just loaded another box of .38 spls.

[tasco 74]

tonite i reloaded some .38 spls. .......... i used 150 gr cast bullets over 3.5 grs of bullseye and a small pistol magnum primer because all i could find when i bought primers was mags.... i had a little trouble as always getting some of the cast bullets to start into the case to seat em... seems the lee speed dies don't expand the case mouth enough on some of the cases... i used my old bair expander to get it done... i was looking into that lee universal expander die again... i might have to get one... anyone here have experience with this die?? they look like just what i might need..... i was wondering though why most of the cases took the bullets..... i always try to be careful and consistant in ALL the steps while reloading..... the bullets have all been lubrisized so i'm pretty sure the problem is with the cases....

 

[Sunray]

.38 cases need to be belled at the case mouth. Just enough to be able to sit the bullet in the case and no more. The sizing die should be set up to do this. If it's not consistently doing it, the die isn't set up properly or it's coming loose.
3.6 grains of Bullseye is the MAX load for that bullet weight. Drop back to 2.0 and work up.

 

[DWARREN123]

If loading different brands of brass then they may be slightly different lengths.

 

[ball3006]

You are going to get...

barrel leading with a load like that. As stated above, start low and work up. chris3

 

[trueblue1776]

.38 SPL + mag primers + heavy load + cast bullets =

Is your gun under warranty?

 

[tasco 74]

i.ve shot this load before..... i'm shooting them from a model 27 s&w so i'm not worried about it coming apart.......... i don't see how these are any more powerful than a .357 magnum load myself....... i go from 3.2 to 3.5 gr. of bullseye for in .38 spl cases and i haven't had any problems with over pressure......... last data i saw had 3.8 gr of bullseye for a max load....... now i'd really like to get a chance to get out and shoot some!!

 

[wally]

I agree these should be fine in a .357 magnum gun. BUT.... I don't agree to loading rounds in .38 Special cases that could be unsafe in .38 Special guns. Magnum primers and near max charges of very fast powders could be a problem in a gun designed for the 16000-18000 PSI of .38 Special loads.

--wally.

 

[tasco 74]

thanks wally... do you have any calculations of what kind pressures these loads might produce??

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I have some 158 grain Rainier's loaded with 4.5 grains of Unique, this is a good, safe, hot 38 spl load. They have some pop to them and they are very accurate. I'm also shooting these out of a 357. This is a max load listed in my Lee manual.