.38 loadings

[OneEyed Doc]

Hello

I am interested in joining SASS and I have just started reloading. 

The only listings for .38 Special I see are listed as PISTOL loads.  Does anyone find different information for rifles, or do people use this for their lever guns to?  I have been loading some  'middle of the road'  rounds and they work fine in my 4" Smith revolvers

I don't even have all my guns yet but thought I would develop some loads and recipes for the near future.  Could anyone help enlighten me?

Thanks

One Eyed Doc

 

[Jim Brown]

I shoot the same loads in Pistol and Rifle.

I would consider loading Long Range Pistol Caliber Rifle separately if I want to use my match rifle for LR.

[Turquoise Bill, SASS #39118]

If you look at the barrel of a replica 1873 it indicates .357 Magnum as the caliber. I have been loading .357 cases with 3.0 grains of Clays or Clay Dot using a 125 grain RNFP bullet. Never had a problem. The toggle link guns can be sensitive to overall case length, that being said a good number of shooters do use 38 Special cases in their .357 rifles. 

Watch the overall length, you will want it to be 1.510-1.550 overall length. It is easiest to achieve that length with 125 grain  RNFP bullets, that shape also feeds well in the lever guns.

 

TB

Edited January 2 by Turquoise Bill, SASS #39118

[Sheriff Dill]

I also load the same loads for both our pistols and rifles. All .38 special. We do shoot with a few shooters that laps .38’s for pistols and .357 for rifle. 

[Longfoot]

One load for both my partner and I through 4 pistols and 2 rifles.

 

125 gn rnfp with the longest ogive I could find in that weight for reliable cycling in both a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Comp and an Uberti '73 Comp.

 

A charge of Titegroup at the low end of Hodgdon's published range for the combo, but, still within it.  

 

Separate, individual gun loadings for accurate pistol caliber long range and metallic silhouette shooting.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I load several calibers for SASS for both rifles and pistols.  I do not do different loads, but use the same in both the pistols and rifles.

[Shawnee Hills]

Keeping things as simple as possible, I've been loading Scarlett's 105 gr. bullets in 38 special cases to a 1.500" OAL.  This works well in the Ruger NMVs and feeds very well in 4 Uberti and two lighting rifles. 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

OP, have you attended any shoots yet? 

If NO, buy NOTHING until you have done so.

[Jack Spade]

You are going to want a whole lot lighter than middle of the road loads for SASS.  I load 38 specials in rifle and pistol.  I load my rifle cartridges long at 1.54 so I do load a different bullet for rifle and pistol but I just changed rifles so am going to play with OAL and see if I can get back to just one length.  As for powder charge most any fast shotgun powder loaded at 3 grains works well for low recoil 38 special.  Some of us load even lighter than that.  You can do a search and there is a loading manual that was developed for cowboy action loads, I don't have a copy or I would link it.  When loading rounds trying to decide what you like, remember only load a few rounds at a time and test the recoil and find what you like.  Probably the easiest powder to find right now is going to be titegroup/high gun or perfect pattern.   Bullets have to be cast lead but may be coated with powder coat or Hi-tek coating.  Several good places to get bullets, if you can't find them just ask.  A big majority of us only load federal primers in our cowboy loads because we have had work done on our firearms to lighten and speed up the actions and federals are the ones that work the best with lightened springs.  Before you buy much else, go to a few matches and ask a lot of questions.  Cowboy shooters are the nicest bunch you will ever meet and more than willing to help get a new guy started.  I have complete sets of guns and leather that I can load to new shooters until they get their own and almost every club has someone like me.  

[Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971]

Before you ask about primers: use small pistol primers for both your revolver and rifle ammo.  Small rifle primers are not needed for pistol-caliber rifles.

 

Powder: many are loading Tightgroup because it is available and suitable for CAS ammo.  I have loaded 231 (the same powder I load for semi-auto pistols) and it works too and is available.  Many other favored powders are unavailable as military contracts as consuming available powder.  Perfect Pattern is a shotgun powder very suitable for light shotgun loads.  However, Hodgdon does not list pistol loads for Perfect Pattern.  As a new reloader you should stick to published recipes.  

 

Brass: many load 38 Specials a bit long so they feed smoothly in a lever action rifle.  Once fired 38 Special brass is available online at a big discount to unfired brass.  Once-fired 357 mag brass is less available.  Avoid nickel-plated brass.

 

SNS Casting is an Illinois-based bullet supplier if you want to order from an in-state caster.

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

4 hours ago, Turquoise Bill, SASS #39118 said:

...Watch the overall length, you will want it to be 1.150-1.550 overall length...

