Started loading 38 special

[Attica Jack #23953 215]

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

[Old Man Graybeard 307]

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.

[High Spade Mikey Wilson 282]

I load 4.0 grains of TB with a 125 grain RNFP using a regular SP primer.

[Red Rider Rudy 141]

I load 3.2 grains of TB with 125 Gr.  truncated flat point .  Been shooting this load for 10 years. 

[Attica Jack #23953 215]

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.

 

[bgavin 1,470]

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

[Rance - SASS # 54090 322]

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

[Marauder SASS #13056 1,045]

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.

[watab kid 979]

im looking to start up serious when i get some primers - appreciate the thread just for the read , thanks 

[Cariboo Lefty, SASS5391 4]

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.

[Three Foot Johnson 2,384]

As above, anywhere between 70 and 100% load density with Trail Boss. Probably toward the lower end for CAS.

[Michigan Slim 5,066]

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.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz 7,203]

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 

[Michigan Slim 5,066]

I have a pound that a pard gave me. I'll look up some loads and give it a try.

[watab kid 979]

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 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz 7,203]

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