Just picked up a 38 for my wife

[grubbylabs]

I am looking for a light recoil load for her to shoot.

I have lots of unique and WSF, and I just picked up a pound of trail boss.

I have a mold that drops about a 130 grain bullet and would not mind getting a new mold just for her gun.

Any suggestions are welcome as I am new to the 38.
The gun is a Smith and Wesson 5 shot revolver. I don't remember for sure which model it is as I was not picking it out, my wife was. But I think it is the 442.

 

[rchery59]

Can't beat a 148gr wadcutter. You can load it down to powderpuff levels. My pet is 3.2 or 3.5gr of 231 with a hollow base WC. you can load it way less than that. At 3.2 it's real soft. I've heard of guys loading down to 2.2gr. I'm sure you can work up a softy for your 130gr bullet without a problem too.
Of the powders you listed I only have experience with Unique. It does not meter well for me in small doses so I stay away from it. For the 38 I stick with 231 or universal.

 

[WestKentucky]

I load 3 gr 231 under a 128 gr Keith. No recoil, and very accurate. Works on a deer, should work on a bad guy.

 

[Walkalong]

I have lots of unique and WSF, and I just picked up a pound of trail boss.

Use the Trail Boss for those light loads.

I used to load lead 148 gr WCs for my wife's 442 using W231 years ago. Hard to beat for light accurate loads.

Unique will work, but faster powders are a better choice for really light loads. I wouldn't think to try the WSF myself. A bit slow and not as forgiving of downloading as Unique, IMO.

 

[grubbylabs]

I am currently looking over the custom mold maker web sites looking for something appealing.

Like a SWCHP but they all seem kinda heavy. And I am not finding much data for the weights offered. Hornady has a good selection of 158 grain data but it's hard to find something within about 5grains.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

158gr LSWC and 3.2gr of Red Dot. Shoots excellent in every revolver I've put it through. It's also has very light recoil.

 

[788Ham]

I shoot 158g. SWC in 3 different .38's I have, I use Win 231 powder, 4.0g, about 775 fps, a light, accurate load.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I also use a lot of W231 but since you have none and you do have Trail Boss that's what I would use in your case. You should be fine with that 130gr bullet and Trail Boss...

I carry a M442 daily and I'm sure she will like that revolver. Just remember, it's not meant for extensive range work, I do more dry fire practice with it than live ammo fire.

 

[germ]

Remember that POI will likely be lower with a bullet significantly lighter than 158. This is the case with my 642. She may not appreciate the mismatch of POA vs POI.

 

[roval]

Wouldn't the point of impact be higher with a ligher bullet. My wife's new 38 charter undercover shoots about 6 inches low at 10 yards with 130 American eagle .wonder if that's the issue

 

[Jesse Heywood]

158 gr is a good weight. Just be sure to get the right bullets. They need to be husband resistant.

 

[luzyfuerza]

My 442 puts a 125 grain LRN downrange at 656 fps with 3.1 grains of Bullseye. Recoil is very soft.

The same load chronograhs at 630 fps from a 4" model 28. Feels like .22lr from that big N frame.

 

[germ]

Wouldn't the point of impact be higher with a ligher bullet. My wife's new 38 charter undercover shoots about 6 inches low at 10 yards with 130 American eagle .wonder if that's the issue

No. The prevailing theory is that the heavier (slower moving) bullet is in the barrel a gazillionth of a second longer, being affected by recoil and the rising muzzle, thus causing the bullet to impact higher. That's not the best explanation you'll come across, but that's the gist of it.

Try the Charter with 158's, if it still hits low you may have a sight issue.

 

[grubbylabs]

So what are your favorite powders for 38. Say your top two and why?


Now I just need to con blarby out of some 38 brass he is peddling on the trading sub forum and I will be set. I am sure I could find him a bit coin or two or even a small child.

 

[germ]

About 3.0 or 3.1 of Bullseye or Titegroup under a NOE 155 WC. I had made a number of workup loads in both powders and let my wife choose. She settled on TG, I didn't argue with her. This is for her 4" 686 which is fairly hefty though. If she were to shoot the 642 I would probably go to 2.7 or 2.8 for her practice rounds. They're both surprisingly accurate, soft shooting and quite inexpensive to use due to the low charge. Just make certain to put an eyeball on EVERY case before placing the bullet.

 

[stavman11]

I really Like w231 4.6gr and a 158gr SWC... may be a bit Hot for a Snubby but I really Like this Round Alot

 

[Flashkayak]

I'm a new reloader so here's . I bought a s&w 642 which is all I'm reloading.I bought a complete reloading outfit from a neighbor. It included 3 1/2 lbs. of wsf. could'nt find any info for 38 sp.loads. Talked to a guy that does a lot of competition, and he suggested I try 3.2 g wsf behind 148g hbwc which was also part of the package. worked good and was fairly mild to shoot. Then I found the complete reloading manual for the 38 special at cabelas for about $7. In the Speer section it has loads for wsf ,and some specificly for short 2" barrels.
I also had the action smoothed and polished, and the trigger pull brought dawn to 8 1/2 lbs. makes a world of difference.

 

[PJSprog]

I like 4.5 gr of HP-38 under a 125 gr XTP, very light crimp.

 

[BSA1]

Another vote for 4.0 gr. of W-231 and 158 gr. SWC.

Last weekend my wife shot 100 rounds of this reload in her Police Positive Special. She then shot some Hornady 110 gr. FTX Critical Defense 38+P's. I was watching and her gun had the same amount of recoil, hit the same point of aim and impact. My wife commented the load felt the same as my reloads. We believe this is a very good reload and factory S.D. combination.

 

[Stormin.40]

My wife hates my 642 but loves the 4" 586. I have 125gr LRNFP loaded on top of Trail boss for her to shoot.

I recommend using the 130s you have and the Trial boss. You will probably get a lower POI as the 442/642 are set using 158gr bullets.

 

[grubbylabs]

Well we made it out today to shoot her 38. I fired off some of the factory 125's. I think they would have been a bit much for her in that light revolver, but the 3.4 grains of trail boss under that 135 sure felt nice and she liked it. So I guess we will stick with that.

I will have to order another sizing die, right now I size them for my 9mm(.357) and surprisingly they did not lead the barrel, but I will feel better if they are a little fatter.

 

[OH_Spartan]

I have not found a 158 grn load light enough for my wife. Her favorite is 2.5 grn clays behind 125 grn rnfp but she also shoots 2.3 grn red dot behind a 148 wc

 

[VrockTDSaz]

96 grn cast, over 3.5 grains of Trailboss. Out of a polymer Ruger LCR it feels like a .22 magnum.