Another 38 spl thread.

[Big Daddy K]

So as not to high jack the other very informative 38 spl thread I ask the following.

I'm looking for a very light 38 spl load. Something in the cowboy load realm.

Gonna go with W 231 because I'm new to reloading for pistols. Small Caliber CCI or Win primers and some sort of lead wad cutter type bullet.

Shooting out of a very old S&W.

Also:

Can I also load the 38 S&W using the same components with less powder?

Again looking for very light loads for shooting out of a very old S&W.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Big Daddy K...You own any reloading manuals?

 

[Walkalong]

The Speer #13 is a good one.

Welcome to THR.

 

[Slamfire]

I am not a cowboy action shooter. I don't know their rules, don't know what velocities are required, don't know what bullet weights are required.

In other words you are asking for advice without providing much information to tailor the answer.

The lightest recoiling round I use is a 148 LSWC with 2.7 grains Bullseye. This is an old established target load.

You might want to try 125 LRN bullets and Trailboss. I don't use this powder but from what I have heard, it was developed for those cowboy action shooters who shoot ultra light loads.

It is my considered opinion that Cowboy action shooting has turned into a modern version of IPSC. That sport went from a self defense orientated sport to a "who can shoot the fastest" competition. When I read of people wanting to use ultra light 38 Special loads to compete in Cowboy action shooting, that tells me the sport has very little relationship to what was used in the old West.

 

[Happyshooter]

Trailboss has taken over the light lead .38 role from WST on my bench. I used to like WST for that role.

As a plus, it takes up about half the free space in the case even with puff loads.

 

[joneb]

Can I also load the 38 S&W using the same components with less powder?

The .38 S&W I think uses a .360-? dia. bullet the .38 spl. for lead will be more like .358" dia.

Trail Boss May be a great powder for you, it does not meter well for me in my Redding Mod. 3 charger it has two meter bars one has a .30 dia hole and TB will bridge it, the universal bar has a .75" hole and TB will not meter accurately.

 

[Big Daddy K]

Thanks everyone.

Bushnmaster I do have an old (70s) Hornady reloading manuel and am gonna get more.

Any sugestions

 

[cdrt]

The current Lyman manual is always a good one to have.

If you're looking at a bullet specific manual, I like the Speer book.

You can also get loads off the internet; most of the powder companies have on-line loads for different calibers. Their bullet selections are generic so you have to watch if they're talking about a jacketed bullet vs lead, etc.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Big Daddy K

cdrt made the suggestions on manuals I would have. If you are into Cowboy Action Shooting, some of the bullet and powder manufacturers have that information on their web sites. Remember...If you can't document a load recipe in a manual or a manufacturers web site don't load it...

Lyman 48th Edition
Sierra V Edition Second printing
Speer

 

[Norm Lee]

light load

3.0 gr of W231 under a wadcutter (your choice of style) weighing around 147 gr. Light, accurate,fun.

Cheers,

Norm