.38 S&W load data

Loader1234 · Mar 3, 2021

Trying to gather more published load data on .38 S&W before I start loading. I have Lee, Hornady, and Lyman manuals, but Lyman is the only manual with any data. I would appreciate anyone who can posting a snapshot of the .38 S&W load data from any of the remaining manuals. I would also welcome any and all advice. Thank you.

fxvr5 · Mar 3, 2021

There is also data on Hodgdon's website.

https://shop.hodgdon.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=53

Thomasss · Mar 3, 2021

Why do you say Lyman is the the only good book. Hornady has lots of .38 special loads. From your point of view what are you looking for. Maybe name bullet size and types you like to use. There are a variety of shotgun powders that can be used. Also look up cowboy loads. You can cast your own bullets and load 'm real easy.
Try Alliant powder.com and also Speer mig.com In those two websites, you will have to specify a particular size bullet to get a recipe.

MetalMan52 · Mar 3, 2021

He is looking for 38 S&W information not 38 Special. They are two different cartridges.

MetalMan52 · Mar 3, 2021

From the Speer #10 manual
I hope these come through clear enough

Loader1234 · Mar 3, 2021

fxvr5 said:
There is also data on Hodgdon's website.

https://shop.hodgdon.com/reloading-data-center?rdc=true&type=53

Thanks much. I am in the process of data mining powder manufacturers websites and this will save some time.

Loader1234 · Mar 3, 2021

Thomasss said:
Why do you say Lyman is the the only good book. Hornady has lots of .38 special loads. From your point of view what are you looking for. Maybe name bullet size and types you like to use. There are a variety of shotgun powders that can be used. Also look up cowboy loads. You can cast your own bullets and load 'm real easy.
Try Alliant powder.com and also Speer mig.com In those two websites, you will have to specify a particular size bullet to get a recipe.

Looking for .38 s&w not .38 spcl, but I really appreciate the feedback.

Loader1234 · Mar 3, 2021

MetalMan52 said:
From the Speer #10 manual
I hope these come through clear enough

They came out clear enough, I just want to confirm that those are for .38 s&w and not .38 spcl.

swg1 · Mar 3, 2021

Loader1234 said:
They came out clear enough, I just want to confirm that those are for .38 s&w and not .38 spcl.

Case length on second page would indicate so.

Walkalong · Mar 3, 2021

.38 S&W (Not Sol) Speer

MetalMan52 · Mar 3, 2021

MetalMan52 said:
From the Speer #10 manual
I hope these come through clear enough

Yes these pages are for 38 S&W

GeoDudeFlorida · Mar 3, 2021

Loader1234 said:
Trying to gather more published load data on .38 S&W before I start loading. I have Lee, Hornady, and Lyman manuals, but Lyman is the only manual with any data. I would appreciate anyone who can posting a snapshot of the .38 S&W load data from any of the remaining manuals. I would also welcome any and all advice. Thank you.

The best place to start is to slug your bore and find out what size projectiles you need to use. Most recently published manuals assume a .357” bore and their data is based on bullets in that size range. Typically .357” is going to be very undersized for a .38S&W revolver.

First find out which bullet you need, then find some of them, then get data for what you have to do what you want. If your guns bore is .361” and you load up 125gr JSP bullets using published data you will be very disappointed in the results.

mcb · Mar 3, 2021

I have Lyman 49th edition, if you want a copy I can post it, but you probably already have that data.

Are you looking for a specific bullet weight? I worked up a load for my Webley. Matt's bullet makes a great replica of the original 38-200 Mk1 200 gr hemispherical round nose lead bullet. He also makes a pointier version mimicing the MkII bullet and a 150 gr bullet. They are all sized correctly for 38S&W/38-200 at .361 or .362 your choice.

MetalMan52 · Mar 4, 2021

I'll second Matts bullets for the 38-200 S&W bullets

.38 S&W load data

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