Need to duplicate...38spl target load

[Bearhands]

I have always used a 148 gr DEWC over 2.8gr of Bullseye and it has worked perfectly.... Unfortunately, I am having a tough time finding those bullets.
I have a bunch of nice 158gr. LSWC's and would love your opinion on how much powder (Bullseye or Unique) to use in order to kinda duplicate the 148/2.8 load.
(S&W Mod 14 6")
Thanks for your opinions.

BH

 

[LoneGoose]

I just finished loading a batch of 158 gr. SWCs using 2.9 gr. of TiteGroup. I seated the bullets just under flush so that the case mouth is crimped over the top edge. Although my loading manual says to use more powder for the 158s, I used the weight listed for 148s because of the greater seating depth (deeper than listed for that bullet). My logic was "less case volume = more pressure). What I got is a mild and accurate target load.

I know this doesn't answer your question, but I hope that what I learned will help if you have to work up your own load.

 

[Catpop]

I use 3.5 RD under a 158 gr lswc and 3.0 universal under same for my wussy cat loads in my m60.

 

[243winxb]

38 special

3.3 gr of Bullseye is my cast 158 style lswc loading , that weights 162gr. You should be fine at 3.0 grs , if using a swaged bullet.

 

[Slamfire]

I don't know if you can safely push a 158 lead as slow as a 148 LWC and not get the thing stuck in the barrel. Because I test these pistol loads in half grain increments, and 3.5 grains Bullseye worked so well in so many revolvers, by and large that is the powder charge I use. There are some funnies with barrel length, my 148 grain load is going the same velocity average as the 158 grain load in a 2 inch barrel, but once the barrel length gets above that length, the two loads differ significantly by velocity.

[SIZE="3"][B]S&W M638-3 Airweight Bodyguard  [/B]		
					
148 LWC Lead 2.7 grs Bullseye thrown Mixed Brass WSP	
18-Mar-07 T = 52 °F	
				
Ave Vel =611.6		 		
Std Dev =22.04		 		
ES	75.92		 		 
High	648.1		 		 
Low	572.2		 		
N =	25				
little high					
					
158 LSWC 3.5 grs Bullseye Mixed brass WSP		
18-Mar-07 T = 52 °F
					
Ave Vel =611.1		 		
Std Dev =9.64		 		
ES	28.05		 		
High	626.3		 		 
Low	598.3		 		
N =	32				
4-6" High accurate					

[ATTACH=full]744174[/ATTACH]


[B]4" S&W M10-5 [/B]				
					
148 LWC Valiant  2.7grs Bullseye W/W cases WSP 		
19-Apr-09	T ≈  60-65 ° F				
					
Ave Vel =696.2	 			
Std Dev =12.04	 			
ES =	48	 			
High  =	721.3	 			
Low  =	673.3	 			
N =	32	 			

v accurate, about 2" low, no leading, mild recoil	
					
158 LRN Valiant  3.5grs Bullseye Mixed cases WSP 		
19-Apr-09	T ≈  60-65 ° F				
					
Ave Vel =758	 			
Std Dev =22.86	 			
ES =	100.9	 			
High  =	810.5	 			
Low  =	709.5	 			
N =	32	 			
					


[ATTACH=full]744175[/ATTACH]


[B]Colt Python  Stainless Steel, 6" Barrel	[/B]		
					
148 gr LBBWC 2.7 grs Bullseye  38 SPL cases  CCI500  24 Sept 1999  T =  78  F
Ave Vel =710		 	 	 
Std Dev =18		 	 	 
ES	72.02		 	 	 
High	746.1		 	 	 
Low	674		 	 	 
N =	33	

shot fine at 25 yards, no leading, light recoil
					
158 gr LRN  3.5 grs Bullseye 38 SPL cases CCI500  24-Sep-99  T = 78  F

Ave Vel =  771		
Std Dev =12			 	
ES	35.9			 
High	792.6			 
Low	756.7			 
N =	6	

[ATTACH=full]744176[/ATTACH][/SIZE]

 

[pittpa]

What end of PA are you at? They are easy to get here in the west.

 

[rsrocket1]

You can shoot a 158g RN hardcast bullet out of a 4" revolver with just a primer. I did that accidentally and chronographed the speed at 231 fps! The bullet was not crimped (there is no reason to crimp light loads).

To get a semi clean burn with a low velocity load, you want the fastest powder possible. 2.5-3.0 grains of one of the following would be a good candidate:
Titewad
Clays
Clay Dot
Red Dot/Promo
Extra Lite
e3
Nitro 100
WST
N310
Trail Boss

Bullseye is always listed way up there in burn rate, but the problem is that it actually behaves closer to Unique than Red Dot. Just look at all the load data when you compare pressures and MV's. The super quickness of ignition is because of the high nitroglycerin content, but the rest of the powder burns slowly which is good for not building up peak pressure too quickly. You'll also notice that it burns very dirty at low charges/pressures with lots of unburned flakes and sparks flying out. That's the rest of the powder that didn't get consumed.

In a revolver, you don't have to worry about the action cycling, but you do suffer from lots of junk getting spit out from the cylinder gap. With low recoil rounds, just make sure each bullet exits the muzzle. There is a pretty drastic difference in feeling between a low velocity bullet exiting and a stuck bullet.

 

[BullRunBear]

I have trouble finding any cast bullets locally. Have you tried ordering from Missouri Bullets? They have plenty of 148 gr. DEWCs available. I usually get 1,000 at a time but I load A LOT of 38 special WCs. It's one of my favorite rounds.

Jeff

 

[X-Ring]

I have been loading 3.6g BE under a 158g SWC for a long time. I can't find a better load in my 4 inch S&W Mod 64.

 

[USSR]

I have always used a 148 gr DEWC over 2.8gr of Bullseye and it has worked perfectly.... Unfortunately, I am having a tough time finding those bullets.

So, cast your own and never run out.

Don

 

[Bearhands]

Folks, thanks much for the suggestions and solutions... I think i'll start @ 3.2gr of bullseye and see where that takes me. I would have tried ordering some online, but I'm a bit time limited and I have these really nice SWC's and want to give them a try. Next time, I'll pay more attention to my supply of DEWC's! Keep those suggestions comin'!

BH

 

[GooseGestapo]

Because of the shorter bore contact surface of the 158gr RN or SWC, you don't have to worry about the bullets sticking in the bore using 148gr WC powder charges.
Just use the same charge you use with the wad cutters. I've gone as low as 1.8gr and not stuck bullets. They will occasionally stick at 1.5! BTDT. However, I've won matches at the PPC nationals and shot several National records with your 3.2 gr of Bullseye over a swaged or cast SWC. It's a good load! Duplicates most factory 158gr loads. 3.6 is a good +P load.

If you are shooting bullets out with just a primer, your bullets are SERIOUSLY under sized.

 

[Bearhands]

GooseG, that is MUSIC to my ears!... thanks much for some confidence!

BH

 

[bluetopper]

You can find all the 148gr DEWC you need on gunbroker.com

 

[Vern Humphrey]

You can also buy a 6-cavity gang mould cheap from Lee, make friends with your local tire dealer, and cast all the DEWCs you want for mere pennies.