.38 special loads

Little-e · June 23, 1999, 11:32 AM

A friend of mine asked me to load some .38's for him and gave me a bunch of 140gr LSWC. I've checked three loading books and none of them have this bullet listed. The closest I found was 2.3gr of Clays for a 135gr lead bullet. Any suggestions?

BTW, I'll be using Clays or Unique for powder.

**Mal H** · June 23, 1999, 11:59 AM

Sure, you can use the loads listed for the 135 with the 140. It's safe to use the loads for one bullet for a slightly lighter bullet of the same caliber, within reason. The same is not true for a heavier bullet. And it is very important that you use loads for like kinds of bullets, i.e., lead/lead, jacketed/jacketed, not lead/jacketed. One precaution, especially for jacketed bullets, is to always start at the min. load and work up. There can be a large difference in hardness for different types of jacketed bullets, and for lead to a lesser extent.

MO · June 24, 1999, 01:30 PM

Check the following web sites which have load data (as if you ain't already done that):
Winchester
Alliant
Hogdon

Paul B. · June 24, 1999, 02:26 PM

Little-E. The Lyman 47th Ed. reloading manual has the data you want. it is for bullet 358495, weight 141 gr. You may want to check it out. Clays does not seem to be the best powder for the job. The load you show is safe according to the manual,being one grain above the starting load They show 2.8 gr. as being max though. I use either Bullseye or W-231 with that bullet. It is an accurate bullet with powder it likes.
Paul B.

[This message has been edited by Paul B. (edited June 24, 1999).]

June 23, 1999, 11:32 AM	#1
Little-e Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 1999 Posts: 171	A friend of mine asked me to load some .38's for him and gave me a bunch of 140gr LSWC. I've checked three loading books and none of them have this bullet listed. The closest I found was 2.3gr of Clays for a 135gr lead bullet. Any suggestions? BTW, I'll be using Clays or Unique for powder.

June 23, 1999, 11:59 AM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	Sure, you can use the loads listed for the 135 with the 140. It's safe to use the loads for one bullet for a slightly lighter bullet of the same caliber, within reason. The same is not true for a heavier bullet. And it is very important that you use loads for like kinds of bullets, i.e., lead/lead, jacketed/jacketed, not lead/jacketed. One precaution, especially for jacketed bullets, is to always start at the min. load and work up. There can be a large difference in hardness for different types of jacketed bullets, and for lead to a lesser extent.

June 24, 1999, 01:30 PM	#3
MO Member Join Date: June 2, 1999 Posts: 42	Check the following web sites which have load data (as if you ain't already done that): Winchester Alliant Hogdon

June 24, 1999, 02:26 PM	#4
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Little-E. The Lyman 47th Ed. reloading manual has the data you want. it is for bullet 358495, weight 141 gr. You may want to check it out. Clays does not seem to be the best powder for the job. The load you show is safe according to the manual,being one grain above the starting load They show 2.8 gr. as being max though. I use either Bullseye or W-231 with that bullet. It is an accurate bullet with powder it likes. Paul B. [This message has been edited by Paul B. (edited June 24, 1999).]