Loading some RMR Smileys in 38 Special

[TriTone]

I’m preparing to load up some RMR Smileys I ordered based on the high road love for RMR.

I’ve been googling and searching for load data and haven’t found a ton, so I figured I’d just post and ask for some opinions/experience.

I’ve only loaded lead and plated before and I have HP-38, Titegroup, and True Blue available.

I’m sure I can make a good load with HP-38, and I’m really enjoying using tite group for light/medium loads lately. I have A LOT of true blue, thanks to a sale recently at cabelas. I bought primarily for 45 colt and ACP, but is it decent for 38 also?

I’ve found a few peoples 357 loads with this bullet and these powders, but not much for 38.

I figured I’d use data for Hornady 140gr jacketed to start with.

Anyone have loads they’ve liked with any of these three powders for jacketed rounds around that weight or even that specific round? Powder pros/cons between the three, for an FMJ of 147gr weight?

 

[Cokeman]

I just ordered a bag of those. I also plan to use HP-38. I saw this talking about them.

Original CZ Forum

 

[rperyam]

I’ve loaded and used these quite a bit in .38 Special. I usually use the same loads I use with 148 grain wadcutters. My favorite is 2.8 grains of Bullseye, but I also use HP-38. I would imagine any typical load for .38 Special wadcutters will work just fine.

 

[AJC1]

Hp 38 is good for low pressure loads while true blue is better in 357 type loads in 30kpsi+ loads. It's a good powder for but not in 18kpsi loads. Powder form is important and ball likes higher pressure and good roll crimps. I'd wager a guess of 4.5 to 5 grain loads of hp38 being your huckleberry

 

[tmd16556]

I’m curious how everyone is loading these too. They look like a good option for indoor shooting.

 

[TriTone]

Thanks AJC1, appreciate the info the the true blue. I’ll put some of these smileys in some 357 loads with true blue.

And, thanks rperyam; for the 38 loads, I hadn’t thought about 148gr wadcutter data, I guess because I was focused on the jacketed aspect of these.

When I had bullseye left, I loaded hundreds of that same load, 2.8 under a 148 lubed Hornady HBWC. Sweet load.

Isn’t the jacket supposed to “increase resistance” and thus reduce velocity without adding additional powder/pressure to offset the extra friction down the barrel? Have you or anyone else noticed this? Or you’re just using your normal lead wadcutter data?

 

[Skgreen]

38 special:

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