reloading for 2" 38 special revolver

Hammer · 05-09-2008, 08:56 PM

I would like reloading info for reloading 158 gr lead semi wadcutter
for 2" revolver.
I will be using win small pistol primers- winchester brass- once fired- cleaned - using a lyman press.
I have loaded for 6-& 7 1/2 Rugers-
I would like a nice mild load for wife to practice with.
I can use most pistol powders.
I am new to this forum- so Hi- hope some one with experience reloading for 2" pistol can be of some help.
Respectfully: Remmah143@aol.com

Mike Franklin · 05-09-2008, 09:29 PM

148 gr LWC, 3 gr Bulls eye, over a standard small pistol primer.
You should start with 2.5 gr Bullseye and work up. When it shoots
ok stop there.

Opps, you want a 158 gr Bullet? Ok, use the same powder but start at 3.0 gr and go no higher than 4.0 gr.

runfiverun · 05-10-2008, 12:55 AM

the quicker powders like bullseye,231,clays are your best bet
look at hodgdons website they will give all kinds of data.

Bookman · 05-10-2008, 04:03 PM

2.8 grs. of Bullseye will work with a 158 gr. lead bullet.

Mike Franklin · 05-10-2008, 04:09 PM

You might try data for Trail Boss too. A bunch'a the Cowboy Shooters are using it in .38 spl.

mitch_mckee · 05-10-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammer

I would like reloading info for reloading 158 gr lead semi wadcutter
for 2" revolver.
I will be using win small pistol primers- winchester brass- once fired- cleaned - using a lyman press.
I have loaded for 6-& 7 1/2 Rugers-
I would like a nice mild load for wife to practice with.
I can use most pistol powders.
I am new to this forum- so Hi- hope some one with experience reloading for 2" pistol can be of some help.
Respectfully: Remmah143@aol.com

Frankly, I'd go with a 125 grain bullet to get more velocity out of that short barrel.

Teuthis · 05-10-2008, 04:46 PM

Some of the reloading manuals should have recipes for short barrels. I would seek out those for safety's sake. Definitely a lighter bullet too, as Mitch_Mckee recommends. Wadcutters are good self defense rounds; 148 grains is good from a snubbie. But consult the manuals on the powder and charge.

Hammer · 05-10-2008, 07:08 PM

Thanks to every one. The reason i stated 158 gr lwc, was because i have over 1000
I agree the 148 would be better suited- but since i have the 158- i would like to use them up. Trail Boss sounds great as i know the Cowboy shooters shoot slower loads.
Thanks again- hope to be back here again soon
Respectfully Hammer

billy · 05-10-2008, 07:22 PM

i use trailboss and it is some mild stuff.
with a 4.0 gr. load i averaged 708fps.
158 gr.swc
38 sp.
ruger sp101 3 in. bbl.

BPierce · 05-10-2008, 10:25 PM

Had good luck with 700X because it burned clean and my brother was buying it in bulk for shotguns, so it was cheep.

Pumpkinheaver · 05-10-2008, 10:34 PM

Bullseye will work great out of your gun with the 158 gr bullet. I use that combo for pin shoots in pocket revolver class.

Parson Colt · 05-11-2008, 06:55 PM

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Find a suggested load in the 800 fps range. Hodgdon uses 7.7 inch test barrels, and the faster powders that hit 700 to 900 in their data should work just fine. I would use ww231 or HP-38, which are virtually the same powder. I never warmed up to bullseye because it leaves such a slimey residue on the gun.

05-09-2008, 08:56 PM	#1
Hammer Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 2 Trader Rating: (0)	reloading for 2" 38 special revolver I would like reloading info for reloading 158 gr lead semi wadcutter for 2" revolver. I will be using win small pistol primers- winchester brass- once fired- cleaned - using a lyman press. I have loaded for 6-& 7 1/2 Rugers- I would like a nice mild load for wife to practice with. I can use most pistol powders. I am new to this forum- so Hi- hope some one with experience reloading for 2" pistol can be of some help. Respectfully: Remmah143@aol.com

05-09-2008, 09:29 PM	#2
Mike Franklin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 1,277 Trader Rating: (0)	148 gr LWC, 3 gr Bulls eye, over a standard small pistol primer. You should start with 2.5 gr Bullseye and work up. When it shoots ok stop there. Opps, you want a 158 gr Bullet? Ok, use the same powder but start at 3.0 gr and go no higher than 4.0 gr. Last edited by Mike Franklin; 05-09-2008 at 09:33 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

05-10-2008, 07:22 PM	#9
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 10,865 Trader Rating: (0)	i use trailboss and it is some mild stuff. with a 4.0 gr. load i averaged 708fps. 158 gr.swc 38 sp. ruger sp101 3 in. bbl. __________________ i'll keep an eye out for ya! Last edited by billy; 05-10-2008 at 07:27 PM.

05-10-2008, 10:34 PM	#11
Pumpkinheaver Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,311 Trader Rating: (0)	Bullseye will work great out of your gun with the 158 gr bullet. I use that combo for pin shoots in pocket revolver class. __________________ Just because your paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you!

05-10-2008, 12:55 AM	#3
runfiverun Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: soda springs idaho Posts: 241 Trader Rating: (0)	the quicker powders like bullseye,231,clays are your best bet look at hodgdons website they will give all kinds of data.

05-10-2008, 04:03 PM	#4
Bookman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: 10 paces south of Canada Posts: 738 Trader Rating: (0)	2.8 grs. of Bullseye will work with a 158 gr. lead bullet.

05-10-2008, 04:09 PM	#5
Mike Franklin Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 1,277 Trader Rating: (0)	You might try data for Trail Boss too. A bunch'a the Cowboy Shooters are using it in .38 spl.

05-10-2008, 04:46 PM	#7
Teuthis Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 7 Trader Rating: (0)	Some of the reloading manuals should have recipes for short barrels. I would seek out those for safety's sake. Definitely a lighter bullet too, as Mitch_Mckee recommends. Wadcutters are good self defense rounds; 148 grains is good from a snubbie. But consult the manuals on the powder and charge.

05-10-2008, 07:08 PM	#8
Hammer Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 2 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks to every one. The reason i stated 158 gr lwc, was because i have over 1000 I agree the 148 would be better suited- but since i have the 158- i would like to use them up. Trail Boss sounds great as i know the Cowboy shooters shoot slower loads. Thanks again- hope to be back here again soon Respectfully Hammer

05-10-2008, 10:25 PM	#10
BPierce Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Minnesota (Becker County) Posts: 140 Trader Rating: (0)	Had good luck with 700X because it burned clean and my brother was buying it in bulk for shotguns, so it was cheep.

05-11-2008, 06:55 PM	#12
Parson Colt Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Campbell-Lot Ranch, Indian Territory Posts: 4 Trader Rating: (0)	http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp Find a suggested load in the 800 fps range. Hodgdon uses 7.7 inch test barrels, and the faster powders that hit 700 to 900 in their data should work just fine. I would use ww231 or HP-38, which are virtually the same powder. I never warmed up to bullseye because it leaves such a slimey residue on the gun.