Light 38 load for a snub

[brewer12345]

I have a Taurus 85 in the light weight version that I want to shoot more often than I do, but I find recoil to be a bit much for longer range sessions with my usual loads (3.8 grains HP38 under a 148 grain DEWC and a 158 grain RNFP over 3.8 to 4 grains of HP38). I have fooled around with HBWCs and 3.2 grains of HP38 and they are OK, but not quite there. I have more of the HBWCs and have cast up a pile of 133 grain RNFPs. I am planning on trying out the 133s with HP38 (3.8, 4.0, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6 grains) and Trail Boss (3.2, 3.4 and 3.6 grains). Any other suggestions with this one?

The HBWCs I am on the fence with. I could further drop my HP38 charge to 3 grains and see how that works. I could also try a Trail Boss load (thinking 2.2 grains). POI with both the DEWCs and HBWCs is a fair bit higher than POA with the HP38 loads I have been using. I am wondering if the Trail Boss load might bring the POI closer to where I am aiming. Thoughts?

 

[kcofohio]

I bought some 105 gr. bullets from Missouri Bullet, and found using HP-38 (I don't remember the charge off hand) I found them to be pleasant, for what pleasant is with a M-85 lite, for plinking.

 

[243winxb]

bring the POI closer to where I am aiming.

Velocity changes this. Faster lighter bullets will bring bullet impact down/lower.

3.1 gr of HP-38 Is the lightest charge i can find. 140 to 158 gr lead.

Bullseye or 700X is what i use for lite loads.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?media/s-w-337pd-and-m60.1356/

 

[LNK]

3 grains of bullseye behind a dewc either hb or solid makes a very mild load.

 

[brewer12345]

3 grains of bullseye behind a dewc either hb or solid makes a very mild load.

Eh, I really do not want to add more powders to the stable. Everyone seems to trade off bullseye with HP38 anyway, and since the latter is the bee's knees in my DEWC load (mostly shot from a heavy service 357 revolver from the 70s) that I shoot the most I really want to figure out a snub load with it or trail boss. I have Unique and a little Universal on hand, but I can't see how they would fit the application too well.

 

[vaalpens]

I have a Ruger 357mag SP101 so there is not much recoil with lighter 38spl loads. This is the lightest load I have tested:

38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: Federal
COL: 1.210"
MBC, 148gr, B12HTDEWC, 700X, 2.2gr, WSP
Average: 524
ES: 19
SD: 7.5
Force: 90
PF: 77
Velocities: 512, 528, 531, 528, 524
Grouping @ 10yd: 1.56"
Test Date: 04/16/2016

The load I load the most and enjoy shooting is the following load. The POI is lower than POA, but when I shoot quick follow-up rounds, then my POI is closer to POA. Probably just the way I see the sights for follow-up shots. To me this is mild, but in your gun it could be different.

38spl, SP101, 3"
Case: MIX
COL: 1.447"
ACME, 125gr, FPHTC, 700X, 4gr, WSP
Average: 828
ES: 74
SD: 26.6
Force: 190
PF: 103
Velocities: 796, 870, 823, 824, 828
Grouping @ 7yd: 0.54"
Test Date: 02/11/2018

 

[LNK]

Sorry about that. Here's something i found somewhere else. As always, be careful.

Recently tried to see "how low can I go" with the same 6 inch S&W. Went too far. Started with 3.3 grains of 231 and went down in 0.3 grain increments. when I tried 2.1 grains and 1.8 grains they sounded like, and recoiled like, a .22 LR. Made the mistake of trying 1.5 grains and stuck a bullet in the barrell. So would not go below 2.1 grains. Probably would say 2.4 grains is least I would load under any circumstances.

 

[greg_r]

I can not remember the charge weights, but I shoot cast 158 grain round nose pushed by a maximum load of Trail Boss in my Ruger LCRX. Very pleasant and accurate load.

 

[243winxb]

Moving bullet impact lower , while reducing recoil ,one is working against the other. High velocity = lower bullet impact.

The 133 gr has the best chance of doing this.

 

[brewer12345]

Moving bullet impact lower , while reducing recoil ,one is working against the other. High velocity = lower bullet impact.

The 133 gr has the best chance of doing this.

Gotcha. Well, I will try the 133 and the HBWC and see what I get. I want to try the Trail Boss wadcutter just for giggles simply because the published velocities from an 8 inch barrel are 5XX FPS. In a snub I ought to be able to just about see them in the air...

 

[mdi]

Some things you just can't get round and recoil is one of them, especially in a light revolver. I too suggest minimal loads under a 148-150 gr wadcutter over 3.0-3.5 gr of W231. While I don't load light I use a 125gr RNFP (Lee) in my 38 Specials, and that might easier on your hand. There are other things to do to reduce recoil like wearing a shooting glove and replacing the stocks with larger softer stocks (or go to a 22 lr)...

 

[Stumper]

In former times most .38 Spls were regulated for 148-158 grain bullets. More recently many are regulated for 125gr bullets. Changing velocity does shift POI....but not much. Faster muzzle velocity also causes faster recoil velocity. Since the bore is above the pivot point of a normal grip it winds up that angle of departure tends to be near the same with any given bullet weight at the possible velocities. A bit of an exception may creep in since powder puff loads can encourage a loose grip and get slightly higher POI but the easiest way to shift vertical impact is a change of projectile weight. I have found mild loads using 135 grain cast bullets have yielded usable POI in both older guns regulated for 158s and newer renditions. It splits the difference and the lighter weight lowers recoil. Even milder are light loads (like 3gr 231) under a 110gr button nose wadcutter which hits "close enough" in guns regulated for 125s.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My two favorite .38 Special loads are a 148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231/HP-38 and a 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231/HP-38.

When I load a 148gr HBWC I drop the charge to 3.2gr but you said you don't like that load.

 

[Curator]

2.8 grains of Bullseye and the Lee 358-148 WC bullet cast from 50/50 COWW alloyed with pure lead and air-cooled. Lube with LLA, and seat to leave 0.10" of bullet exposed. This will give about 710-750 fps in the typical S&W or Colt snubby. Gentle on recoil, accurate, fun to shoot, lethal. What's not to like?

 

[bikerdoc]

The wife likes PMC 132 gr for her snub

My next project is to try a replicate this load for her.

 

[brewer12345]

My two favorite .38 Special loads are a 148gr DEWC over 3.4gr W231/HP-38 and a 158gr LSWC over 4.0gr W231/HP-38.

When I load a 148gr HBWC I drop the charge to 3.2gr but you said you don't like that load.

The hbwc load is ok, but I wonder if I could do better. One way to find out. Oddly the 357 does better with the dewcs.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The hbwc load is ok, but I wonder if I could do better. One way to find out. Oddly the 357 does better with the dewcs.

We should always try to do better. That load workers for my revolvers, your revolvers might like something different.

 

[brewer12345]

Well, I have my new hbwc load. 2.2 grains of trail boss was perfect. Mild recoil, good accuracy and shot to point of aim in the snub.

Didn't find a great load for the 133 grain rnfp. Think I will try it in the lever since I mostly shoot wadcutters in my revolvers.

 

[Jonesy814]

I shoot a 125gr Xtreme plated bullet loaded over 3.4 grains of Titegroup in my Air weight J frame. They are a mild recoiling load and I have no problem shooting 100 or more in a range session. The same charge of 3.4 grains also works well for a plated 158 grain bullet with only slightly more recoil

 

[SARuger]

125g SWC over Trail Boss, do your own work up but 3.8g works good