Reloading for .38/.357

[MrSmitty]

Ok, My son and I both have .38/.357 revolvers, I have a reloader, but it is set up for .223
I want to get started on reloading the .38 spl. I have a Lyman reloading manual, and have decided to try Alliant Bullseye powder, I'll need small pistol primers, and dies, and shell holders..
The only reason I'm looking at the Bullseye, is that the manual has it for pretty much every bullet weight for the .38, but I'm looking to the braintrust, that is INGO,
Where would y'all start? I like the 158gr bullet, because it seems the optimal general bullet weight for the .38... Ideas? advice?
The guns used will be a Ruger Security 6 2 3/4" bbl... a Smith Model 64 4'bbl, and a 2' bbl Charter arms Mag Pug...Thank you all in advance
Powder?...
primers?
Bullet weight?

 

[MrSmitty]

wow...tough crowd.....

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

Give them a minute! LOL. I am NOT an expert, but for plinking, I might suggest a lighter bullet.

 

[Mij]

I typed up a post for IMR 4227, then deleted it. Got thinking about liability issues.

 

[Wabatuckian]

Ok, My son and I both have .38/.357 revolvers, I have a reloader, but it is set up for .223
I want to get started on reloading the .38 spl. I have a Lyman reloading manual, and have decided to try Alliant Bullseye powder, I'll need small pistol primers, and dies, and shell holders..
The only reason I'm looking at the Bullseye, is that the manual has it for pretty much every bullet weight for the .38, but I'm looking to the braintrust, that is INGO,
Where would y'all start? I like the 158gr bullet, because it seems the optimal general bullet weight for the .38... Ideas? advice?
The guns used will be a Ruger Security 6 2 3/4" bbl... a Smith Model 64 4'bbl, and a 2' bbl Charter arms Mag Pug...Thank you all in advance
Powder?...
primers?
Bullet weight?

Were I to reload .38/.357, I'd do a 158grn LSWC backed by Bullseye. This is probably what your S&W M64 is regulated for, and K-frames had issues with flame cutting the top strap when lighter bullets were used -- at least in the .357 Magnum versions.

I don't believe the Charter Arms or the Ruger had the flame cutting issue, but to might find out from the companies what bullet weights those pistols' sights are regulated for, if they're fixed.

 

[Mij]

Were I to reload .38/.357, I'd do a 158grn LSWC backed by Bullseye. This is probably what your S&W M64 is regulated for, and K-frames had issues with flame cutting the backstrap when lighter bullets were used -- at least in the .357 Magnum versions.

I don't believe the Charter Arms or the Ruger had the flame cutting issue, but to might find out from the companies what bullet weights those pistols' sights are regulated for, if they're fixed.

Backstrap ?

 

[billybob44]

This (.38 Spl. and .357 Mag.) is probably the most reloaded handgun round in the last 100 years or so==Sooo, you will get Hundreds of options an opinions on these loads==Just saying...

Bullseye is an excellent powder for TARGET USE. (Used MOST with 148Gr. WadCutters of some type)
Other powders do work well for everything else.

For ONE Do All-End All powder (For .38 Spl.) I like WW-231/HP-38 powder.
For Do-All powders in .357 Mag., I like HS-6 and PowerPistol powders best.

As for projectile weights, use the weight for reloads that you like best for Factory loads.

.38 Spl. revolvers for the last 100 years or so have been sighted/set up for the 158Gr. projectile of some sort.
.357 Mag. have had their revolvers set up for the "Man-Stopper" loads, for the most "Killing" with the 125Gr. projectiles of some sort=Mostly JHP.
The steady use of these SMOKING 125Gr. loads have been noted to damage MANY S&W 'K' Frame revolvers.
They "Loosen Up" most all of these revolver parts, and have been said to crack the forcing cone of many 'K' Frame size of revolvers.

LOTS of info out there on the InterWeb....Bill.

 

[billybob44]

Primers-Primers??
Who gots Primers??? HA.HA...

As for primers-Use anything that will fit in the holes..??
A Magnum primer has been suggested for some HEAVY charged .357Mag. loads with Ball Powders, if your revolvers will set them off reliably.

 

[Creedmoor]

I'm a Bullseye user in 38 Spec with wadd-cutters, Jacketed 38 and 357 and 44 loads, I go to 2400. No magnum primer needed.
Bullseye to me is a great economical powder that I use for lighter target loads in auto loading 38 special pistols. Next I go to Unique for most 9mm, 40 and 357 Sig hotter loads.
I would suggest you look more into the powders in the middle of your loading charts.

