?

Mark_Mark · Oct 15, 2021

Lnf Crzr said:
No can? Just fun plinking?

should I thread my Uberti 1873??? great idea

Lnf Crzr · Oct 15, 2021

The SWC will give ya issues

Saeco mold round nose 200gr could be worth the cost. Powder coat (No grease Groove smoke)

Mark_Mark · Oct 15, 2021

Lnf Crzr said:
The SWC will give ya issues

Saeco mold round nose 200gr could be worth the cost. Powder coat (No grease Groove smoke)

I don’t like the look of powder coat, going with lead and grease

edwardware · Oct 15, 2021

200gr .38Spl beginning info here: https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/38-special-200-grain-police-load/387763

Lnf Crzr · Oct 15, 2021

Thread a Old school looking Lever, Sure. Yet I’d refrain.

What your seeking is a “Cat sneeze” Load

Lnf Crzr · Oct 15, 2021

Mark_Mark said:
I don’t like the look of powder coat, going with lead and grease

I don’t care for the look- yet No smoke, leading, And not a expensive jacketed Bullet.

At your requested speed, 700fps- You probably only need lead.

Once you stick one in the barrel, push it out , add a smidge of powder and that’s your minimum speed limit- barrel length varies this

Mark_Mark · Oct 15, 2021

edwardware said:
200gr .38Spl beginning info here: https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/38-special-200-grain-police-load/387763

200 grain going sub sounds good!

film495 · Oct 15, 2021

158 Grain LRN, 3.3 grains of Win 231, seems to work for me and much softer shooting than factory loads .. I get subsonic, buy why do you want to get real heavy and slow? Are you just looking to mess around and really lob some from distance just for entertainment sake?

Lnf Crzr · Oct 15, 2021

I attempted to do this with my Sharps 45-70 and 34” barrel.
Had a Marlin 24” in 357 cowboy… attempted that one also.

Ya , still u can only get so much “Hush” if that’s your Plan

Mark_Mark · Oct 15, 2021

film495 said:
158 Grain LRN, 3.3 grains of Win 231, seems to work for me and much softer shooting than factory loads .. I get subsonic, buy why do you want to get real heavy and slow? Are you just looking to mess around and really lob some from distance just for entertainment sake?

thanks!

.308 Norma · Oct 15, 2021

Mark_Mark said:
Any suggestions on a very heavy .38 Special that is very slow, Sub-sonic Slow.

"Sub-sonic Slow"???

Do you mean "Sub-sonic" like about 99% of .38 Special loads - especially when you're using bullets that weigh more than about 110grs?
My favorite "most purposes" .38 Special load is a 168gr "Keith style" SWC, over 4.6grs of Unique for around 825fps average from my revolver's 4" barrel. The speed of sound in air is about 1100fps, so that load is way "subsonic."

Mark_Mark · Oct 15, 2021

.308 Norma said:
"Sub-sonic Slow"??? Do you mean "Sub-sonic" like about 99% of .38 Special loads - especially when you're using bullets that weigh more than about 110grs?
My favorite "most purposes" .38 Special load is a 168gr "Keith style" SWC, over 4.6grs of Unique for around 825fps average from my revolver's 4" barrel. The speed of sound in air is about 1100fps, so that load is way "subsonic."

Thanks! anybody got somthing for Lil-Gun or H110

Lnf Crzr · Oct 15, 2021

That’s what I use when I want to get 2000+ fps in my 357 carbines.
Opposite burn rate (Slow) powder than what you would want

reddog81 · Oct 15, 2021

Mark_Mark said:
Thanks! anybody got somthing for Lil-Gun or H110

Hopefully not for sub-sonic .38 Special loads. Hot .357 magnum loads work well with H110. Light .357 Magnum loads are a no go with H110. No .38 Special loads are appropriate with H110.

AzShooter1 · Oct 15, 2021

I have had very good luck with home cast 180 grain bullets in .38 special brass with Trail Boss.

Trail Boss works by filling the case to the top of where your bullet is seated. ( Start 10% below that ) It's super clean and very accurate.

Lnf Crzr · Oct 15, 2021

Ps - H110 can’t be reduced less than 3% (Disclaimer, Use the loading data Books)

Also with this endeavor, Make sure to have the Bullet exit the muzzle… or you could have a Bullet in the barrel….. then fire another. Would be catastrophic.

v8stang289 · Oct 15, 2021

Mark_Mark said:
Thanks! anybody got somthing for Lil-Gun or H110

Both of those are powders that work well in 357magnum loads, they're not going to work for regular subsonic 38spl loads

PapaG · Oct 15, 2021

Mark_Mark said:
Winchester 1873 (modern) & pair of 1873 SAA 5.5”

Isn't this a revolver column?

PapaG · Oct 15, 2021

Heavy and slow. RCBS 38-200RN, sized to .357 and the book load of Unique either in 39 or 357. Shot a bunch at bowling pinsa few years back. Only issue is the round nose...gotta hit straight on or the pins roll away.

Mark_Mark · Oct 15, 2021

PapaG said:
Isn't this a revolver column?

it is, I wanted to use the same cartridge in my SAA as the rifle

Mark_Mark · Oct 15, 2021

PapaG said:
Heavy and slow. RCBS 38-200RN, sized to .357 and the book load of Unique either in 39 or 357. Shot a bunch at bowling pinsa few years back. Only issue is the round nose...gotta hit straight on or the pins roll away.

I just slicked up my 1873 last night, 1st time doing it. I’ll be needing some new screws! lol, I gouged them

.38 Special Heavy & Slow

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