Light 38 LWC loads with hp38
- Thread starter smovlov
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Jesse Heywood
Member
With 148 gr. wadcutter I have excellent results with 3.1 gr W-231, same powder as HP-38.
Lee shows 2.9 gr at 686 fps, Waters Pet Loads 3.0 gr at 683 fps. Watch that the bullets leave the barrel.
Lee shows 2.9 gr at 686 fps, Waters Pet Loads 3.0 gr at 683 fps. Watch that the bullets leave the barrel.
Yep a guy at my range uses below starting loads. I was watching him and could see the bullet arc out of the barrel. His gun was filthy dirty. In the other thread about squib loads, well he was one I fixed for him
I am in no way a max load user but below start loads can be even more dangerous and degrade accuracy so I see no point in them. JMO
Lyman CAST gives a start load of 3.5 gr HP38/Win231
788Ham
Member
Using 4.0g of Win 231 in my .38's, 158g SWC, about 765 fps, good solid target load. Accurate also.
mahansm
Member
I've found that 3.0 of 231/HP38 in my 686 6" with a 148 DEWC is a nice mousefart load.
Quite accurate at 30 feet; no problems noted to date with leading/smoke/squibs.
Quite accurate at 30 feet; no problems noted to date with leading/smoke/squibs.
[QUOTE #2
You will get "Old Smokey" Smoke, dirty, poor performance eventually a squib.
][/QUOTE]
Nope, I load 3.2 of hp38/231 with a 148 wadcutter all the time. Would not call it clean but it won't be a squib. Soft and accurate. I've done it. Also done below starting loads with other powders too. you will like them.
Again, not poor performance and not squibs. Out of a model 27 8 3/8barrel.
You will get "Old Smokey" Smoke, dirty, poor performance eventually a squib.
][/QUOTE]
Nope, I load 3.2 of hp38/231 with a 148 wadcutter all the time. Would not call it clean but it won't be a squib. Soft and accurate. I've done it. Also done below starting loads with other powders too. you will like them.
Again, not poor performance and not squibs. Out of a model 27 8 3/8barrel.
kitsapshooter
Member
I made a light load with 3.1 grains of hp-38 from a 2 inch model 12. shot great.
Nope, I load 3.2 of hp38/231 with a 148 wadcutter all the time. Would not call it clean but it won't be a squib. Soft and accurate. I've done it. Also done below starting loads with other powders too. you will like them.
Again, not poor performance and not squibs. Out of a model 27 8 3/8barrel.[/QUOTE]
What is the advantage of 3.2 gr vs 3.5 assuming the OP can even weigh that difference?
Hodgons starting load data is 3.5gr but you can go lower than that without any worry of a squib. This is what I load.
The advantage? Well that is subjective. If you like soft and accurate loads I guess that is an advantage.
His question was for a "really light" load with HP38. Myself and others told of our "experience" with this.
forestswin
Member
smovlov
If you really want to go low - with very low recoil, by the book, - try swaged (soft lead) 148 grain hollow base wad cutters. Hornady, Zero and several others make them.
Hornady starting load is 2.2 grains of WIN231/HP38 for 550 fps and goes up to 3.5 grains at 800 fps for their bullet. You shoot the DEWC and get the HBWC for the recoil sensitive someone
don't let your goals steer you away from safe practices
If you really want to go low - with very low recoil, by the book, - try swaged (soft lead) 148 grain hollow base wad cutters. Hornady, Zero and several others make them.
Hornady starting load is 2.2 grains of WIN231/HP38 for 550 fps and goes up to 3.5 grains at 800 fps for their bullet. You shoot the DEWC and get the HBWC for the recoil sensitive someone
don't let your goals steer you away from safe practices
Last edited:
gonoles_1980
Member
How long is your barrel?
Thanks for the reminder. Ill probably pick up some HBWC if I want to stick with the light load. Its for the misses. Shes been to the range but is gun shy. I figured it would be good to have them on hand in case she wanted to give it a shot (pun intended). Wouldn't want her first experience to be a bad one.
gonoles, 4" Model 19
GooseGestapo
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Original poster didn't specify weight or style of lead wadcutter.
There is a BIG difference between Hollow base and Solid or Double End wadcutters.
I use 2.9gr with a HOLLOW BASE for ~710fps. With a DE or Solid base wadcutter, use 3.1gr for ~680fps. (6"bbl)
Although several commercial mfg's use the above loads, consider them minimum.
I've shot 240-12 to 14x on the 50yd stage of NRA PPC with the 2.9gr/HB loads. They are the 'go-to' standard for target shooters.
But, the hollow-base wc takes up more case volumn than a solid base design.
There is a BIG difference between Hollow base and Solid or Double End wadcutters.
I use 2.9gr with a HOLLOW BASE for ~710fps. With a DE or Solid base wadcutter, use 3.1gr for ~680fps. (6"bbl)
Although several commercial mfg's use the above loads, consider them minimum.
I've shot 240-12 to 14x on the 50yd stage of NRA PPC with the 2.9gr/HB loads. They are the 'go-to' standard for target shooters.
But, the hollow-base wc takes up more case volumn than a solid base design.
anothernewb
Member
I've used 231/hp38 for low level wadcutters in the neighborhood of 3 grains in the past. Like others have discovered - after shooting a few I could probably sweep up the area in front of my station and have enough unburned powder to load a few more.
However, after discovering Trail Boss - I find it to be perfect for the slow loads. 2.3 grains under a 148 HBWC gives me ~660fps out of a 6" GP100. fantastically clean too.
However, after discovering Trail Boss - I find it to be perfect for the slow loads. 2.3 grains under a 148 HBWC gives me ~660fps out of a 6" GP100. fantastically clean too.
forestswin
Member
he added 148 gr DEWC by Missouri Bullet Co. - see post #4
forestswin
Member
duplicate - sorry
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