Bullseye is an easy powder to double charge with.

 

[Creedmoor]

Were I to reload .38/.357, I'd do a 158grn LSWC backed by Bullseye. This is probably what your S&W M64 is regulated for, and K-frames had issues with flame cutting the backstrap when lighter bullets were used -- at least in the .357 Magnum versions.

I don't believe the Charter Arms or the Ruger had the flame cutting issue, but to might find out from the companies what bullet weights those pistols' sights are regulated for, if they're fixed.

One of the big ones having flame cutting issues, were the Rugers in 357 Maxium. Ruger just stopped production as I recall.

 

[billybob44]

I'm a Bullseye user in 38 Spec with wadd-cutters, Jacketed 38 and 357 and 44 loads, I go to 2400. No magnum primer needed.
Bullseye to me is a great economical powder that I use for lighter target loads in auto loading 38 special pistols. Next I go to Unique for most 9mm, 40 and 357 Sig hotter loads.
I would suggest you look more into the powders in the middle of your loading charts.

Bullseye is an easy powder to double charge with.

Creed is very much on point here...
Also the Alliant 2400 is a "Forgiving" type of powder that you can use in the Magnums, and go from Mild to WILD..
Unkike WW-296/H-110 Magnum powder...Bill.

 

[Creedmoor]

Creed is very much on point here...
Also the Alliant 2400 is a "Forgiving" type of powder that you can use in the Magnums, and go from Mild to WILD..
Unkike WW-296/H-110 Magnum powder...Bill.

Thank you.

 

[Wabatuckian]

Backstrap ?

You ever think one thing and type another?

 

[billybob44]

Were I to reload .38/.357, I'd do a 158grn LSWC backed by Bullseye. This is probably what your S&W M64 is regulated for, and K-frames had issues with flame cutting the top strap when lighter bullets were used -- at least in the .357 Magnum versions.

I don't believe the Charter Arms or the Ruger had the flame cutting issue, but to might find out from the companies what bullet weights those pistols' sights are regulated for, if they're fixed.

I don't believe the Charter Arms or the Ruger had the flame cutting issue, but to might find out from the companies what bullet weights those pistols' sights are regulated for, if they're fixed.
^^^With .38 Spl. loads, probably will see that they are set for 158gr. projectiles..Bill.

 

[billybob44]

You ever think one thing and type another?

Well Wab., you got the "strap' part right=Top Strap...HA.HA...

 

[Wabatuckian]

One of the big ones having flame cutting issues, were the Rugers in 357 Maxium. Ruger just stopped production as I recall.

I think another issue with the K-frames was forcing cone cracking, wasn't it?

I've not owned a regular forever. The last one was an S&W M19-3 pinned and recessed. Beautiful revolver.

I had my heart set on shooting 125grn Federal SJHP though, and I heard that it couldn't handle a steady diet of those. I was young and dumb and wanted a J-frame for pocket carry anyway, and foolishly traded it off for a damned Rossi

I miss that 19-3. I've sold several guns over the years I wish I hadn't, but that Smith ties right there with my Winchester 9422 Magnum. That was a fun rifle.

 

[Wabatuckian]

Well Wab., you got the "strap' part right=Top Strap...HA.HA...

As I said above... You ever think one thing and type another?

'Twas fixed several minutes ago.

 

[Creedmoor]

I think another issue with the K-frames was forcing cone cracking, wasn't it?

I've not owned a regular forever. The last one was an S&W M19-3 pinned and recessed. Beautiful revolver.

I had my heart set on shooting 125grn Federal SJHP though, and I heard that it couldn't handle a steady diet of those. I was young and dumb and wanted a J-frame for pocket carry anyway, and foolishly traded it off for a damned Rossi

I miss that 19-3. I've sold several guns over the years I wish I hadn't, but that Smith ties right there with my Winchester 9422 Magnum. That was a fun rifle.

I was never a big K frame guy, I own one and thats a Model 53, that I bought in the 80's.
It gets shot quite often along with a Contender in Jet.

 

[Wabatuckian]

I was never a big K frame guy, I own one and thats a Model 53, that I bought in the 80's.
It gets shot quite often along with a Contender in Jet.

I always wanted an L frame and an N frame (specifically, an M1917 or similar.)

You guys are gonna have me hunting for one of I'm not careful

 

[Mij]

You ever think one thing and type another?

Yep. I knew what you meant, was just pulling your leg.

Figgered you had deer season on your mind.