38 spl ?

R

rebs

New member
I loaded some 38 special, 158 gr LSWC with 3.3 of bullseye powder and they were very dirty, I mean black on my hands and the revolver. A S&W model 19 4" barrel. What makes this load so dirty ?

Does anyone have a cleaner load for a 158 gr LSWC using bullseye powder ?
I have 3 lbs of bullseye and I would rather use it than go out and buy another powder unless its necessary.

Also I load 148 gr HBWC with 2.7 of bullseye and it is fairly clean.
 
Bullseye is dirty stuff. There is no load that will be cleaner. It really isn't any cleaner with the target load, you're just burning less of it.
The black on your hands is coming from the cylinder gap. Don't think it'll make any difference, don't remember(had a 4" M19 for eons), but try loading .357 cases to .38 velocities.
 
Bullseye isn't as "clean burning" as some newer powders, but will burn "dirtier" with light loads. I'd go up a couple tenths of a grain and use a heavy crimp...
 
+1 What mikld said.

Also, cast projectiles will tend to contribute to the dirtiness from the flame front contacting the rear of the bullet. I don't recall how well it meters, but Hodgdon Clays is some of the cleanest burning powder I've used. It, plus copper plated bullets might cure most of the problem.
 
THank you for the replies. The load of 2.7 BE with a 148 ge wc in 38 brass is a lot cleaner, so I will either stick with the 38 cases or try more powder in the 357 cases.
I cleaned it again today after shooting and cleaning the chambers is not really all that hard to do.
I was thinking the 357 cases might be more accurate because of the increase in jump with the 38 cases, maybe I am wrong ?
 
A significant factor could also be the particular bullet lube used. Some smoke a LOT more than other lubes, and can also produce a lot more soot.
 
i like the W231 and I do like a tight crimp. I use W231 in my 380 25 9mm 38SP 357M 40MM 44SP 44M I do have some 180 gr that I shoot in my 44M
 
Yep, Hodgdon Clays, plated bullets and gloves.
About as clean shooting as it gets.
Those old timey powders are from a different era, when folks chawed tobbacy, had lead fillings in their teeth and didn't wash before dinner.
Or you could take up archery - even cleaner and quiet, too.
 
The different lube on the bullets is probably the culprit as much as the powder is.

Maybe try a tighter crimp to get more complete burn...
 
I loaded some 38 special, 158 gr LSWC with 3.3 of bullseye powder and they were very dirty,
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Wondering about how much crimp you used. I guess a fast burning powder like BE shouldn't require much, but crimp and where you place it are variables to consider.
 
I guess I glossed over the fact you're shooting cast bullets (only had 1/2 cup of coffee). Bullet lube contributed greatly to smoke, gunk, dirty shooting much more than powder...
 
The load of 2.7 BE with a 148 ge lwc is way less smoky than the ones I loaded in 357 cases. If it was the bullet or lube wouldn't they both be dirty ?
 
The load of 2.7 BE with a 148 ge lwc is way less smoky than the ones I loaded in 357 cases. If it was the bullet or lube wouldn't they both be dirty ?
Click to expand...

You had indicated earlier that the 148 was an HBWC, common for that weight. The increased seating depth of the wad cutter would likely reduce the chamber volume and increase pressure significantly, improving powder burn in the process. Going up a couple tenths to the max on the more conventional 158 gr bullet, as another suggested, could be the solution to getting a cleaner burn.
 
Bullseye will always be dirty, but you can go up to 3.5 grains and you're not even in +P range and improve it greatly.
 
I loaded some 38 special, 158 gr LSWC with 3.3 of bullseye powder and they were very dirty, I mean black on my hands and the revolver. A S&W model 19 4" barrel. What makes this load so dirty ?
Click to expand...

That's Bullseye.

157 grain LSWC, in .38, I tend to go with a bit hotter load. 3.7 grains of Bullseye.
 
Any chemist can tell you that "bullseye + lead" is, in fact, the official chemical formula for dirt and smoke (BE+Pb => Drt+Smk). :D

"bullseye + lead" makes an excellent target load, but as others noted, it's filthy and smokey. Switching powders (I'm another Clays fan for mid-level power) and using plated or jacketed bullets is much cleaner.
 
As the others have said it could be the bullet lube, crimp and simply not enough powder.

I have a similar problem with a loading that I used for 7.62x 39. My light bullet loads for kids with a 90 grain pistol bullet are very dirty. Same bullet alloy, same lube but a 160 grain bullet and the burn is much cleaner. In my case the 90 grain bullet is just to light to obtirurate enough for a proper burn even though I use a good crimp.

I let the kids shoot up the 90 grain stuff and then reload with 160 grain bullets. In another few years the kids will be large enough to handle standard loads and all the 90 grain bullet loads will be used up. Just means the SKS has to get a thorough cleaning.
 
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