38 special help

[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

[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.

[2ndovc]

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

jb

[Dave]

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.

[Tycer]

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

[Charles]

Another +1 for Hobie

[Steve Collins]

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.

[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.

[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

[Dave]

How much Special brass have you got?

[the telegraphist]

Another one for Hobie they are top loads, though I use 4.5g in my Victory models. 6.2 in my 686.

[fordwannabe]

Dave never enough!

[Lefty Dude]

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

One can never have too much Brass.

[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]

Stick with the Hobie loads, Unique is my only sixgun powder.

[rjohns94]

I agree with HOBIE and all the others. Jerrry B, you and I both, unique only for me.

[pokey]

yup

[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.