New .38 Special reloader--powder recommendations? - Page 2

1tfl · August 27, 2009, 11:11 AM

Winchester 231 is pretty much all I use for 38 Special.

158 gr Cast SWC / 4.5gr of Win231 / WLP Primer = Excellent general purpose standard pressure load. Very accurate load in my revolvers.

148 gr Cast DEWC / 4.0gr of Win231 / WLP Primer = Excellent general purpose low pressure load. Used in my air weight snubnose revolvers for plinking and on small games with my 4" model 19.

As long as you are not trying to load +P loads, Win231 is excellent and economical. Best of all any place that sells powders will have it.

iblong · August 27, 2009, 03:50 PM

I use W231 and unique.

Slamfire · August 27, 2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Right now, I'll be reloading .38 Special for target practice. (I don't want to use light target loads, though, as my S&W M60 snubbie is my CCW and I want my practice to approximate SD loads.) I will probably load 100-200 rounds per week.

Late model S&W snubbies are sighted in for 125 grain bullets. Earlier ones 158.

Anyway, I used Bullseye.

S&W M637-2 2" barrel

125 Lead BBRNFP 4.0 grs Bullseye Mixed cases WSP 9-Apr-06 T = 59 F
Ave Vel = 760.4
Std Dev = 27.33
ES 82.1
High 798.9
Low 716.8
N = 19
More or less Point of aim Surprising recoil

125 Lead BBRNFP 4.5 grs Bullseye Mixed cases WSP 9-Apr-06 T = 64 F
Ave Vel = 827.9 842.7
Std Dev = 23.21 23.53
ES 92.27 69.47
High 879.4 881
Low 787.1 812
N = 20 22
Maybe a little low Windage centered

August 27, 2009, 11:11 AM	#26
1tfl Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2007 Posts: 287	Winchester 231 is pretty much all I use for 38 Special. 158 gr Cast SWC / 4.5gr of Win231 / WLP Primer = Excellent general purpose standard pressure load. Very accurate load in my revolvers. 148 gr Cast DEWC / 4.0gr of Win231 / WLP Primer = Excellent general purpose low pressure load. Used in my air weight snubnose revolvers for plinking and on small games with my 4" model 19. As long as you are not trying to load +P loads, Win231 is excellent and economical. Best of all any place that sells powders will have it.

August 27, 2009, 03:50 PM	#27
iblong Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2008 Location: MN Posts: 559	I use W231 and unique.