38 special help

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fordwannabe
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38 special help

Post by fordwannabe »

I am in need of some good 38 special loads for a S&W 66 I have. I want to use either my 158 Keith swc or my lee 158 fp molds. I have most of the usual powders on hand Unique, reddot, 2400, ect ,ect but what do you guys suggest as a good plinking, small game load for that gun. If I carry it concealed it's normally stoked with hydrashocks or some very old Black Talons in 357 mag, but I am looking for a practice(read cheap) load but one I wouldn't feel "undergunned" with just out hiking or when camping. Tried 3.5 gr of reddot but was not impressed.Thanks guys. Tom
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Hobie
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Re: 38 special help

Post by Hobie »

5 gr. Unique in .38 Special cases or 6 gr. in .357 Mag cases with 158 gr. cast or swaged bullets. Seems to work in all my .38/.357 guns.
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Hobie

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2ndovc
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Re: 38 special help

Post by 2ndovc »

I've burnt up a lot of 158s and 3.5 grains of Bullseye.

jb 8)
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Dave
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Re: 38 special help

Post by Dave »

Hobie wrote:5 gr. Unique in .38 Special cases or 6 gr. in .3576 Mag cases with 158 gr. cast or swaged bullets. Seems to work in all my .38/.357 guns.

Hobie is dead on with this load.
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Tycer
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Re: 38 special help

Post by Tycer »

Dave wrote:
Hobie wrote:5 gr. Unique in .38 Special cases or 6 gr. in .3576 Mag cases with 158 gr. cast or swaged bullets. Seems to work in all my .38/.357 guns.

Hobie is dead on with this load.
+1
Kind regards,
Tycer
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Charles
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Re: 38 special help

Post by Charles »

Another +1 for Hobie
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Re: 38 special help

Post by Steve Collins »

Hobie wrote:5 gr. Unique in .38 Special cases or 6 gr. in .3576 Mag cases with 158 gr. cast or swaged bullets. Seems to work in all my .38/.357 guns.
Yep, same load I use in my .38s.
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Warhawk
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Re: 38 special help

Post by Warhawk »

Just wanted to pass this along, Lapua .38 Spl 158 RNL, $199 per 700 rounds.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/ ... -nose-ammo

Just in case anyone wants to stockpile some quality ammo.
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fordwannabe
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Re: 38 special help

Post by fordwannabe »

Thanks for the info Hobie and +1 from all the other guys. I know where I will start, now if I could do something about the loose nut behind the trigger we might be able to get somewhere! Tom
a Pennsylvanian who has been accused of clinging to my religion and my guns......Good assessment skills.
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Dave
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Re: 38 special help

Post by Dave »

How much Special brass have you got?
the telegraphist
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Re: 38 special help

Post by the telegraphist »

Another one for Hobie they are top loads, though I use 4.5g in my Victory models. 6.2 in my 686.
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fordwannabe
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Re: 38 special help

Post by fordwannabe »

Dave never enough!
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Lefty Dude
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Re: 38 special help

Post by Lefty Dude »

About the same amount of 44 specials, 1500 & a thousand 44 mag.

One can never have too much Brass. :wink: :o
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stretch
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Re: 38 special help

Post by stretch »

I've had very good luck with WW231 and 158gr LSWC.
Winchester small pistol primers were used.

3.1 gr. is a REALLY light load, but very accurate for bullseye
in my S&W Model 60. You might or might not have to work DOWN
to it - it might be a little light in some guns. I shot some nice
scores in that 4" gun with this load. It's fine at 50 feet indoors;
but not quite as good at 50 yards outside.

3.5 gr. also works pretty well - better, in fact, in 2" revolvers than
the 3.1 load.

4.5 gr. is VERY accurate in my S&W Model 10. It is a +P load. I find
it easy to shoot in this gun. With a 158gr LSWCHP is shoots right at
point of aim. I imagine it would work just fine for social work or small
game, although I haven't actually used it on 'chucks or bipedal
varmints yet. That gun has a 4" barrel as well.

-Stretch
JerryB
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Re: 38 special help

Post by JerryB »

Stick with the Hobie loads, Unique is my only sixgun powder.
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rjohns94
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Re: 38 special help

Post by rjohns94 »

I agree with HOBIE and all the others. Jerrry B, you and I both, unique only for me.
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pokey
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Re: 38 special help

Post by pokey »

yup
careful what you wish for, you might just get it.

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TedH
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Re: 38 special help

Post by TedH »

Another vote for the 5 gr. of Unique load.

I don't do so, but I could get by quite nicely with Unique as my only handgun powder.
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