Loads for: .223, .38spl, and .45 Auto

[Jenrick]

Howdy, the cold weather is finally here in Texas, and that means I now have leave from SWMBO to stop worrying about the lawn and reload!

So now that I have time, I'm looking for some suggestions on things to experiment with. I'm currently loading 3 rounds, and would like folks recomendations on what people have had success with.

1) Cheap .223 plinking ammo, I'd been loading match rounds for HP service rifle competition, but due to some work issues I'm not going to be doing any competing. Suggestions on plinking loads in the 55gr vein? The cheaper the better Bonus points if it's using Varget as it's what I've been using all along.

2) A light accurate .38spl target load. Wadcutter, semi-wadcutter, shoot, HP for all I care. My wife is VERY recoil sensitive, and if I can get her comfortable shooting my .38spl with a target load I can slowly work her up to a SD load, or over to another gun. So a LIGHT target style load that's accurate out to about 25-50 is what I'm looking for.

3) I just got my paws on a .45 and now need to feed it It's an H&K USP, so polygonal rifling means no lead. Any suggestions on good jacketed bullet loads for practice?

On 2 & 3 I'd much prefer using a powder that almost fills the case to prevent double charging if possible. Dirty isn't that big a deal as I've got an Ultrasonic cleaner, and a lot of spare time.

Thanks in advance guys/gals,

-Jenrick

 

[oneounceload]

For 38's, try the standard Bullseye load.....personally, I like 4 of Unique or approx 4.5 of Universal with a very hard 158 SWC - is what I shoot in a few older non-+p rated revolvers with very good accuracy from my K-frames

 

[Walkalong]

.223:

Cheap bulk bullets and cheap surplus powder is what I do for plinking/blasting ammo.

.38 Spl - Very light recoil:

Any 148 Gr HBWC and 2.5 to 3.0 Grs of Bullseye, Red Dot, Clays, American Select, etc.

.45 ACP:

On 2 & 3 I'd much prefer using a powder that almost fills the case

No such luck on #2. Well, on second thought..Trailboss may work.

#3 is no big deal. It's easy to see in the short fat case, but Unique or Universal Clays will be bulkier than many faster .45 powders and fill the case fairly well.

I like Berrys or Zero bullets in .45.

 

[jeepmor]

I like Varget where it fills the case up to the shoulder. It was still half to 3/4 of a grain below max per the load info on the jug. I shot 3/4 inch groups consistently with 55 grain 223 bullets of two or three flavors of bullets. Speer, Hornady FMJ and HP and Vmax's. All shot very well.

62.2 grains shot a 1/2 group out of my HB ruger 223 stainless laminate 24" gun. Love it.

 

[Jenrick]

Yeah 25.5 grs of Varget and a 69gr SMK would do sub 3" groups at 300yds if I did my part (which considering I'm not a HM or distinguished rifleman, meant I didn't real often ).

Thanks for the powder recommendations, think I might try out Unique and see how that works for me.

-Jenrick

 

[zxcvbob]

My favorite .38 Special target load is Berry's 125 grain HP bullet with 4.0 grains of Red Dot (and any primer.) This is not a pipsqueak load, but the recoil is pretty mild because of the light bullet. I'm trying to find a load that's as accurate using my own cast bullets but haven't quite gotten there yet.

 

[evan price]

Walkalong:
Cheap bulk bullets and cheap surplus powder is what I do for plinking/blasting ammo.

Lately, I can get new cannister powder for the same price as unknown surplus. There is no cheap surplus anymore it seems. Cheapest I see is still $95/8# + S&H & H-M


I am loading 55gr Remington JSPs in range brass with either 25 grains of H335 (a nice load) or 26 gr of Varget. I usually use H335 to load in my Pro-1000.

As for the rest, Win231/HP38 for the 38 special, and it works in .45 too.

 

[45ACPUSER]

My thoughts

1) Cheap .223 plinking ammo, I'd been loading match rounds for HP service rifle competition, but due to some work issues I'm not going to be doing any competing. Suggestions on plinking loads in the 55gr vein? The cheaper the better Bonus points if it's using Varget as it's what I've been using all along. There are better powders for easy loading like H335 with 55gr FMJ. Varget with lighter bullets takes healthy charge wts and you are almost assure to have to use a drop tube funnel to help settle the charges in the case.

2) A light accurate .38spl target load. Wadcutter, semi-wadcutter, shoot, HP for all I care. My wife is VERY recoil sensitive, and if I can get her comfortable shooting my .38spl with a target load I can slowly work her up to a SD load, or over to another gun. So a LIGHT target style load that's accurate out to about 25-50 is what I'm looking for.
Go fo the gold Standard 2.7 of Bullseye with a 146/148gr WC.

3) I just got my paws on a .45 and now need to feed it It's an H&K USP, so polygonal rifling means no lead. Any suggestions on good jacketed bullet loads for practice?
Well, I would suggest a couple things. #1 Look at Montana Gold or Precision Delta for jacket bullets. Personally I would look at 231, Titegroup works well, or Universal Clays. Berry's 185 HBRN bullets have worked well for me with TG.

 

[Walkalong]

Lately, I can get new cannister powder for the same price as unknown surplus.

Glad I bought a case (4X8lb) when I did.

There are so many good .223 powders, just buy whatever is cheapest. At the time, this surplus (SRB-118, with data) was far cheaper than commercial canister powders. I also bought some 2230-S when it was cheap. Remember the 2300, along with 2200, that hit the market real cheap? Surplus Accurate powders, as was SRB-118.

 

[SASS#23149]

for really light .38 loads,use 125 grain cast fullets over a charge of Trailboss.Many cowboy shooters use the 125's for just that reason..no recoil..and TB is a very light kicking powder.It costs a few cents more,or did,but it iwll do the job of light recoiling rounds. I say cast because they can be pushed softer and still clear the barrel.