need load for .38 special

[kennedy]

I am shooting a 4 in official police, I have win 231 powder, and 158 RN flat point laser cast lead bullets, anyone have a favorite load? so far I have tried 3.5 and 4.0 grs, I am thinking I am going to try a load half way inbetween and see what happens. or should I go lower, like 3.1 grs?

[smkummer]

Most of us (the group I shoot with at Floyd County Conservation Club) now have switched to 231 (I will shortly) in 38 Special due to better metering out of progressive presses like the Pro-1000 and Dillion presses we use. In the medium frame Colts like yours (we love the officers models, troopers and of course the Python because of the adjustable sights) we are shooting a plus P load (about 5 grains) at about 9-950 FPS because we are also shooting these at 100 yards. If you at shooting 50 yards or less the Win. recommended 4 grains for a standard 38 special is a sweet shooting load. Let me know when your going to the range. I have the comming week off, so if the weather is good, I'll probably be at the range anyway. PM me for e-mail or phone number.

[blackdog001]

If I read your post correctly, you indicate you shoot 38 Special (maybe +P) at 100 yards? What is the drop at that distance? Iron sights?

Just curious as that seems like pretty daggone far with a 38, even in a +P load.

Thanks. BlackDog

[smkummer]

We use 4" square metal 3/8" thick metal plates at 25 yards. 8-10" plates at 50 yards and a 16" plate at 100 yards. Most of use a 6 oclock hold at 25 and that or into the target about 1/3 at 50 yards works great. Without adjusting the sights, one has to aim about 2/3 up on the target at 100 yards. We are painting the targets bright orange and with the black sights, one can see a outline of orange around the sights and it works great. This also works for my 7 1/2" and 12" SAA with fixed sights. As long as the bullet is going at about 850FPS or more, it works. It doesn't appear to work well with 38 mid-range match wadcutters as these drop too much at 100 yards.

[blackdog001]

Very impressive. I have a challenging time at 100 yards with peep sights on a rifle. My eyes are pretty bad. Thanks.

[DFrame]

We use 4" square metal 3/8" thick metal plates at 25 yards. 8-10" plates at 50 yards and a 16" plate at 100 yards. Most of use a 6 oclock hold at 25 and that or into the target about 1/3 at 50 yards works great. Without adjusting the sights, one has to aim about 2/3 up on the target at 100 yards. We are painting the targets bright orange and with the black sights, one can see a outline of orange around the sights and it works great. This also works for my 7 1/2" and 12" SAA with fixed sights. As long as the bullet is going at about 850FPS or more, it works. It doesn't appear to work well with 38 mid-range match wadcutters as these drop too much at 100 yards.

That sounds like a HUGE amount of fun. It's even better than my regular range sessions with my Detective at 25 yards.

[Frank V]

On page 876 of the Speer Reloading manual & 14 they give 3.8 grs of 231 as a starting load for the 158gr lead bullet velocity of 783. They give 4.3grs as max with a velocity of 863fps.
Last year I called the Hodgdons Powder co. in regards to an article in the Oct/Nov 2009 Handloader that said WW231 & Hodgdons HP38 are the same powder.
The Ballistition I spoke with said they are the same. His words were " come out of the same spout" since then I've used them interchangably (though not mixed together) & have had very good results with the same data for both.

I buy WW231 or HP38 depending on which is the cheapist at the time I'm in the gun shop.
Frank

[ColtSnakes]

About 5 gr. of Unique under a 158 gr LSWC works for me. Matter of fact, I just finished off a run of 1k rounds.

[DFrame]

My favorite is plain old 158 RNFP bullets and about 3.5 grains of Trail Boss. Mild load you can shoot all day.

[Doug.38PR]

as it is now. Standard .38 Spl. for me is typically loaded 4.5 grains of Unique for standard and 5.8 grains fo Power Pistol for +P