Shooters Forum banner

38 special,cast lead and accurate No 9

6K views 30 replies 19 participants last post by  TimSr 
#1 ·
Hello,I have ordered a Lee tl 357 158 swc bullet mold for a rock island 38 special,and was wondering if anyone has had any luck loading this combination with No.9 powder.From what I gather it seems like it is not suited for mild loads around 800 fps but I have ten pounds sitting around and would like to use it.I've been using red dot but I'm not happy with the accuracy.This gun has proved that it is capable of one inch groups at around 45 feet,don't know if that's good but it seems more than acceptable for what little the gun cost.I would be experimenting already with this powder but can not find any type of safe starting point or experience from other shooters so far.I would be happy to hear any pet loads using this bullet style if you would be willing to share. Thankyou
 
#3 ·
I just went through a pile of published load data from Lyman, RCBS, Accurate, Speer, Hornady, and Nosler and I couldn't find anything with AA9, not one single load for standard or +P 38 special. It appears AA9 is too slow burning for 38 spcl. so there's likely a risk of detonations. Contrary to that is that I can find data with H110/296 for 38 spcl, but not AA9.

Have any AA2, AA5, AA7, HS6, Longshot, HP38/W231, Blue Dot, Unique? Any of those will work just fine.

Got a .357 mag., you could burn up that AA9 in that cartridge and with a big bang too.

SMOA
 
#4 ·
I have blue dot,I remember it being super clean in a 44 magnum.I also have 296 but never witnessed a clean burning load with it,but I'll try it also.Thank you for going through all of your manuals,I don't have that many myself.I wish I had them all,old and new.
 
#5 ·
Just wanted to add for others safety that after more study 296 Was found NOT recommended for 38 special.It needs high resistance to burn correctly.Seems like my brother once tried an old obscure published load once for 38 and the bullet would just fart out a few feet down range.By god if it doesn't rain today,I'll try the blue dot
 
#20 ·
I like Blue Dot, and it works good for me in 38 Special loads with 158 grain lead bullets. It produces a fair amount of soot in my experience, but I don't consider that to be a negative comment. Gravel roads tend to make my truck dirty, but I still prefer to drive on them over highways. I wish that it works for you.

Cheezywan
 
#6 · (Edited)
I shoot a lot of 38/357 loads both cast and jacketed. I've always gotten very good results with Unique, Bullseye, and 2400 in 38SPL loads using a 158g cast bullet. You might find someone who will trade you one of those powders for some of the AA9 you have. There are a lot more powders you can use in this caliber, these are just a few I keep on hand in quantity and they seem to work well. For your own safety, don't use any loads not published in a current up to date loading manual. Advice on loads not published that you get off the internet may or may not be safe. If you have to ask, then you're treading on dangerous ground. Be safe....you only have ten fingers and two eyes. Keep them safe. Good luck.
 
#7 ·
Back when I was pistol shooting, I used Red Dot or 700X for target loads with 158 grain .38 Special lead semi-wadcutters. Also used them in my .45 ACP target loads with 1.1 more grain of powder. Same powders I use for my 12 gauge target loads.
 
#8 ·
You have a lot of powder choices. If you plan to stay down at 800 fps, another old favorite is 231/HP38. I see from Hodgdon's site that Trail Boss will just pass the 800 fps mark, and it is perhaps the cleanest burning powder I've ever used. An economical choice would be Hodgdon Clays, for which the starting load of 2.8 grains produces 812 fps in their 7.7" test barrel. It is also very clean burning.
 
#10 ·
  • Like
Reactions: Marshal Kane
#11 ·
I started reloading 38 Specials in '69 but I don't consider myself to be as "sophisticated" as some so, if I cannot find any load data in my normal sources (9 manuals + texts in my library and powder manufacturers on line), I figger the combination is not suitable (like W296 in a .38 Special). My normal procedure is to finds an appropriate powder and be sure... K.I.S.S.
 
#12 ·
I appreciate that my head did not not get ripped off and stomped on as a result from my o.p. What a relief.If you never ask,then how the **** will a person know? The Lee mold came in this morning and it casts very pretty bullets.Lee has done it again.I have a box of fifty loaded behind 3.5 grains of HP-38 and I will test them when that lazy old Sun rises.But for now,I'm listening to Johnny Cash American Recordings on vinyl,and that is a soul moving sound in my book.Take care,fellow shooters.I'll post results soon.
 
#13 ·
BTW, I'm not advocating you run .296/H110 in 38 spcl.. I do, but this is something I perfected many years ago. It isn't a suitable powder for 38 spcl., but in my case I've worked the bugs out of the development, so it runs quite well for me. But it can either get a reloader into some pressures, or result in squibs if you don't know how to work with it in 38 spcl..

Wish you lived in the same county I live in, I'd trade you some of my powders for some of that AA9, I love it for my magnum loads. So if you live in Arizona and not half way across the state from Tucson, let me know.

SMOA
 
#31 ·
I did some similar experimentation with 296/110 a while back. Speer #9 and #10 had 35 spl loads listed. I had to get up to about 15 grains before it was shooting consistent, and that put me into 357 magnum territory. At listed max (10.8) velocities were all over the place.
 
#14 ·
SubMoa,I never ment to question any type of load development by anyone ,I have done simple but original wildcating with an oldass Turkish 8mm mauser at seventeen years old that I have not seen duplicated yet,and that was fifteen years ago by a green horn with an imagination.I'm over on the East Coast,sorry I can't get this powder to ya,I do not know anyone in this little town to trade with...
 
#19 ·
When even the powder manufacturer doesn't recommend loads for a particular cartridge using their own product it's a sure sign not to use that product.
That has long been one of my "propellant barometers".

Of the powders now becoming readily available, W231 has been one of the best for .38 Special and .357/.44M "Special in a Magnum case" loads, for clean burning and economy with the lead bullets I prefer. Titegroup is very good. Bullseye and Red Dot don't show up on line very often.

Blue Dot I like not in a .38, too slow, as well as Herco.

The good news, lots of options these days, and lots of good options at that.
 
#18 ·
FWIW: I just looked in my Lyman manual and the slowest powder listed for the 38 Special w/158 gr cast bullet is blue Dot. I tried 2400 several years ago with my 160 gr SWC in my 38s but it was kinda like shooting a sand blaster; lots of unburned powder spewed out all over the shooting bench...
 
#21 ·
. . . I tried 2400 several years ago with my 160 gr SWC in my 38s but it was kinda like shooting a sand blaster; lots of unburned powder spewed out all over the shooting bench...
Had the same experience with some old 2400 and light charges in .45 Colt. Lots of unburnt powder flakes which put scratches in my cases when I ejected. I think it was my fault for loading too light and had I loaded hotter, I might have gotten more complete combustion.
 
#26 ·
Bill is right. That is not .38 Special data, some of it is higher than .357 Mag. Sorry I'm going to have to delete it, as it is clearly not safe in a .38 Special.
 
#28 ·
I tried the blue dot with the lead swc bullet,accuracy good but unburned powder was such a problem that the cylinder got tight and wouldn't lock back into place after twelve shots.I was using hot primers and a firm crimp. Went back to hp-38,it's a good feeling load but the accuracy is not what I'm after.Hopefully I'll get to try different types soon.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top