Bullseye and the 38splc

[dabersold]

I have about half a pound of bullseye powder I would like to use up. The two guns I will be shooting it in are a snubby 38 spcl. NOT +P rated, and a 357 mag. They will be all loaded in 38 spcl. cases with 158 JSP bullets. My problem is with the consistency of the load data I'm finding. Nosler manual shows 4.1gr as max without saying if it's a +P load, but others show it as a +P load. I want a load that's near the top, but safe for my 38 snub nosed Rossi as well. So, in short, is 4.1 grs. of Bullseye a +P load for the 38 spcl.? Thanks

[Niner4Tango]

Well, you've already burned up 1/2 pound of Bullseye, so you're no beginner. You already know about the variation in recipes for different mfg's, bullet types and test guns.

You can go to Alliant for a start, but the 158 gr bullet they are showing is a LSWC which could be a .358" diameter, where your jacketed bullets are .357.

Nosler shows:
3.1 gr @ 630 fps
3.6 gr @ 730 fps
4.1 gr @ 830 fps (max load)

My old Speer manual (1979) shows +P:
4.3 gr @ 813 (inconsistent with the above , so I'd assume a different test gun)
4.9 gr @ 850

So, what do you want to do with your 1/2 pound of Bullseye?
If you want to load up some range rounds, keep it down in the lower range of powder weight. If you want some excitement, top it out at 4.0 or 4.1 gr to stay under +P.

Whatever you end up with: Work up your load from around 3.6 and look for signs of over pressure. Be safe and enjoy the process.

[Chesster]

3.8-4.0 sounds good for both.

[dabersold]

Niner4Tango - Yes, I mostly want a load to help with my trigger squeeze for my 357, but want it to be safe in my 38 as well. I think I will just keep with the "standard" 3.5gr load and call it good. Thanks for the reply

[m&p45acp10+1]

The 3.5 shold be a safe load. I load 158 grain cast lead SWC with 3.3 grains, they shoot just fine.

Wow I just looked in my Lyman Pistol & Revolver 3rd Edition, and it does not list Bull's Eye with jacketed 158 grain bullets.

[243winxb]

Alliant has dropped loading data for the 158gr jacketed bullet in 38 spicial. Reason, may be, because some bullets will stick in the barrel with starting loads.

[m&p45acp10+1]

.243 you may be right about that. I have had squibs with Trail Boss using 148 grain HBWC with even max loads.

I used Bull's Eye for the rest of them, and had good results.

[parisite]

+P in 38 Special is still a low pressure round as far as pistol calibers go.

Shoot and enjoy.

[willr]

I have used 3.5 gr of Bullseye with 158 gr Xtreme RNFP plated for years with excellent accuracy -- in both my 38 and my 357.

willr

[Slamfire]

My little Rossi snubbie is sighted to shoot to point of aim with 158 grain bullets. These pistols are not +P rated, I called the service center once, they had seen a number of Rossi's blown up with hot handloads.

I am surprised I don't have any chronograph data in my Rossi, but I have shot tens of thousands of rounds of a 158 L with 3.5 grains Bullseye. This is an excellent, accurate load.

Shoots to point of aim in my fixed sight pistols.

					
Taurus M85 B2UL  2" Barrel  		
					
158 LSWC 3.5 grs Bullseye thrown, Mixed Brass WSP 11-Dec-04 T = 54 F
Ave Vel =	686.3		 		
Std Dev =	13.63		  
ES	58.48		 
High	718.8		 		
Low	660.3		 		
N =	30		 		
shot little high and centered	

			
158 LRN  Master Factory Ammo 30-Dec-04  T = 56 F
Ave Vel =	698.2		 		
Std Dev =	20.56  		
ES	105.8		
High	753.5		
Low	647.6		 		
N =	50
shot 6" high centered,until barrel leaded

		 		
					
158 LSWC 3.5 grs Bullseye Mixed brass Fed 100 30-Dec-04  T = 56 F
Ave Vel =	706.2		 		
Std Dev =	23.45		 		 
ES	81.94		 		 
High	748		 		 
Low	666.1		 		
N =	48

Colt Detective Special mfgr 1963    24-Jul-99	T = 100 F !


158 gr LRN 3.5 grs Bullseye thrown, CCI primers mixed  cases		
					
Average 751 fps		
Standard Deviation 32 fps
Extreme Spread 90 fps
High 805 
Low 715		
Recorded shots 22		
					
158 LRN 3.5 grs Bullseye WSP Mixed cases	 8-Jan-06 T = 52 F
Ave Vel =	675.9				
Std Dev =	18.6				
ES	96.18				
High	723.9				
Low	627.7				
N =	50				 
					
158 LSWC 3.5 grs Bullseye WSP Mixed cases	8-Jan-06  T = 58 F
Ave Vel =	706.8				
Std Dev =	15.55				
ES	65.87				
High	742.9				
Low	677				
N =	50				 
					
				
Colt Detective Special  mfgr 1974 
158gr LSWC 3.3 grs Bullseye CCI 500 primers, Dillon Loads  17-Oct-93  T = 65-70F
Ave Vel =	682	fps			 
Std Dev =	33				
ES	96				
High	733			
Low	637			 	
N =	6		

[dabersold]

Thanks again for the posts. I think 3.5grs. will suit me just fine for what I want.
Slamfire - great post, very informative. Thanks to all.

[marklyftogt]

Slamfire...what about OAL for those loads?

[Slamfire]

I crimp to the cannelure on JHP, I crimp to the crimp groove on cast bullets.

It is not sophisticated but it works.