What is your most accurate .38 Special load?

[Russ57]

Remington used to offer a great HBWC. The S&W 52 loved them. Nasty lube though When we couldn't get them anymore we moved to the Zero brand HBWC.

The only 38's we are shooting targets with now are Colt OMM's and they need a .359". Currently trying out Brazo's BNWC. They will hold the X ring at 25 yards.

I like BE best but 231, WST, and 700X have all made acceptable loads.

 

[teerex.otw]

This is a little unusual, but has worked well for me for many years.
148 hbwc seated flush, moderate crimp
2.7 gr. Red Dot
Win. cases
CCI 500 primer
This load gives good to very good accuracy in every .38/.357 revolver I’ve tried it in.

 

[someguy2800]

Berry's 125 grain flat point over 4 grains of 700x. I don't have a group saved but shoots like a silver dollar size group at 10 yards from the bench and about a 4" group offhand at 25 yards. I have tried hollowbase wad cutters but I can't tell the difference in accuracy shooting offhand so I went back to flat nose.

 

[styles]

AA No 2 is "accurate" for me in 4.0 gr with 158gr LSWC

 

[PapaG]

Lyman's discontinued mould #358432
or
NOE's recreation - NOE 360-160-WC PB

This is an Ogival Wadcutter design ... if you have never tried it you will be amazed at the accuracy .
Try from 2.5 grs. (start ) to 4.0 grs. (max.) of Bullseye . Cast soft 9.0 bhn and sized .357"- .358" .
My pet load is 2.7 grs Bullseye . 15 shots will go into 1 3/8 " dia. one ragged hole ...
the bullets try to touch each other ... 25 yards .
An old Ideal 1-cavity mould opened my eye's to the accuracy potential and when NOE advertised they make this mould... I ordered a 4 cavity so fast it made my head spin !
This is about the only 38 bullet I cast anymore ... Flat nose hits hard , 160 gr. weight is ideal ...
Trust me it's a winner ... sorry no photo's ...I'm old and no camera see them at
www.noebulletmoulds.com
Gary

I have not found a gun that wouldn’t group well with 358432. Second mould we bought back in 1955 or ‘56

 

[gwpercle]

I have not found a gun that wouldn’t group well with 358432. Second mould we bought back in 1955 or ‘56

The younger reloaders should heed what you and I are telling them ...
I'm not a U-Tube Expert but have been casting , reloading and competing in NRA Match Bullseye shooting for 50 years ... I chased the 38 special Most Accurate load for years ... and this bullet will do it in just about every revolver and even lever action rifles !
Thanks for the back up ,
Gary

 

[TfflHndn]

125 grain lead SWC with 2.7 grains of Clays, 1.440" oal. Runs about 800 fps from a 5" barrel.

 

[Remington1911]

Rifle or hand gun, there is a difference.

 

[barnfrog]

The younger reloaders should heed what you and I are telling them ...
I'm not a U-Tube Expert but have been casting , reloading and competing in NRA Match Bullseye shooting for 50 years ... I chased the 38 special Most Accurate load for years ... and this bullet will do it in just about every revolver and even lever action rifles !
Thanks for the back up ,
Gary

So for those of us not in the casting fraternity (yet), is there anyone who casts and sells these?

 

[.45Coltguy]

Have to agree with wcwhitey here. 5.0gr Unique, 158 lswc[ Silver State bullets, still have LOTS of 'em], any case and spp, OAL is 1.450". Very accurate in my BH/6.5" barrel.

 

[marchboom]

Speer 148 HBWC over 3.1 grs of 231. Standard CCI primers. Misc cases. From a S&W mod 14, 6" I got 11/16" groups at 25 yds.