 

TB

Bill, I don't know if that was a typo, but I've never seen any rifle, much less a '73, that would cycle 1.150" ammo.

 

[watab kid]

10 hours ago, Jim Brown said:

I shoot the same loads in Pistol and Rifle.

I would consider loading Long Range Pistol Caliber Rifle separately if I want to use my match rifle for LR.

this  , is the way to approach it - load for your rifle OAL and use the same in your revolver - it limits you to one session of reloading and keeps things simple at the loading table ,the long range side matches are a whole different matter - i load my main match on one loader , my side match on another , totally different operations , thats my approach , others may differ , but its my way  

[Rye Miles #13621]

I use the same load for rifle and pistol. It makes life much easier. 

[Go West]

Find what OAL your rifle likes and use that load for pistol and rifle. There are many powders that work with .38 Special, I tend to look at cost and availability when buying. My guns are tuned to use any small pistol primer. 

[Turquoise Bill, SASS #39118]

8 hours ago, watab kid said:

this  , is the way to approach it - load for your rifle OAL and use the same in your revolver - it limits you to one session of reloading and keeps things simple at the loading table ,the long range side matches are a whole different matter - i load my main match on one loader , my side match on another , totally different operations , thats my approach , others may differ , but its my way  

Your right typo, dang AI, made the corrections, Thanks.

TB

Edited January 2 by Turquoise Bill, SASS #39118

[Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903]

I load my .38's with 3.0gr. Clays, 125gr. bullet to 1.50 OAL. They run good in rifle or pistols. 

 

Randy

[watab kid]

11 hours ago, Turquoise Bill, SASS #39118 said:

Your right typo, dang AI, made the corrections, Thanks.

TB

thanks , i have fat fingers too when it comes to the keyboard , 

[Rye Miles #13621]

I load mine with 3.5 grs of TiteGroup with a 125gr bullet at 1.49 length. Works great in my 73’s and pistols. 

[Bison Bud]

We shoot "Pistol Caliber Rifles" in this game, so recipes for pistol loads are indeed the ticket for both the rifle and the handguns.  Many prefer to use the same ammo in both mainly for convenience, but my Marlin lever guns like a bit longer load and I generally either load the .357 cases or long crimp the .38's for them.  In any case, you sure don't need heavy loads, but don't get hung up on extremely light rounds as some do.  Your middle of the road loads will probably be just fine in the rifle and probably the handguns as well, but if your a bit recoil sensitive a lighter target load will do just fine.  There's plenty of good .38 Special load data online and in the manuals and a wide variety of suitable propellants.  Pay attention to the minimum load levels as some powders can get pretty inconsistent when you try to go lower.  Frankly, the .38 Special is a great round for this game and the +P loads are also suitable for self defense.  What's not to like!  Good luck and good shooting to all.

[Tall John]

I started with the same load for 38spl  rifle and pistol but started shooting Duelist so working on lighter loads for my pistols.

 

primers:  ONLY FEDERAL, they are softer and are reliable with light springs.

 

brass:  Starline is most desired but well cleaned and inspected range brass works just as well.  
 

powder:  Titegroup/High Gun for pistols.  Fast, hot, inexpensive, available.   I’m currently loading TITEWad for shotgun because of its low price but it’s virtually unavailable.  I’ll probably move to Alliant Promo when I run out of TITEWad in a few years.
 

bullets:  i now cast most of mine but when I buy them  i like slippery bullets.com. For PISTOLS 125grn RNFP; for Rifle 147NLG FP (allows infinite OAL adjustment and has a longer profile. Over 3.0grn Titegroup.

 

For ultra-light recoil in pistols, I really like the ProCast 97gr Hollow base FP bullet over 2.8gr Titegroup. 
 

ive attached a copy of Hodgdon’s Cowboy load data.

 

PSS: go to a few matches before you start spending your treasure.  Buy once-cry-once applies to this sport!

 

hodgdon_2002_blackpowder_reloaders_manual.pdf

[OneEyed Doc]

Some good information here.  Much obliged.

I now realize I must load to longer OAL for a rifle.

 

Does anyone shoot the Uberti Pistoleer (.357)?  I found a decent price on one near me.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

On 1/10/2026 at 8:35 PM, OneEyed Doc said:

Some good information here.  Much obliged.

I now realize I must load to longer OAL for a rifle.

 

Does anyone shoot the Uberti Pistoleer (.357)?  I found a decent price on one near me.

Make sure any rifle you choose. Will hold 10 cartridges in the magazine tube. 

[Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667]

On 1/10/2026 at 9:35 PM, OneEyed Doc said:

Does anyone shoot the Uberti Pistoleer (.357)?  I found a decent price on one near me.

