Pet 38 Special Target Loads for Snub Nose

[Fishingted]

Just Got my shipement of 158 CPFP 38 special Bullets from Xtreme Bullets. I have Plenty of different Powders to try. Would like to get any input on charge weights and powders that the sages here might suggest. I have Bullseye, Tite Group, CFE Pistol, Blue dot, Unique. and Red Dot available, Also Herco. Shooting a S&W Snubby Ultralight That is also Approved for +P but have No intention of using +P. Xtreme suggest an AOL of 1.44 with that Bullet. This will be my first time loading 38 special. Any Suggetions Much apprciated. Thanks.

 

[Riomouse911]

5.0 gr Unique and a 158 gr bullet is as stout as I will go with a .38 revolver (especially a small revolver), it has enough power to be pressed into service for defense but is at the upper limit of what I call “fun” recoil-wise. It’s not considered +P but it’s getting close.

4.5 gr Unique and a 158 is more “fun” and for me has been a go-to load for years. I’ll even go down to 3.5 gr bullseye with a 158 for a really soft shooter, it should chrono roughly 700 fps in a snub.

The .38 is about as easy a cartridge to load for as you can get. Just take your time, follow the steps and you’ll be making smoke on the range and holes in your targets before long .

Stay safe.

 

[wcwhitey]

No need to load heavy with an Ultralight, even moderate loads will generate some recoil. Unique, Bullseye, Titegroup and Universal are all powders commonly utilized. I see Red Dot listed a lot, but I have no personal experience with it. Read up on some of the good threads about plated bullets vs. lead and jacketed for some insight on how to treat them. Hopefully there is someone that has used that exact bullet and can call out a nice soft shooting combo. In the mean time it would not hurt to look at a few manuals or the powder manufacturers recommendations with that bullet weight. The companies have small reloading data for each caliber and powder they sell on their websites. Good luck!

 

[Average Joe]

For a nice easy target load with 158 grain bullets, I use 3.2 grains of Red Dot .

 

[wcwhitey]

I went to the manufacturers website looking for loading data, they sell a manual for all their bullets. I read the reviews, 6 people say total waste of money. I agree with one of the previous posters about Unique in 4.5 grains to 5.0. Plated fall somewhere in the middle of lead and jacketed but vary quite a bit. I would look at data which crosses over. For instance in Lyman 50th starting load for 158 Jacketed HP is 4.7 Grains of Unique, 158 SWC Lead is 4.2 - 4.7 with 5.2 being +P. It will be similar with other powders. 4.7 is a sweet soft shooting load with a lead bullet. 5.0 is my go to same as the previous poster and may be a bit stiff in the lite weight snubby. I think 4.5 - 4.7 grains of Unique would be a great starting place.

 

[Zendude]

3.0 grains of Bullseye under a 158 grain bullet is a comfortable target load in my snub.

 

[Blazer56]

+1 Another vote for 3.2 grains of Red Dot with 158 gr projectile.

 

[magyars4]

5.0 gr Unique and a 158 gr bullet is as stout as I will go with a .38 revolver (especially a small revolver), it has enough power to be pressed into service for defense but is at the upper limit of what I call “fun” recoil-wise. It’s not considered +P but it’s getting close.

4.5 gr Unique and a 158 is more “fun” and for me has been a go-to load for years. I’ll even go down to 3.5 gr bullseye with a 158 for a really soft shooter, it should chrono roughly 700 fps in a snub.

The .38 is about as easy a cartridge to load for as you can get. Just take your time, follow the steps and you’ll be making smoke on the range and holes in your targets before long .

Stay safe.

I shoot 4.6 Unique and 158

 

[FROGO207]

Yep 3.2 grains of RedDot/Promo with 158 grain bullet either lead or jacketed is a good accurate load for a snub 38 SPL.
Probably have shot many thousands of LSWC out of 38 SPL/357 pistols. Over 8 LBS promo in recent years.

 

[Walkalong]

3.5 to 4.0 Grs WST or Competition under an X-Treme plated 158 Gr SWC. Lead takes less. Don't remember about coated lead.

 

[Fishingted]

5.0 gr Unique and a 158 gr bullet is as stout as I will go with a .38 revolver (especially a small revolver), it has enough power to be pressed into service for defense but is at the upper limit of what I call “fun” recoil-wise. It’s not considered +P but it’s getting close.

