Recommend a good small game load for the .38 spl

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:27 am

There are a couple places I'm planning on hunting partridge this fall where my 1894c would make more sense than my shotgun. What .38 loads would best suit this application?

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:39 am

158gr 358156 HP over 1.5 to 2gr Titegroup.

It will MAYBE make 800fps. Nice and safe short-range load. Uber Quiet too.

Jason_W · Post by **Jason_W** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:41 am

Old Ironsights wrote:158gr 358156 HP over 1.5 to 2gr Titegroup.

It will MAYBE make 800fps. Nice and safe short-range load. Uber Quiet too.

I might substitute a solid lead projectile for the HP, though. These are roughly 1-2 pound birds. I'd rather not have too big an exit wound.

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:07 pm

Here's a good one:

Stack 2 or 3 and have fun...

My mould should be coming someday.

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:28 pm

Any WC load like a HB 148 gr. WC over Bullseye, 231, etc... One does have to single load them but they are ideal.

wm · Post by wm » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:33 pm

I used an article by Mike Venturino that was published I would guess about 10 years ago to load up some 38 spl cartridge cases with three 35 caliber lead balls. If you are interested PM me and I'll see if I can find it and make some copies to mail to you.

I used these out of 4" & 6" barreled with revolvers and they seemed to be up to the task but I was always curious how they would perform out of a rifle. I did worry a little bit about sticking one in the barrel but I might just be a little overly cautious.

Wm

Comal Forge · Post by **Comal Forge** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:40 pm

I agree with Hobie - 148gr lead and a light load of 231 or Bullseye is all you need. 158 RN would also be good if you could get them more cheaply.

Many years ago, I knew a fellow who worked for the state prison system and they would practically give away bricks of 38 WC loads that were loaded with a swaged Speer bullet and a small load of Bullseye. IIRC, they cost us five bucks for a 500 round carton. Ah, the good old days...

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:16 pm

how about a 158g wadcutter type lead bullet with @ 3.8 g. of titegroup. My standard 38 special plinking load.

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:56 pm

a .360 lead ball over 3.5 grains of Bullseye

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:51 pm

Any good 150 to 160 grain cast SWC or FWC going 750 to 850 fps. The various loading manuals will give you hundreds of different combinations and one is no better than the other.

Lefty Dude · Post by **Lefty Dude** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:49 pm

For CAS & SASS we use a 105 gr. TC bullet. It looks like a 125 and it seats the same. We use the same loading as the 125 & 140's.

It is a very accurate round.

Meister makes them, and it is called the 105 Rattler.