Do-it-all 38 Special plinking load

[Shear_stress]

Got a few 38 and 357 wheelguns and a recent production Marlin 1984C in 357 Magnum (regular Ballard rifling, not micro-groove). I'd like to simplify my life and have a single, light 38 Special plinking load for everything. There is no lack of recipes, and I am looking at a few using 158 grain LSWC and maybe 3-4 grains of Bullseye. I've worked with a lot of 148 grain double-ended wadcutters in wheelguns, but it seems like the more tapered profile of the LSWC might cycle better in the rifle. Nothing too unusual going on so far.

Beyond cycling, the only unknown for me is how a load like this will fire in the rifle. Is 3-4 grains of Bullseye enough to make sure that 158 grain slug can make its way out of the muzzle and down range?

Edited to change "known" to "unknown".

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've just started shooting some Cowboy Action, and I'm using 2.7 grains of Bullseye and Speer swaged 158 grain SWC bullets, in both the handguns and rifles. It works just fine and a pleasure to shoot. I obtained about 20,000 of these bullets in a trade a number of years ago and I had been giving them away, or trading them. Now I'm sorry I got rid of about 13,000 of them! Your loads of 3 to 4 grains will be more than sufficient to clear the barrel of your Marlin and hit the target. I haven't tried these particular loads past 50 yards, but they hit where I aim out to there.

In my Marlin .357 Carbine, with Micro-groove rifling, I'm shooting a Saeco 180 grain cast flatnose bullet over 14 grains of Winchester 296, and it shoots better than any jacketed bullet I've tried in the gun. I'm using Rooster Red lube and sizing them .358". Sure makes for cheap, accurate shooting out of that carbine.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[LAH]

All Round Plinking Load

I like the 158 RNFP at near 38 Special factory velocity. These bullets are accurate, good killers, function well in lever gun, and are great for speedloader use. While they vary by make the one shown here has a very nice meplat and plenty of lube groove. They are also cheap.

 

[kahr404life]

Who made your RNFP 158 gr. bullet .

 

[LAH]

It's one we sell, Dry Creek Bullet Works, Inc.

 

[kahr404life]

Do have a catalog or web address and how much per 1000.

 

[Shear_stress]

Thanks, Fred. That puts my mind at ease. It'll be great to have one load for five different wheelguns and rifles.

I love loading for the 38 Special. With lead bullets, you can nearly get the cost per shot down to that of CCI Mini-Mags.

 

[LAH]

You can reach us here: [email protected] I don't pay for advertising here so let's do this off forum.

Our website is down. We are moving at present but can fill most orders for the machine cast bullets. Just contact us. God Bless.

 

[JoeHatley]

Shear_stress,

My all time favorite .38 special load is:

3.7 grains Bullseye powder
158 grain LSWC or plated FP bullet
Federal 100 primer
Star-Line brass

This load is right on the dividing line between standard and +P loads.

700 fps from a 2" model 642
800 fps from a 6" model 14-4
900 fps from my buddies Marlin "cowboy" rifle

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[mtnbkr]

I use about 3.5gr of Bullseye with a 158gr cast or plated bullet for my 38special plinking load. I've shot it in every 38 or 357 gun I've owned (S&W 36, GP100, and Winchester 94).

Chris

 

[LAH]

mtnbkr I also like 3.5 grs. of Bullseye. Good load.