38 special load using universal & 140 grain cast

1tomcat · January 7, 2006, 07:03 PM

would appreciate a load to work from using hogdon universal and the Lee 140 grain cast swc bullet, I have a model 10 smith
Thanks

HSMITH · January 7, 2006, 09:50 PM

Use 158 grain data from your loading manual for starting points. Your velocities and pressures will be a tad lower than with the 158.

I have shot a lot of the Lee 140's in 38, some tumbled in liquid alox but most lubed with my home made lube. Good bullet and a great bullet to make really soft shooting and accurate paper punchers.

I did not like Universal with the liquid alox, it burned through the alox and leaded barrels terribly when loaded heavy enough to be consistent. Light loads were pretty inconsistent. Unique worked well for heavy loads, Clays and Bullseye both worked well for light loads. My home made lube worked better in all cases but Universal still leaded some, with the other powders leading was nonexistant and sparkling clean bores after 1500 rounds were all I ever have. Alloy was straight wheelweights water dropped.

Leftoverdj · January 7, 2006, 10:39 PM

Waterquenched WW is way too hard for .38 Special pressures. Air cooled works fine. I shot 3.5 grains of Unique when I was using that bullet. Unfortunately, Unique does not meter well in that small a charge, so I eventually switched to ball powders.

HSMITH · January 8, 2006, 08:43 AM

I water drop EVERY bullet I cast. For me it is faster, easier and more convenient. With a good lube and sized .001" over groove everything is fine.

8ring · January 8, 2006, 12:08 PM

I've shot a large number of Laser-Cast 140gr. truncated cone .357 mag loads with Universal. Hodgdon told me to use their data for 135gr. lead bullets.

For 135 gr .38spl lead bullets and Universal, Hodgdon shows 4.1 gr. minimum and 4.6gr maximum (16,900 CUP).

I would think that 4.1 to 4.3gr Universal would get you off to a good start with your .38 specials.

Chris

1tomcat · January 8, 2006, 12:57 PM

Thanks a lot for all the replies a lot of food for thought here

jclaude · January 8, 2006, 02:27 PM

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data from out of date load manuals. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

I love that bullet in 38 & .357 mag. It was the first bullet mold I ever bought back in 1972 or thereabouts. I've tried a variety of loads with several powders, but Unique is my favorite for 38 or 357. 5 to 5.5 grain range for the 38 works very well & 8 to 8.5 for the .357. I usually used wheel weights but would ocassionally use linotype when it was available. Pure lino was a little too hard to suit me. The ww lead worked well for moderate velocity loads. My philosophy on sizing has always been to aim for bore size or slightly over (.001 over-max) just my personal preference.

January 7, 2006, 07:03 PM	#1
1tomcat Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2005 Posts: 147	38 special load using universal & 140 grain cast would appreciate a load to work from using hogdon universal and the Lee 140 grain cast swc bullet, I have a model 10 smith Thanks

January 8, 2006, 02:27 PM	#7
jclaude Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Coastal North Carolina Posts: 157	140 Lee SWC CAUTION: The following post includes loading data from out of date load manuals. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. I love that bullet in 38 & .357 mag. It was the first bullet mold I ever bought back in 1972 or thereabouts. I've tried a variety of loads with several powders, but Unique is my favorite for 38 or 357. 5 to 5.5 grain range for the 38 works very well & 8 to 8.5 for the .357. I usually used wheel weights but would ocassionally use linotype when it was available. Pure lino was a little too hard to suit me. The ww lead worked well for moderate velocity loads. My philosophy on sizing has always been to aim for bore size or slightly over (.001 over-max) just my personal preference. Last edited by jclaude; January 8, 2006 at 08:14 PM.

January 7, 2006, 09:50 PM	#2
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	Use 158 grain data from your loading manual for starting points. Your velocities and pressures will be a tad lower than with the 158. I have shot a lot of the Lee 140's in 38, some tumbled in liquid alox but most lubed with my home made lube. Good bullet and a great bullet to make really soft shooting and accurate paper punchers. I did not like Universal with the liquid alox, it burned through the alox and leaded barrels terribly when loaded heavy enough to be consistent. Light loads were pretty inconsistent. Unique worked well for heavy loads, Clays and Bullseye both worked well for light loads. My home made lube worked better in all cases but Universal still leaded some, with the other powders leading was nonexistant and sparkling clean bores after 1500 rounds were all I ever have. Alloy was straight wheelweights water dropped.

January 7, 2006, 10:39 PM	#3
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	Waterquenched WW is way too hard for .38 Special pressures. Air cooled works fine. I shot 3.5 grains of Unique when I was using that bullet. Unfortunately, Unique does not meter well in that small a charge, so I eventually switched to ball powders.

January 8, 2006, 08:43 AM	#4
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	I water drop EVERY bullet I cast. For me it is faster, easier and more convenient. With a good lube and sized .001" over groove everything is fine.

January 8, 2006, 12:08 PM	#5
8ring Member Join Date: October 26, 2002 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 84	I've shot a large number of Laser-Cast 140gr. truncated cone .357 mag loads with Universal. Hodgdon told me to use their data for 135gr. lead bullets. For 135 gr .38spl lead bullets and Universal, Hodgdon shows 4.1 gr. minimum and 4.6gr maximum (16,900 CUP). I would think that 4.1 to 4.3gr Universal would get you off to a good start with your .38 specials. Chris

January 8, 2006, 12:57 PM	#6
1tomcat Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2005 Posts: 147	Thanks a lot for all the replies a lot of food for thought here