.38 powder puff?

[CoastieShep]

Mom is coming out to visit next month and she wants to try some shooting. She's small, and 60, but in very good shape for her age. I have a .38 snub that I'm wanting to make a few light loads for so she can be more comfortable.
I have 125 grain hard cast and some universal powder. The manual has starting loads at 4.3 grains which is great for my range duties, but I feel like it would just be a little much for her first time.
Anybody tell me how light I can go? I'm still too new at reloading to feel comfortable making my own loads. Only going to be shooting at 15 yds.
Thanks gentlemen.

 

[zxcvbob]

You don't have any International or Red Dot do you? You should be able to load those a lot lighter than Universal.

I wouldn't drop Universal down much below 4.0 grains.

 

[CoastieShep]

Sure don't. I don't have a problem buying some, just didn't want to if I didn't have to. The universal is all I have, since I just started reloading a few days ago.

 

[FROGO207]

Does your LGS have the sample bottles of propellant? Mine does in the Hodgdon line. About three ounces of propellant for about $5.00. Might help with not needing to get a whole pound at once for this special job. Not sure if the other brands do this either.

 

[CoastieShep]

Don't think they did Frog. I'll have to check. If I have to buy a pound, it's ok, since I'll end up using it eventually.

 

[zxcvbob]

If you know any shotgun reloaders, they'll have an 8 lb keg or two of Red Dot or Clays (maybe both.) They'd probably give you a couple of ounces for such a worthwhile project. 2.5 grains of Clays or 3.0 grains of Red Dot would be a nice powderpuff load with lead 125's.

BTW, I have never seen sample-sized bottles of gunpowder.

 

[Seedtick]

If you decide to buy powder get some IMR Trail Boss. That is the ticket to PowderPuffville.

Seedtick

 

[10-96]

+1 on the Trail Boss powder. 3gr of TB is a great load behind a 158gr cast SWC.

 

[LightningMan]

+2 on the TrailBoss (powder-puff-load)

 

[Kernel]

Hodgon's 2009 reloading manual shows cowboy loads with 125 gr lead bullets and Universal powder.

Under .38 Special the show 4.3 gr of Universal gives 872 fps and 8,700 CUP. That's the starting load.

For the .38 Long Colt they show 3.2 grains of Universal gives 626 fps. 3.7 grains gives 772 fps.

IMO you could use those Colt loadings in your .38 Spl cases, maybe seat the bullet a little deeper to decrease the case volume some what, and not have any issue.

 

[Steve C]

A start load of 4.3 gr of Universal with a 125gr lead bullet is very mild. Hodgdon lists velocity at 872 fps but that's form a 7.7" barrel. Expect around 600 to 650 fps from a 2" snub. About the same velocity you'd get from a BB gun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree Trail Boss is a very good choice for light loads. If you can't find Trail boss try some W231/HP-38, it will give you good light and accurate loads too.

I saw International (International Clays) mentioned above, DO NOT us it in handgun ammo. Hodgdon warns it's dangerous to use in handgun applications, shotshells only for that powder.

 

[zxcvbob]

I saw International (International Clays) mentioned above, DO NOT us it in handgun ammo. Hodgdon warns it's dangerous to use in handgun applications, shotshells only for that powder.

They actually have some handgun data using International in the Cowboy Action section of their printed manual. It works very well in low-pressure handgun ctgs. I would keep it under about 20000 PSI though, because it tends to get "spiky".

http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Hodgdon Basic Manual.pdf

 

[wankerjake]

I've found clays (regular, not international) to be very mildly recoiling. It's what I use for powder puffing.

 

[243winxb]

From Hodgdon website > 148 GR. HDY LHBWC - Hodgdon Universal- bullet dia .358"- col 1.160"- 2.9gr 709fps- 7,400 CUP.

125 grain hard cast and some universal powder.

I would guess you could load 3.8gr with your 125 lead bullet and not lodge a bullet in the barrel? This would be very low pressure, not a clean burn, use at your own risk.

 

[bluetopper]

2.5gr of Bullseye would be great for her.

 

[Paladin38-40]

Same problem here

My wife is petite and has developed some arthritis in her wrist. For her I am now using a 130 grain Magnus SWC over 3.0 grains of Bullseye for 570 fps from a 4" barrel.

I have also used 148 grain HBWC over 2.2 grains of Bullseye but have never chronographed them.

Both are powder puff loads.

 

[CoastieShep]

Wow, my head hurts.
I'll see what my local shop has powder wise, and I'll go from there.
Thanks for the help gentlemen. One of these days I'll figure out the differences between powders, what bullet weights and all that other stuff.

 

[Hondo 60]

3.5 gr of titegroup under a 158gr LSWC

and Hodgdon actually recommends the same 3.2 - 3.8 gr for a 125 gr lswc too.

It's soo powder puff that the sound of it has made me look for a squib a couple of times.
But they've never gotten stuck & chrono to ~650 fps

 

[ArchAngelCD]

They actually have some handgun data using International in the Cowboy Action section of their printed manual. It works very well in low-pressure handgun ctgs. I would keep it under about 20000 PSI though, because it tends to get "spiky".

zxcvbob,
Why take a chance on a powder that can be dangerous when there are so many other powders out there that will do the same thing and better safely? Also, I would not suggest a powder that can be dangerous to use to a new reloader. We should only be suggesting safe and easy to use powders for new reloaders. There are a ton of good powders available without using International.

 

[zxcvbob]

OK, I can't argue with that. (Int'l would be great for this application, but so would other powders like Green Dot, that might be safer if loaded a little too heavy, or if someone gets the idea that because it works so well here it might be good in 9mm or .40 S&W...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, more information is always better than less...

 

[c919]

Go with trail boss.

I go with about 3.8 to 4 grains and it's a perfect light load for me.

 

[evan price]

3.5 gr of titegroup under a 158gr LSWC

and Hodgdon actually recommends the same 3.2 - 3.8 gr for a 125 gr lswc too.

It's soo powder puff that the sound of it has made me look for a squib a couple of times.
But they've never gotten stuck & chrono to ~650 fps

That's my favorite 38 Special load... 158 LSWC and 3.5 Titegroup. Straight from Hodgdon's Cowboy section, but mine seem to be about 700 fps. Accurate, easy to shoot.


The best powderpuff load out there is the old classic Lead Wadcutter load. 148-grain wadcutter, 2.7 grains of Bullseye. Not much pop but shoots great.