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Need Advice For .38 Special Reloads

6K views 54 replies 18 participants last post by  Ksman75 
#1 ·
Hi all. I'm new to the forum and to reloading. I need a bit of advice. I've been looking at different data sheets and it seems they all give me different starting and max grains for the bullets I am using. I am using Missouri Bullet Co's 140 gr Zingers and Titegroup powder. Hornady's data sheet shows a starting point of 3 grains and a max of 4.7. The Lee data sheet that came with my die set shows starting at 3.9 and max of 4.2. Titegroup's website shows starting at 2.5 grain and max of 4.4..... Why so many variences??

I was going to split the difference and go with 3.5 gains but I don't want to underpower the load. The shop where I bought my reloader said I should be OK with that but I'd like to get some other opinions. The rounds will be mainly for target practice and I'd like to keep them comfortable for my wife to shoot but I'd also like them to be reliable for self defense if the need ever arose.

Thanks to everyone for their input!
 
#40 ·
I'm using PC bullets, and use the load data for lead. I have yet had any problems as far as tumbling, fouling or accuracy. I only plink at the range, so I don't need a whole lot of accuracy, and my bet is anything I load, is more accurate than I am.

Just remember that you can't push lead, PC or plated like you can with jacketed, and you'll live to enjoy life a lot longer :D
 
#42 ·
We'll, I'm calling today a successful test. I took the 50 rounds I reloaded to the range this morning to see how they performed. They did pretty well. Not the tightest groupings but all were in center mass of the torso. I did 5 head shots and went wild with one. (My fault. Rushed the shot.)

All in all, I'm happy with my work. I wouldn't use these in competition shooting but I wouldn't use my .38 snubby for that either. I do feel confident they would work well in a self defense situation and they are good enough for a fun day at the range.

Off to load more!
 
#52 · (Edited)
#55 ·
There are also die/collet based puller, but I don't have any experience with them.

Also, unless all you want to save is the powder, don't use pliers to get the bullet out. With the puller, you can usually salvage everything.

Check the bullet after you get it out, (soft) lead has a tendency to deform sometimes.
 
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