Cas .38 loads

glee · September 20, 2013, 10:12 AM

would like a good load for 120 gr lead bullet loaded in .38 brass at a .357 length.[would like to load only one shell for both lever rifle and pistols]new to CAS shooting will be using smokless powder HP 38,UNIVERSAL OR TITEGROUP

Rigmarol · September 20, 2013, 10:38 AM

Black powder loads are loaded with no airspace between the bullet and powder.

You can do this with just BP. Or with BP and a filler between the BP and bullet.

To get the load, measure the distance on your projectile from the bottom of the bullet to where you will crimp your case.

Mark a case below the case mouth with this measurement and fill the case up the line plus 1/16 for a little compression. Fillers can take a bit more compression if you want.

Personally, I don't care for fillers in my CAS BP loads. If I reduce the load, I use a felt wad or two.

Test on YOUR guns, I know this works on MY guns.

noelf2 · September 20, 2013, 01:32 PM

Since you're asking for smokeless cas loads, you should be able to get some recipes from the makers of the powders of your choosing. Be careful of interweb recipes. I use IMR trailboss.

Rigmarol · September 20, 2013, 09:22 PM

OOPS! I missed the "smokeless powder" part of the OP's question. My apologies.

When I shoot CAS with smokeless I also prefer TrailBoss.

Here is the latest load I made up for the wife's CAS matches:

Primer = Winchester Small Pistol
Powder = IMR Trail Boss 5.0gn
Bullet = Cast using Lee 356-120-TC 120gn
Alloy = Wheel Weights
Lube = TL LLA
Sized = as cast

Sorry again for the BP suggestion.

glee · September 21, 2013, 08:19 AM

do you crimp the cowboy loads

noelf2 · September 21, 2013, 08:41 AM

I do. A fairly heavy roll crimp using a factory crimp die. Do the same with 45 colt.

Jbar4Ranch · September 22, 2013, 10:23 AM

A 120 grainer in a .38 case at .357 OAL is not going to leave much bullet in the case.

September 20, 2013, 10:12 AM	#1
glee Member Join Date: September 19, 2013 Location: HEBER SPRINGS Ar Posts: 21	Cas .38 loads would like a good load for 120 gr lead bullet loaded in .38 brass at a .357 length.[would like to load only one shell for both lever rifle and pistols]new to CAS shooting will be using smokless powder HP 38,UNIVERSAL OR TITEGROUP Last edited by glee; September 20, 2013 at 11:10 AM.

September 20, 2013, 01:32 PM	#3
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	Since you're asking for smokeless cas loads, you should be able to get some recipes from the makers of the powders of your choosing. Be careful of interweb recipes. I use IMR trailboss. __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

September 21, 2013, 08:19 AM	#5
glee Member Join Date: September 19, 2013 Location: HEBER SPRINGS Ar Posts: 21	crimping do you crimp the cowboy loads

September 21, 2013, 08:41 AM	#6
noelf2 Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2008 Location: Stuart, VA Posts: 2,473	I do. A fairly heavy roll crimp using a factory crimp die. Do the same with 45 colt. __________________ Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither.

September 22, 2013, 10:23 AM	#7
Jbar4Ranch Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 1999 Location: Near Helena, Montana Posts: 1,719	A 120 grainer in a .38 case at .357 OAL is not going to leave much bullet in the case. __________________ Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets replaced... SASS 47015

September 20, 2013, 10:38 AM	#2
Rigmarol Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 344	Black powder loads are loaded with no airspace between the bullet and powder. You can do this with just BP. Or with BP and a filler between the BP and bullet. To get the load, measure the distance on your projectile from the bottom of the bullet to where you will crimp your case. Mark a case below the case mouth with this measurement and fill the case up the line plus 1/16 for a little compression. Fillers can take a bit more compression if you want. Personally, I don't care for fillers in my CAS BP loads. If I reduce the load, I use a felt wad or two. Test on YOUR guns, I know this works on MY guns.

September 20, 2013, 09:22 PM	#4
Rigmarol Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 344	OOPS! I missed the "smokeless powder" part of the OP's question. My apologies. When I shoot CAS with smokeless I also prefer TrailBoss. Here is the latest load I made up for the wife's CAS matches: Primer = Winchester Small Pistol Powder = IMR Trail Boss 5.0gn Bullet = Cast using Lee 356-120-TC 120gn Alloy = Wheel Weights Lube = TL LLA Sized = as cast Sorry again for the BP suggestion.