Attica Jack #23953 215 Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 I am starting to reload for a new guy getting into our sport. What is a good load for a 38 special, I have Trailboss and 125 gr. Hi-tech coated bullets. Thanks Attica Jack 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Old Man Graybeard 307 Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 I have been using Fed small pistol magnum primers and been loading 110 grain truncated flat point for handgun and 158 grain rnfp for rifle. Both bullets seem to work fine with the same load. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
High Spade Mikey Wilson 282 Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 I load 4.0 grains of TB with a 125 grain RNFP using a regular SP primer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rider Rudy 141 Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 I load 3.2 grains of TB with 125 Gr. truncated flat point . Been shooting this load for 10 years. 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Attica Jack #23953 215 Posted October 24, 2020 Author Share Posted October 24, 2020 Thanks guys. I looked at some data for loading Trailboss and the max was 5.3gr. That is what I load my 44 mags. with so I thought I would ask you guys what you are using. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bgavin 1,466 Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 (edited) In 2009, IMR published a Trail Boss reduced loads procedure. 1) Find the level in the case where YOUR bullet sits when properly seated. 2) Fill the case with TB exactly to this point. 3) Dump the powder into your scale and weigh it. This is the maximum load (100% case fill, not compressed) 4) 70% of this weight is the Starting load IMR says this applies to both lead and jacketed bullets for handguns and rifles. The published loads from Hodgdon range from 3.0 grains to 5.3 grains. PSI range is 11,600 to 13,400. This is suitable for lead hardness of 9.1 to 10.5 BHN. The Hodgdon low range is 56% of their max 5.3 grains. Edited October 24, 2020 by bgavin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rance - SASS # 54090 322 Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 (edited) I have reloaded with TrailBoss since it came out.. 38 special.. I reload 110 grain TC to OAL of 1.435.. for pistol and rifle.. I use 3.0 grains for pistols. Little less recoil and 3.6 grains for rifle.. I have also used the same powder load with 105 TC and 125 TC with no problems.. Rance Thinkin' it's just what I do.. Edited October 26, 2020 by Rance - SASS # 54090 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marauder SASS #13056 1,045 Posted October 24, 2020 Share Posted October 24, 2020 Trailboss is a good powder, but I've found it quite dirty if you load low - and not always consistent. So I've had the best luck with 3.4 to 3.6 grains of TB under a 125 grain bullet. When I chronographed the lower bullets, they did not meet the standard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
watab kid 979 Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 im looking to start up serious when i get some primers - appreciate the thread just for the read , thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cariboo Lefty, SASS5391 4 Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 I load 3-3.5 grains of Red Dot with either a 110 or 125 grain bullet. I find Red Dot seems to give more consistent velocities with lighter loads, and the recoil seems to be less than a Bullseye load that produces the similar velocity, which I verified with a chrono.. I tried Red Dot after reading somewhere that Evil Roy liked it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Three Foot Johnson 2,384 Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 As above, anywhere between 70 and 100% load density with Trail Boss. Probably toward the lower end for CAS. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michigan Slim 5,064 Posted October 25, 2020 Share Posted October 25, 2020 16 hours ago, Cariboo Lefty, SASS5391 said: I load 3-3.5 grains of Red Dot with either a 110 or 125 grain bullet. I find Red Dot seems to give more consistent velocities with lighter loads, and the recoil seems to be less than a Bullseye load that produces the similar velocity, which I verified with a chrono.. I tried Red Dot after reading somewhere that Evil Roy liked it. The all I use other than Unique. I save Trail Boss for my big cases. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Original Lumpy Gritz 7,201 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 6 hours ago, Michigan Slim said: The all I use other than Unique. I save Trail Boss for my big cases. Give WW231 a try. Cleaner burning and meters better than TB. Also, it's not as temperature sensitive as TB. OLG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michigan Slim 5,064 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 I have a pound that a pard gave me. I'll look up some loads and give it a try. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
watab kid 979 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 i prefer red dot & clays for mine as well , i never exclude anything from my repertoire , but they are my preferred powders for all SASS - rifle. revolver and shotgun Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Original Lumpy Gritz 7,201 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 9 hours ago, Michigan Slim said: I have a pound that a pard gave me. I'll look up some loads and give it a try. Start in the middle of the load data. If Unique disappeared, I would go to 231. OLG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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