4.5 gr Unique and a 158 is more “fun” and for me has been a go-to load for years. I’ll even go down to 3.5 gr bullseye with a 158 for a really soft shooter, it should chrono roughly 700 fps in a snub.

The .38 is about as easy a cartridge to load for as you can get. Just take your time, follow the steps and you’ll be making smoke on the range and holes in your targets before long .

Stay safe.

Thanks... Both Loads seem To be a Good Point for some Fun Plinking with my Little 38. I actually Enjoy shooting That Little Gun. and it is my go to carry Weapon. Specialy in the winter as it fits a Coat Pocket very Nicely.

 

[Fishingted]

Wow guys I really Appreciate all The Great Input makes deciding a load for my Little 38 a much more informed decision. I may over think things sometimes but I feel like the more info the better. Thanks again for all the great info. Now to sit down and make some Bullets.

 

[J-Bar]

I guess I am sensitive to recoil. My missus and I carry J Frame S&Ws stoked with the classic target load, 2.7 grains of Bullseye under a 158 grain LSWC bullet. Groups are delightfully small. Recoil is manageable. Everyone must make a choice. Hope you never have to test your choice in actual combat.

 

[joneb]

Not listed in your powder options but I have had good results with 4.0-4.4 gr of W-231 with 158gr plated or cast lead bullets.

 

[north east redneck]

2.8 gn of Bullseye under a 158 gn LSWC has been my target load for my 442 airwieght.

 

[hdbiker]

my go to .38 load is 3.5 grains of Bullseye under a Lee TL cast 158 grain wad cutter

 

[243winxb]

Bullseye powder is my first choice for target loads.

But have a lot of 700X from shotgun days.

 

[Enfielder]

Crimp your rounds.
Also not listed is my favorite:
8 grains of 2400.

 

[Sarge7402]

When I first got my Charter Arms back in the early '80's had more time than money and lead from the local range was free. Shot a whole lot of lyman 158 Grain SWC's ahead of 4.7 grains of unique.

There are still some of those loads from the '90's in the garage and the charter arms is still with me.

 

[Fishingted]

Going to make a Few 4.3 Grains Unique und 158 grain Xtreme plated Bullet at 1.44 oal.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

my go to .38 load is 3.5 grains of Bullseye under a Lee TL cast 158 grain wad cutter

^^^ Yup. What he said. 3.5gr Bullseye or 3.2gr Red Dot or 4.3gr Unique - but, Bullseye and Red Dot will perform a little better with that snub barrel than just about anything else - except maybe for 700X but you didn’t mention having any of that.

 

[Seymour380]

Blue Dot @ 6.0 grs. with 158 gr coated LRNFP has been a pleasant load for me. Fills the case better than Red Dot (3.0 grs.) or Bullseye (3.1 grs.) in my favorite target loads. AA#5 @ 4.9 grs. with same bullet also meters nicely and is a very consistent target load. I rely heavily on Lyman published data for starting my cast L loads. Good luck!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Blue Dot @ 6.0 grs. with 158 gr coated LRNFP has been a pleasant load for me. Fills the case better than Red Dot (3.0 grs.) or Bullseye (3.1 grs.) in my favorite target loads. AA#5 @ 4.9 grs. with same bullet also meters nicely and is a very consistent target load. I rely heavily on Lyman published data for starting my cast L loads. Good luck!

——
That looks more like a long barrel load. Blue Dot is a magnum powder, typically. It needs some barrel length to burn in. I would recommend 6gr of Blue Dot in a 6” barrel, but not a snubby.

 

[.38 Special]

I figure Bullseye is pretty much *the* powder for target loads in the .38 Special. As has been mentioned by others, 3 to 3.5 grains does the job. The single downside is that a .38 case holds enough Bullseye to make a hell of an explosion, so save the drunken handloading for Trail Boss.

 

[Fishingted]

I figure Bullseye is pretty much *the* powder for target loads in the .38 Special. As has been mentioned by others, 3 to 3.5 grains does the job. The single downside is that a .38 case holds enough Bullseye to make a hell of an explosion, so save the drunken handloading for Trail Boss.

Yea Gunpowder and Drinking don't mix for sure.