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.38 Special and .357mag load data
#5946714
09/25/15 09:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34,189
Buzzsaw
OP
THF Celebrity
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OP
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34,189 |
Post your favorite loads for each. Especially looking for a Match Target .38 Special load. Thanks!!!
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: .38 Special and .357mag load data
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#5947181
09/26/15 03:19 AM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,057
GasGuzzler
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,057 |
For .357 single action (read Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero) use .358" 162 gr cast SWC with any good lube over 14.1 gr 2400, not too much more than noticeable crimp, and a CCI small pistol primer. Use RSP or WSP if needed in place of the CCI, no Fed and no mag primers.
I don't know what match target is but it sounds like something I'd use the above load for, not .38S. I've split more than one playing card edgewise at 21' off hand standing in the shade with above so I bailed on my .38S brass.
125-ish grains of lead and somewhere around 12 grains 2400 for the "special"? Don't quote that one it just sounds right.
Pass the gravy.
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Re: .38 Special and .357mag load data
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#5949345
09/27/15 11:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 446
hovercat
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 446 |
I load .38spl with 2.0 gr Bullseye over a cast Lyman 141gr button nose wadcutter. A very light load. I started loading these so that my daughter would practice without flinching from recoil, noise or flash. They are now my favorite also. e Edit. Sizing is important. My Colt likes them at .357. Daughter's S&W will lead up unless at .358 I seat the bullets out about 1/8" so that I crimp into the first groove. Strong crimp with the dedicated RCBS roll crimp die.
Last edited by hovercat; 09/28/15 10:51 AM.
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Re: .38 Special and .357mag load data
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#5949921
09/28/15 04:37 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,273
blackcoal
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,273 |
148 gr cast wadcutter with 2.7--2.9 gr of Bullseye has been a recommended standard for match accuracy since the '70s.
The Greatest Enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.--Stephen Hawking
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Re: .38 Special and .357mag load data
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#5950608
09/28/15 05:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 447
Strongbad
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 447 |
For 38's I use 3.2 gr. W-231 with 158 gr. SWC's, super light but it cuts out a ragged hole. For 357, I only run 125 HP's so I can't help you much for target/match loads but I use H-110 and it shoots very well.
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Re: .38 Special and .357mag load data
[Re: Buzzsaw]
#5951067
09/28/15 09:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 528
fishfree
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 528 |
For plinking I like a load of 3.2 gn Bullseye under 158 gn lead semi-wadcutter
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