Favorite .38Spcl loads with SNS 158gr SWC

[ElvinL]

Hi all.

Have a newly acquired box of SNS Castings SWC 158gr for 38-Spcl and am looking for some favorite loads from others that have loaded and shot these. Any Chrono'd loads?

Have CFE Pistol, not yet used bottle of BE-86, Titegroup and HS-6.

Thx

 

[ArchAngelCD]

One of my 2 favorite .38 Special loads is a 158gr LSWC bullet over 4.0gr W231/HP-38. I use HS-6 for a field load but my charge exceeds current published data and is at the upper end of the +P pressure limits. I always use a magnum primer with HS-6.

 

[vaalpens]

I don't have a favorite load yet since I just started loading 38/357. Following is some chrono data for MBC 158gr coated LSWC bullets. They should be similar to what you have.

357mag, Ruger SP101, 3"
COL: 1.620"
MBC, 158gr, B18HTSWC, CFEpistol, 5.3gr, CCI500
Average: 838
ES: 13
SD: 4.6
Force: 246
PF: 132
Velocities: 832, 838, 845, 838, 839

357mag, Ruger SP101, 3"
COL: 1.620"
MBC, 158gr, B18HTSWC, Unique, 5.4gr, CCI500
Average: 848
ES: 61
SD: 22.7
Force: 252
PF: 133
Velocities: 872, 853, 848, 858, 811

38spl, Ruger SP101, 3"
COL: 1.475"
MBC, 158gr, B18HTSWC, 700X, 3.3gr, CCI500
Average: 674
ES: 45
SD: 19.4
Force: 159
PF: 106
Velocities: 689, 681, 693, 660, 648

38spl, Ruger SP101, 3"
COL: 1.475"
MBC, 158gr, B18HTSWC, Bullseye, 3.5gr, CCI500
Average: 707
ES: 20
SD: 7.9
Force: 175
PF: 111
Velocities: 709, 720, 702, 705, 700

38spl+p, Ruger SP101, 3"
COL: 1.475"
MBC, 158gr, B18HTSWC, PowerPistol, 5.4gr, CCI500
Average: 865
ES: 30
SD: 11
Force: 262
PF: 136
Velocities: 864, 878, 868, 869, 848

 

[Mostly Lead]

Hi all.

Have a newly acquired box of SNS Castings SWC 158gr for 38-Spcl and am looking for some favorite loads from others that have loaded and shot these. Any Chrono'd loads?

Have CFE Pistol, not yet used bottle of BE-86, Titegroup and HS-6.

Thx

ElvinL, what is it about that bullet you find different from other 158 SWC lead bullets?

I've had some nice 38 Special loads using TiteGroup, but went through some trial and error finding the best load for my gun. There are probably enough differences in our guns to warrant working up a load specific to your gun. (cylinder spacing, throat diameter, timing, barrel length, barrel condition, etc...)

Hodgdon lists load data for both CFE Pistol and Titegroup on their website. I used to start at minimum, load 10 rounds, bump it up .2 grains, load another 10 rounds, repeat... With careful testing off a bench (with sandbags) I settled in on my favorite loads.

Your mileage will vary and I wish you only success...