38 Special "Bunny Fart" loads?

[VonFatman]

I'd like to load up some easy-going .38 Special loads for my wife and step-daughter.

We have several J-Frames and a Model 15-4.

I have the following components on the shelf:

4-5 pounds of Win 231 (I'd like to use some of this powder up)
1 pound of Tight-Group
1,200 125gr Winchester JHP bullets
500+ 158gr Winchester JHP bullets
Winchester primers

ALSO...if anyone has a suggestion or two for some P+ .38 Special loads for the N-Frames in the safe...I'd sure like to work up some loads using those same components for those larger guns.

Thanks!

Bob

[maxwayne]

For the light stuff try 3.0 of 231 and the 125 gr bullets. Don't load too many cause you want to make sure they will exit the barrel. You can try 3.5 or 4.0 and see what you like. 4.0 with the 158 gr will give you about 650 fps which is pretty wimpy. IN THE N-FRAMES, 5.3 of 231 and the 125 jhp should be around 900 fps. 4.4 and the 158 shows 720fps. You did not ask about magnum cases, but 231 and the 125 jhp's can get pretty interesting.

[VonFatman]

maxwayne,
Thank you! I appreciate the suggested loads!! If you have suggestions for 125gr. JHP's in the N-frames/357...I'm all ears!!

Thanks again.

Bob

[Jim Watson]

Jacketed bullets are not the best choice for powderpuff loads.
You are not only at risk of sticking a bullet in the bore, you are at risk of sticking just the jacket and the core hitting the target so you don't realize anything is wrong. I HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN! Resulting in a bulged barrel when he shot the jacket out with the next round. But he didn't want to dirty up his nice new gun with old fashioned lead bullets and he didn't want to get kicked either. He paid for his error.

I think 3 grains W231 is too little for a JHP.
Hodgdon 26th Ed, when they were comparing other brands shows 4.1 grains W231 as the starting load for a 125 gr jacketed bullet, with velocity in the 700s and 12,000 psi. Lyman P&R goes down to 3.9 grains with a velocity UNDER 600 fps and pressure of 10,000. That is little enough.

Otherwise splurge on some 148 gr wadcutters for the ladies and load them with 3.2 grains of 231. Or some 125 gr cast bullets and about the same for a Cowboy tenderfoot load.

There are plenty of handbook +P loads for your big guns. Better you should look them up than me risking a typo.

Y'all be careful, now, you hear?

[Mark whiz]

out of my 4" Security Six, 3.6gr of Win231 and 158gr JHPs (XTPs) give me about 570fps and 1 to 1.5" groups at 10yds.

I've loaded 231 down to 3.2gr using 158gr JHPs and shot without any trouble out of 2 & 4"barrels - but accuracy wasn't that good down there.

From what I see in my manuals - 3.2 to 3.6gr of Tightgroup ought to put you in the ballpark with those 158s as well.

[mtnbkr]

If you have some 000 buckshot pellets on hand and if your sizing die is tight enough (to give adequate tension to hold the pellet), a 000 pellet over a grain or two of fast powder (I used Bullseye) makes an ultra light and ultra quiet load. In my 4" GP100, it wasn't even as loud as a capgun. I'd guestimate 300fps. I could see the ball in flight. It only dented a sheet of tin. That load was about 1gr of BE, I'd go 2grs just to make sure it won't stick in your barrel, but it should still be light and easy.

Chris

[goodshot]

Along the same line.....38 special..... I'm loading some 125 plated HPs and want to use clays. I've used 2.8 grains of clays with my own cast 158 grain bullets. What's the least amount I should use and still remain safe with 125 gr bullets ? The book says about 3.5 grains. Dare I go lower ? Thanks

[VonFatman]

Mr. Watson,
Thanks for the tips. I ran the posted loads past my Lyman (I always do)manual and ran a few (20 rounds) out at 3.5gr. then ran a bit longer run (30 rounds) with 4gr. I shot a couple of the 3.5gr. loads out the backdoor (I don't live in town)...they fired fine...I'll check the pipe before I go to bed to make sure the second round did not lodge/partial lodge. I know the first round didn't ;-)
I actually have some lead wadcutters (about 300)...I'll dig them out and try them out. I appreciate the feedback.

Mark whiz,
I'll run a box or two at the range to see how the two loads (3.5gr vs. 4gr.) compare at 15-20 yds. If they hit my plate rack, I'll be happy as a lark. That or the gongs seem to be the most popular targets.
Thanks!

mtnbkr,
Well, I have some 00, but no 000! That sounds like a fun way to shoot without too much noise or recoil. Thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks guys!

Bob

[maxwayne]

3.0 of 231 and the wadcutters is one of my light loads in my J frames. The WW book says that you can use 8.0 of 231 with a 125gr jhp in the magnum case. I back it down to 7.5 and it still packs a wallop.

[VonFatman]

I'd stashed them away some time ago...nearly 400 bullets needing to be used.

I followed the Lyman book the first six rounds (to test the recoil) and found that 3.7 gr. of the 231 was too warm.

I'll cut it back to 3.2 gr. tomorrow (thanks Mr. Watson and maxwayne)
We'll see how it goes.

This has been kinda fun moving things around to get the desired effect.

OK...another question...crimp the lead? If so, just enough to hold on?

Thanks.

Bob

[Kanilure]

Vonfatman; Cripes women are such wimps! Start 'em out on 357 Magnum and then let 'em try regular .38's. They'll thank you for it! No offense. Kanilure