I have taper dies from Hornady and load .38 Special and .357 mag. S&W Model 10 and .357 Colt Trooper and have no trouble at all with taper crimp my loads. Lead Lee hand cast 158 swc, Speer 148 wc and Hornady XTP . They work great. I've loaded a variety powders from plinkers, to target, to full mag. loads with out any problem. As you gain experience, you will find out tricks to case flare, etc. It's best to start out with one size bullet to develop the proper case flare, standard bullet seating and a middle of the road powder load. If possible, stick with one mfg. cases and and don't get frustrated if you damage a few cases along the way. Be sure to check cylinder sizing or get a go, no go gauge too.
Reloading 38 Special
- Thread starter blackd24
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rfwobbly
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You amateurs step aside !! 
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blackd24
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If i plan on using bullseye and setting up a turret on the LCT, would you recommend the auto disk or auto drum? I have the auto drum for my 9mm set up and have no issues with it. I also have 4 of the extra drums, which is less important for lower volume, 1 powder reloading I plan to do for 38 special. I do own the auto disk for my 223 set up, so I'm familiar with the differences. Just wanted to see if 1 of the two likes bullseye better, or if the autodisk doesn't have a good capacity for 3.2-3.5 grains of bullseye?
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blackd24
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So I went with the Lee auto disk and it showed up today in the mail. Naturally, i had to get it set up. Lee did not have data for Bullseye (as far as which disk to use) so i experimented a little bit and landed on .37cc throwing very consistent 3.3 grain charges. But wow, it barely fills the case at all. I'm so used to looking into my 9mm case and easily verifying before adding the bullet and seating it. I checked the weight of the bullseye charge on my beam scale and digital scale. I just couldn't believe it only fills 1/4 of the case. Bullets are scheduled for delivery tomorrow, will report back once I get a few loaded up.
Blue68f100
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Looks good but may be a little heavy for a 38 spl. More of what I use on my Mag revolvers when I want full powder,
WeekendReloader
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Looks good to me. The rim is tucked in just right so the bullet can't get set back.
Bhennessee1
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What is that?
rfwobbly
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It's a Dan Wesson Model 15-2 from about 1980 fitted with an 8" slab-side barrel.
It really deserves a better photo. It is truly an exquisite gun.
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bullseye308
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rperyam
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bullseye308
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my bad, fatfingered the number and didn’t catch it. Thanks, I corrected it. It is a Model 67 no dash.
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blackd24
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Well I finally got it out to the range.. I loaded with 3.3 grains of bullseye. My first shot - I had to make sure it left the barrel! It was a very soft shooter. I may consider increasing the charge to 3.5 or 3.6. Shooting 38 special through a very heavy 357 mag revolver is very easy on the wrists.
Crazy Horse
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I used 3.3 grains of trightgroup. Very light load on a 38 with a barrel 3 inches of longer. If you have a lightweight snub nose 38 you'll still feel it a bit. For my longer barrel 38's I normally load TG at 3.5 grains. Recoil is much better and doesn't leave you wondering if the bullet cleared the barrel.
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