| Posted: Tue Oct 28th, 2008 12:25 AM |
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firecop019
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Hey guys, I just joined the group and was wondering if anyone had a favorite soft shooting load for the .38 snub. I've got one of the ultralight S&W's. It's a great backup/off-duty carry gun but it hurts to shoot with factory loads. I really need to do some practice with it but 10 or 20 rounds is about all I can take. The 50 round quals I gotta do every year are just plain awful.
I have a couple of jugs of Universal Clays to get used up and the bullet that I have quite a few of is the Meister 148gr DBB-DEWC.
It's been a few years since I've reloaded, I just got everything set back up after moving. So I'm not even sure what my old load was. I'll have to go break out my old laptop to get access to my load data. But if someone had something that worked I thought I'd give that a whirl.
Thanks
Dan
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| Posted: Tue Oct 28th, 2008 03:21 AM |
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2nd Post |
Charley
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I don't use Clays, most of my midrange handgun loads are Unique powered, but Hodgdon's website lists 2.3 grains of Clays for a 148 grain hollow based wadcutter., that gives just under 800 FPS. You should be able to substitute the DEWC. Being a fast powder, you could even reduce it to 2 grains and work up to a comfortable level.
Also listed is 2.5 grains of Clays with a 125 grain cast bullet for about 800 FPS. Being a fast powder, you should be able to reduce it a bit, and give yourself something a bit more comfortable to shoot. I would reduce it to 2 grains and work up to the level I wanted.
Both should be more comfortable than factory. TANSTAAFL, though, light guns are easy to carry, tougher to shoot well.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 28th, 2008 05:37 AM |
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CapnMidnight
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My snubby load I've been using for years is 6.5grs Blue Dot over a CCI 550 MAGNUM primer. I load a 158gr Hornady XTP, but it would work fine with your bullets. Every J frame I've shot this load in will hold 2" at 15yards.
W.D.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 28th, 2008 10:31 AM |
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firecop019
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When I first started out loading the Universal was what was reccomended and it works pretty well in the .40. I'll try a few loads at 2 and see how it does.
Thanks
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31st, 2008 02:00 AM |
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jjb2
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my favorite load for the .38 spl snubbie is the tried and true 3.0 grs. of bullseye under and 150 gr. swc or full wc......................
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| Posted: Fri Oct 31st, 2008 02:39 PM |
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saddlesore
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Back down to a 125-115 gr bullet or even a 138 gr WC and use 3.5 gr of Universal Clays. My wife shoots this in her Lady Smith
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| Posted: Sat Nov 1st, 2008 06:34 AM |
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CapnMidnight
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Bullet weight, Bullet weight, Bullet weight, if you ever have to use a snubby for what it's made for there is NO substitute for bullet weight. Experience speaking.
W.D.
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| Posted: Sat Nov 1st, 2008 02:37 PM |
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saddlesore
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Years ago the 138 gr hollow base wad cutter, laoded backward,s was considerd a very good defense load.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 2nd, 2008 07:08 PM |
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SCSlim
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Right on, re: the backwards-loaded HBWCs. Remember when Hydrashoks first came out? They were nothing more than a soft lead HBWC, with a little post in the middle of the hollow part. I bought a couple boxes of them (close to 30 years ago, now) to load for my hideout gun (a Mod. 36 S&W). Back then, the department I worked for wasn't real picky about what ammo we carried in our 2nd (or 3rd) gun. The one on the belt had to be loaded with a specific brand and load, but any others we carried as hideouts were pretty much OK with whatever we wanted to put in them, the theory being that if it got down to the point where you had to use the hideout, the crap had already hit the fan and you could use whatever you could get your hands on to save your own life, be that a hideout gun, a 2x4, or a rock.
Things changed somewhat over the years in that regard. Later on, the decree came down that we had to carry factory ammo in our hideouts. Then we had to qualify on the range with them. Then they could only be .38 caliber. It was pretty easy to tell where all that regulation originated - the city attorney's office.
Seems like no matter what profession you choose, sooner or later you end up working for a lawyer (or at least taking direction from one).
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| Posted: Sun Mar 15th, 2009 04:31 AM |
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getgot
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try bullseye 3.2 gr. pushing 148 gr. wadcutter. i shoot a S&W model 10 2" barrel. nice little load
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| Posted: Wed Mar 18th, 2009 09:46 PM |
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Gutshot
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Welcome here firecop. I had the same problem with my Model 60 38spl. when I first got it. It had the factory wooden grips and hurt to shoot when firing factory or home loads. I put a pair of Uncle Mikes on her and that cured the problem with out adding too much extra width. I load bullseye and unique with that bullet you have and is fairly accurate also. Have fun out there.
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firecop019
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I have the crimson trace grips on it and they help with control but recoil is still pretty stiff. I didn't realize my dad still had a few boxes of my previous reloads left so he brought those over. I loaded those pretty light for him and his model 10 so they work pretty well in my little 342.
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Drygulch
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To Firecop 19,
I have a J model S/S 60 and with wee tiny factory wood grips, any load was uncontrollable. I switched to Pachmeyer rubber griups and it seemed like a differant pistol. Plus-P's are no problem. Thare are many light loads out there. Prior to switching grips, I tried lite loads such as 3.5 Gr of HP-38 behind a 158 LWC, almost too light.
Rod
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Rapier
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Firecop,
I was an instructor for many years at an FOP range where all of the local LEO folks came to practice and qualify (not many practiced). Were you a student, I would tell you that first, make your gun comfortable for you, grips, sights, etc. Then, the #1 requirement for you is to practice, practice, practice. To facilitate the practice, reduce the loads to a comfortable level. However, at the end of each session go back to the carry load and shoot at least a cylender to reaffirm in your mind what you are trying to do. The idea is to improve with the carry load.
A soft load is achieved by a light load of fast powder under a light bullet. I would choose a little charge of Bullseye or 231 under a 110 or 125 Remington bulk bullet. The Remingtons are also easy to use in a speed loader.
I personaly like 2.7 gr of 231 under the 125 for a snubby practice load. The load is accurate and very mild. To jack it up you simply go to 5.1gr.
For your cary load, depending on restrictions, go with the lightest load under the heaviest bullet you can use. Control of the backup gun is what you want in a situation gone South. You do not want muzzle flash or an uncontrolable recoil. If you need the backup, you might well be in the dark so shoot the load in that gun in the dark, before you get yourself blinded in a bad situation.
If you have never seen them, a company by the name of Action Industries makes a gel gilled shooting glove that has protection for the web and the nerves in the palm of the hand. The glove is also an option as long as you take it off to shoot you last string of carry loads.
Best,
Ed
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sako06
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The rules I follow are reloads for practice, factory ammo for carry & qualifying.You could buy Federal Match 148gr wadcutters for carry & qualifying they are easy on the hands and wrist.For practice I use Red Dot & Bullseye in 38spec ammo,my 2" Rossi Mod 88 SS 5shot 38spec came with rubber grips. Last edited on Mon Aug 3rd, 2009 12:19 AM by sako06
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2571
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2.8 gr Unique/158 gr projectile
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Timberwolf
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2.8gr - 3.0gr Bullseye or 231 under the bullet you listed.
I load 2.8gr/Bullseye under the 158gr LSWC.
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