Looking for the classic Model 10 load

Status
Not open for further replies.
BCRider

BCRider

Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2008
Messages
7,853
Location
Pacific North"Wet" Coast of Canada
I got a model 10 with 6 inch barrel a few months back. I've shot it with a range of .38 loads from some lead cowboy loads (soft) I have to some jacketed and semi jacketed .38Spl to some +P loads. None of them are shooting to point of aim. The cowboy loads sort of dribble out the barrel and shoot low. The +P is too fast and gets out the end before it's lifted far enough so it's shooting low. The jacketed .38 loads I have are close but still shooting slightly low. Only one partial box of some old stuff I had shot nicely to POA but I only had 20'ish rounds of it and no idea what the bullet weight was since it was some reloaded lead bullet stuff I bought in an ice cream bucket. And since there's no easy sight adjusting with the Model 10 I'm looking for a bullet weight and powder load that generates a nice POI that matches the POA. I just got set up for reloading .38 and .357 so I'm primed for this sort of info.

Even if you're shooting factory ammo and it's hitting tightly to the POA at around 10 to 25 yards I'd be interested in the bullet type and weight so I can use that for developing my own load.
 
Your model 10 should be regulated for 158 grain bullets. Lead ones will do perfectly at standard pressure loads with fast to moderately fast powders like W231 (a long-time accuracy champ in .38). Here's a link to Hodgdon's online load guide to show you the range for a variety of powders with the 158 gr LSWC. I'd look at trying W231 or its doppelganger, HP38, or maybe Titegroup (a very versatile powder) or Clays (if a very clean shooting load is an important part of your choice).

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
 
In the old days (I was there for a lot of them) the classic 38 Special load was the 158g RN lead bullet over 3.5g of Bullseye. Gave you 750-850 fps depending on barrel length.

Dave
 
I have a 4inch model 10 and was surprised to find that remington 130grn semi jacketed +p hollow points shoot almost exactly to point of aim at 15 yards and I can buy the 100 round bulk packs at Walmart.
 
Got a couple of Model10's and have had good results from just about every 158 standard loads I've shot. Round nose, SWC, Full Jacket- it's all good.
 
Yowza! Thanks to all of you so far. Sounds like 158 SWC in good ol' raw lead is the winner. And I've got a supplier where I can get the W231 at a small discount so that's what I was planning on starting with.

I'm probably going to try to pick up some of those HBWC's in 148 and try a hundred or so to see how they work out as well. It's good to have options.

I like to shoot at the indoor range over the winter. I've found I dislike the taste shooting with unjacketed lead leaves behind. Any suggestions on a jacketed or at least semi jacketed bullet and should the bullet weight change?
 
Lead ones will do perfectly at standard pressure loads with fast to moderately fast powders like W231....
Click to expand...

Yup. It's a great powder.

I use 4 gr of W231/HP-38 with 148 gr LHBWCs. It hits right on and it's got some power. Thus, I can practice with the same load I use in my house gun. For defense, the wadcutter is a guaranteed core sample removal. It leaves perfect, open round holes in paper (wet or dry,) wood and everything else I've shot with it.

This load can also be lightened quite a bit if you're only into target use.
 
Last edited:
No suggestions for jacketed rounds? Hmmmm... I may try some but it sounds like I may just keep it for outdoor shooting in the good seasons and stick with the 19 and 28 for indoors over the winter.
 
Sure, you can use jacketed bullets--158 grainers should shoot to the same POI as lead bullets of the same weight at comparable velocities. You just asked for 'classic' model 10 loads--and those are decidedly lead.
 
Last edited:
Ah, thanks. I guess I was wondering if the jacket would make the bullet lag a bit or pop out sooner. Of course as long as the bullet weight is right then it's just a case of fine tuning the powder charge to achieve the same muzzle velocity to get the same recoil and thus POI.
 
Exactly. Same weight + same velocity = same POI. You do have to get to higher pressure (i.e. a slightly higher powder weight) with jackets to achieve the same velocity, but if you're shooting standard .38 loads it's not like the difference is going to push you to the edge of the envelope or anything.
 
Maybe I'm repeating others, but IMO, any 158 Gr lead bullet (RN, SWC, TC-FP) atop of 4.0 to 4.3 Gr of W-231 should give the results you're after.
 
Model 10 Loads

Hi ,

My favorite load in my Smith and Colt Revolvers...
Berrys Plated HBWC 148 grain over 3.0 Grains of Bullseye or 3.4 grains of American Select.
I have just recently got my lead level checked and am at 23, max is 10 for an adult
so no more lead at indoor ranges for me!!!
 
An update on the results. I recently got my CCI primers, a lb of W231 and a box of 500 158gr RNFP lead bullets. I loaded up a batch of 50 over 3.5 gr's of the W231 and for giggles 20 with the next size measure up to give 3.8gr. The idea was to see how close going .1gr over the maximum would compare to shooting +P using my Model 19. As it turned out the 3.8gr load was no where near the +P I've shot and instead just felt like a nice .38Spl loading.

The 3.5gr load (middle of the velocity range accoring to Hogdon) was actually grouping about 3/4 to 1 inch high at 12'ish yards. Dropping the powder down a point or two would likely bring the POI to the POA.

However the 3.8gr load proved to be just that little bit faster and got out the end that little bit sooner. This had the bullets hitting nicely in a tight group on and equally around the bullseye. It was also pleasant to shoot with a bit of a lively feel that, as mentioned, wasn't in any way outside of what I'd already felt with a lot of other .38 loadings.

So for this particular bullet and primer the 3.8gr is my load of choice. And this will do nicely for my Cowboy Action lever gun as well. Now I just need to find a big box of 148 to 158gr jacketed bulelts for the indoor shooting season to come.
 
Now I just need to find a big box of 148 to 158gr jacketed bulelts for the indoor shooting season to come.
Click to expand...

Check out Berry's plated bullets. Lots of great reviews, cheaper than jacketed, and free shipping on orders over $50.

Doesn't look like they offer a 158gr SWC, but they do offer one in a RN, which, over 4.2 gr W-231, is very accurate from my 4" 686. They even offer a plated 148gr HBWC, which I've never seen before. Been meaning to order some of those; they'd be great for indoor target work.

http://www.berrysmfg.com
 
I use Winchester brass, CCI Small Pistol Magnum Primers, 3.7 gr titegroup with Magnus 051-511 lead cast bullets.
 
I'm keeping track of all these loads and will continue to check for any further posts. Thanks for sharing your "recipes". It's stuff like this that makes this a great sport and in particular THR a great community.

MrBorland, being north of the 49th means I can't order bullets or a lot of other gun related items from US dealers without a huge amount of costly paperwork. But I've looked at their site and I'll see if I can find something equivalent up this way. Thanks
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

E
  • Locked
Recommend a load to make my M&P shoot to POA
Replies
5
Views
425
Hutch
H
S
  • Locked
Best Defense Ammo Choice for Older J-Frame 38 Spl
Replies
19
Views
3K
Sharpie1
S
B
  • Locked
ruger 1972 old model single six
Replies
5
Views
820
butcherboy
B
S
  • Locked
Speer Gold Dot .38 Special 135gr+P JHP
Replies
2
Views
809
SAWBONES
S
H
  • Locked
Model 10 Fun
Replies
12
Views
590
flightsimmer
flightsimmer
Back
Top