125/124 grain lead 38spcl

CADILLAC HOOSIER · March 10, 2014, 02:29 PM

I have a couple of thousand 125 gr lead bullets that I would like to load in 38 special. All of my manuals show recipes for this with powders i don't have or can't get. They do show recipes for 124 gr lead bullets with powders I have on hand. Can somebody help me out here? Load safe, Shoot safe, Hoosier

Wallyl · March 10, 2014, 03:06 PM

Sure thing...I use the Lee 120 TC and 125 RNF....4.5 of Bullseye or Red Dot or 5.0 W-231/HP-38 or 5.5 of Unique. Just be sure that you don't double charge. All were accurate and great plinking loads.

CADILLAC HOOSIER · March 10, 2014, 04:25 PM

I'm out of red dot. got VV N320 and Accurate #5 on the shelf. Having trouble getting anything else.

Jim Watson · March 10, 2014, 04:38 PM

One grain of bullet weight will make no difference in the load.
Go with the 124 data you have.

bedbugbilly · March 10, 2014, 05:26 PM

What powders do you have?

I'm cast a lot of different wts. but the one I'm using that is closest to what you mention is the 356-120-TC. I'm shooting them "as cast" as they drop out of my mold at around .358. I just load target/plinking rounds for my 38s. Currently I'm loading the lead 120 TC over 3.5 gr. of Bullseye. I seat to COAL of1.510. Seat so top of casing mouth is just below top of lube/crimp groove and I use a light to operate roll crimp. CCI standard SPP. I am getting some good results out of my 5" M & P as well as my 5 1/2" Ruger NV. I haven't tried them yet in my 4" Combat Masterpiece but I expect they will shoot equally as well.

This particular bullet has a conventional lube ring. I tumble lube them in Alox/paste wax and they work just fine - no leading problems in any of my 38s.

griz · March 12, 2014, 07:44 AM

Quote:

One grain of bullet weight will make no difference in the load.
Go with the 124 data you have.

Exactly that. The weight of the individual bullets probably varies by more than a grain.

Nick_C_S · March 13, 2014, 10:28 PM

Your AA#5 will work. It leans a bit to the slow side, but it'll work. I don't have a specific load recipe. But I'd start in the 6.5g neighborhood, and probably end up around the 7.0g neighborhood. I assume you just want to make general purpose shooters - "plinkers," as they're often referred.

March 10, 2014, 02:29 PM	#1
CADILLAC HOOSIER Member Join Date: August 28, 2010 Location: INDIANA Posts: 62	125/124 grain lead 38spcl I have a couple of thousand 125 gr lead bullets that I would like to load in 38 special. All of my manuals show recipes for this with powders i don't have or can't get. They do show recipes for 124 gr lead bullets with powders I have on hand. Can somebody help me out here? Load safe, Shoot safe, Hoosier

March 13, 2014, 10:28 PM	#7
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,522	Accurate Arms No. 5 Your AA#5 will work. It leans a bit to the slow side, but it'll work. I don't have a specific load recipe. But I'd start in the 6.5g neighborhood, and probably end up around the 7.0g neighborhood. I assume you just want to make general purpose shooters - "plinkers," as they're often referred. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

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March 10, 2014, 03:06 PM	#2
Wallyl Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2011 Posts: 255	Sure thing...I use the Lee 120 TC and 125 RNF....4.5 of Bullseye or Red Dot or 5.0 W-231/HP-38 or 5.5 of Unique. Just be sure that you don't double charge. All were accurate and great plinking loads.

March 10, 2014, 04:25 PM	#3
CADILLAC HOOSIER Member Join Date: August 28, 2010 Location: INDIANA Posts: 62	I'm out of red dot. got VV N320 and Accurate #5 on the shelf. Having trouble getting anything else.

March 10, 2014, 04:38 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,534	One grain of bullet weight will make no difference in the load. Go with the 124 data you have.

March 10, 2014, 05:26 PM	#5
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	What powders do you have? I'm cast a lot of different wts. but the one I'm using that is closest to what you mention is the 356-120-TC. I'm shooting them "as cast" as they drop out of my mold at around .358. I just load target/plinking rounds for my 38s. Currently I'm loading the lead 120 TC over 3.5 gr. of Bullseye. I seat to COAL of1.510. Seat so top of casing mouth is just below top of lube/crimp groove and I use a light to operate roll crimp. CCI standard SPP. I am getting some good results out of my 5" M & P as well as my 5 1/2" Ruger NV. I haven't tried them yet in my 4" Combat Masterpiece but I expect they will shoot equally as well. This particular bullet has a conventional lube ring. I tumble lube them in Alox/paste wax and they work just fine - no leading problems in any of my 38s. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63 Last edited by bedbugbilly; March 10, 2014 at 05:31 PM.