A Different 38 SP Load

I don't imagine anyone ever bothered with 125gr or 140 gr bullets in Bullseye but while I wait for 148gr wadcutter bullets to arrive (could be several weeks) I am wondering if anyone might happen to have a load they could suggest for either bullet weight and either Bullseye or HP38 powder.  Those were the only weight bullets and the only powders I could find to buy during the great shortage and I have a bunch of both.

I am loading for a SW 14.

Are these cast or jacketed bullets?

They are coated (Acme Bullets)

I would START at 2.7 Bullseye and 3.0 HP38 and work up from there in .2 grain increments to the maximums of 4.0 BE and 4.6 HP38.

From Hodgdon website 

4.0 BE will recoil brutally! I would not go higher than 3.3.
Jon

With Brazos 125 gr Hi tech coated lead bullets in .38 spl, 4.4 - 4.5 gr WST is a very good load. About 1010-1020 fps out of my guns. If JHP bullets then 4.7 -4.9 gr WST. Jacket bullets not recommended for K frame S&Ws at these velocities/pressures. If W231 / HP38 then increase by 2/10ths.

Jon Eulette wrote:4.0 BE will recoil brutally! I would not go higher than 3.3.
Jon

With HBWC 4.0 BE is beyond a HP load I would not go over 3.1

I would start with 3.1 HP38 and cap it at 3.5 gn. 

I think BE likes a lighter bullet I did some cowboy loads using 105gn cone bullets and nothing was accurate but I did not try trail boss which should work. 

I was getter unspent powder and pressure signs using VN320 3.7gn.

I had some oversized 9mm (.358) 150gn SWC coated bullets and loading them with 2.9 VN 310 in 38 SPL cases and they shot more than OK.

rich.tullo wrote:I had some oversized 9mm (.358) 150gn SWC coated bullets and loading them with 2.9 VN 310 in 38 SPL cases and they shot more than OK.

How did you come up with that load?  Did you just use 38sp data for a 150g bullet?

What made them 9mm bullets if they were .358?

I ask because I have a lot of .356 9mm bullets, and though my 14-3 has a larger bore, its cylinder throats are actually .356 and I might try this if I can come up with a safe load.

I ordered the bullets over sized experiment for my 9MM. That experiment did not work. .357 to .359 is the range for 38 special. 

.356 will shoot but chances are they will be inaccurate and may lead. 

I do not think there is much difference between 150, 148 and 158s SWC. The big difference is 158 WC sit much lower in the case therefore need much less powder. I figured 2.9 is a good start load for SWC and I can go up to 3.5 and be ok with that bullet. I loaded some light just to see if they would lead or tumble.

Thanks.