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Powder load for 148gr .38 wadcutters?
tr fox
Member Posts: 13,856
What brand and type of gunpowder should I use in my .38 spl 148 grain wadcutter reloads for target practice in a S&W .357 magnum model 66? And how many grains should I load in each case?
Seems like way back in 1978, the last time I reloaded, I was using 2.5 grains of Bullseye powder in my primitive, one round at a time (will still have to use it now) RCBS reloader. Everything worked fine, but the Bullseye was kinda dirty and I wonder if any better powder has been developed in the last 29 years?
BTW, I scored big today. I drove from the KC area to Wichita KS, and purchased 7,500 Speer 148 grain ,38 special wadcutter bullets, 1,500 small pistol primers and 600 .38 special cases for $216.00 from an older guy who has lost sight in the center of his right eye and can no longer enjoy shooting nor has a need for reloading. His left eye is still fine. I told him that there are shooters who are young and have two good eyes but still shoot with their right hand using their left eye. Not many, but some. I asked if he that thought of trying that and he kinda looked at me like I was stupid (heck, it could work) and said no he hadn't/wouldn't try that. He was a really nice older guy. Amazing how many people who are gun people that I meet that are really nicer than the general population.
Moved to the Competition and Reloading forum.
Seems like way back in 1978, the last time I reloaded, I was using 2.5 grains of Bullseye powder in my primitive, one round at a time (will still have to use it now) RCBS reloader. Everything worked fine, but the Bullseye was kinda dirty and I wonder if any better powder has been developed in the last 29 years?
BTW, I scored big today. I drove from the KC area to Wichita KS, and purchased 7,500 Speer 148 grain ,38 special wadcutter bullets, 1,500 small pistol primers and 600 .38 special cases for $216.00 from an older guy who has lost sight in the center of his right eye and can no longer enjoy shooting nor has a need for reloading. His left eye is still fine. I told him that there are shooters who are young and have two good eyes but still shoot with their right hand using their left eye. Not many, but some. I asked if he that thought of trying that and he kinda looked at me like I was stupid (heck, it could work) and said no he hadn't/wouldn't try that. He was a really nice older guy. Amazing how many people who are gun people that I meet that are really nicer than the general population.
Moved to the Competition and Reloading forum.
Comments
If those are hollow base wadcutters, 2.8 to 3.1 gr of Bullseye, 3.0- 3.3 gr 231. Hotter loads= less accuracy. Bevel base wadcutters, different load. Use with .38 special brass only. Source- Speer reloading manual #10. Please exercise caution when asking for load data on the net- you can get from the powder company websites- and there are nuts out there.
Thank you and you are corrrect. I was hoping that with my past experience with Bullseye I would be suspicious enough of any crazy data offered that I would check further. And thanks for reminding me that yes, they are hollow core wadcutters. Although I don't think they are beveled. Doesn't look like it nor say it on the box.
Is the #231 the brand name of the powder you mentioned?
I loaded Bullseye for years in the 38 Special with 148gr wadcutters and 3.0 grs. Great short range target load and not much good for anything else.
Good Luck.............[^].