You should check out the loads for "Cowboy" 38 Special. There can be special considerations for use in a lever rifle, but the pistols are often fed 105 gr lead bullets with the goal of staying on target while cycling the guns as fast as possible. Hodgdon's website has the Cowboy section with 38 Special bullets going down to 90 gr. They also have loads for Short Colt and Long Colt, but trying to make your own brass at this stage is probably a bad idea.
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Just looking into reloading
- Thread starter Bobert1850
- Start date
stinkeypete
New member
Excellent advice above.
If you are just getting started and want to try some lower velocity .357 loads, I’ve always had good luck with bullseye powder. Even for .45acp, I used bullseye for light target loads.
It seems you’re interested in super light loads. You could research “wax bullets”... some of the cowboy competition fellas use them. I’ve never used them myself.
I have shot tin foil spitballs, just fooling around using primer only. I don’t recommend it, of course. They went “pop” and flew sorta in the direction pointed.
If you are just getting started and want to try some lower velocity .357 loads, I’ve always had good luck with bullseye powder. Even for .45acp, I used bullseye for light target loads.
It seems you’re interested in super light loads. You could research “wax bullets”... some of the cowboy competition fellas use them. I’ve never used them myself.
I have shot tin foil spitballs, just fooling around using primer only. I don’t recommend it, of course. They went “pop” and flew sorta in the direction pointed.
Bobert1850 wrote:
I'm the kind of person that needs to know the why and how with everything.
I understand the excitement and novelty of a new gun and a new caliber, but what you're talking about in your original post is akin to running before you have learned to stand.
Buy a reloading manual. Many people like Lee's ABCs of Modern Reloading, others prefer the Lyman manual, while I like the Hornady Handbook. For this purpose, they're all the same. Find the section near the front that talks about "how to reload".
Read it.
No, Study it. There will be a test.
That test comes when you start making these little pipe bombs that we call cartridges and you end up with the title "Sharpshooter" or "Lefty".
Once you have studied the manual, then start looking for the reqloaidn equipment that you want. Buy it and get familiar with it before you buy any components. When you're familiar with the equipment, buy components and then follow the directions in the manual to load in accord with published data.
When you've been doing that for a few years, then you'll have enough experience to know whether you're ready to start making wildcat rounds.
jetinteriorguy
New member
Seriously, get some 148 gr hollow base wadcutters, add 2.8 gr of Bullseye in .38 special brass and have fun. It's really just that simple. Just use good loading discipline and avoid a double charge and your good to go. KISS principle applies.