Like almost all of the current Uberti 1873 revolvers (the Cimarron Arizona Ranger is an exception), the Pistoleer has the Cattleman 2 lockwork aka a “Three click”.  Some people don’t like them.

[Windy City Kid]

On 1/1/2026 at 12:14 PM, OneEyed Doc said:

Hello

I am interested in joining SASS and I have just started reloading. 

Welcome aboard. Whereabouts in IL you at? 

["Big Boston"]

On 1/1/2026 at 2:03 PM, Sheriff Dill said:

I also load the same loads for both our pistols and rifles. All .38 special. We do shoot with a few shooters that laps .38’s for pistols and .357 for rifle. 

 

I mostly load seperate loads for pistol and rifle, and prefer to load for the chamber, 38 Spl in my 38 Spl. guns, and 357 in my 357s.

 

As already stated, a 1873 has specific OAL needs, and for feeding properly, there are certain bullets shapes that work better than others.

 

However, I have a 1866 chambered 38 Spl. and a 1851 open top also chambered 38 Spl. And I only have one load for them because that load works well in both. I do have to load the last shell into the '66 carefully, as the meplat is a bit small and the last shell can be loaded a little crooked if your not diligent. A few jams at the line cured me of sloppy loading. 

 

I also have a pair of SASS 357 New Vaqueros, and for those I load Wadcutters (LEE 357-148 WC) in 357 brass. This does have several advantages, first the load will shoot almost to the as issued sights,  the crud ring issue is avoided, and you can load using 38 WC data, with perhaps a couple tenths of a grain more powder to duplicate 38 WC velocities. But you do lose the advantage of only having one ammo for everything. I shoot a lot of different calibers, it's not an issue to me. That being said, my rifle load will work in my revolvers, so that is always an option. 

 

BB

[OneEyed Doc]

Windy City Kid- Lockport.  SW suburbs.  I am looking for nearby club.  I see Fort Beggs Defenders and Kishwaukee Valley Regulators.  I'm in no hurry though, still need a rifle and another revolver.

["Big Boston"]

I think we (the cowboys that have replied) have given you answers as it applies to shooting cowboy action, but have not actually answered your question. 

 

For the same cartridge, there is often pistol data and rifle data. The reason being mainly the difference in barrel length, but it may also be that for a rifle, sometimes the pressure can be considerably higher. This was more historical. For instance, the 44-40 at one time had rifle only factory ammunition, and it was marked, to be only used in the Winchester 1892. The velocity increase made the 44-40 effective out to a longer range. However, the pressure was too high for the weaker guns. You can see the problem, because the ammo would fit in any old 44-40, there were people that would shoot it in these and sometimes the results weren't good. The industry, in response, introduced new calibers. Black Powder ammo could not be loaded light, so light loading wasn't an issue until we were well into the smokeless era. If loaded to light, especially a jacketed bullet, the bullet could fail to exit the barrel. That issue with that is fairly obvious. Lead bullets tend to slide easier, the load has to be pretty light before it won't leave the barrel. But it does happen, even in revolvers. The culprit is usually a squib load, which can have various causes. 

 

But, if you look back in time, to some of the older books, you can find data for the 38 Special rifle. Obviously this doesn't have an application for Cowboy Action, but I've attached the page for informational/educational purposes. Please note the warning on the last lines of the text. Hornady didn't specify using +P brass, just that you should identify and segregate the rifle and pistol ammo. Times have changed, the headstamp is the identifier we recognize and this loading practice is frowned upon. IOW, loading 38 +P or higher pressured ammo in ordinary 38 Special brass is just not good practice. Ammunition can outlive the reloader, and human nature is such that if it fits, the stupids will shoot it. 

 

My answer isn't an in depth technical paper, basically it's just a overview, and may contain some misinformation, for that I apologize,  but it should provide a basic understanding of the issue. 

 

BTW: Some of the reloading manuals will have Contender pistol data for rifle cartridges, loads specifically for a shorter barrel, so a reloader can load for the velocity he wants for his application. 

 

I hope this answers your question.

 

Hornady 38 Special data II.pdf

 

BB

[Tyrel Cody]

20 hours ago, OneEyed Doc said:

Windy City Kid- Lockport.  SW suburbs.  I am looking for nearby club.  I see Fort Beggs Defenders and Kishwaukee Valley Regulators.  I'm in no hurry though, still need a rifle and another revolver.

Might find what you're looking for AT a match. Probably find someone to guide you in reloading for Cowboy Action there too...

[Singin' Sue 71615]

On 1/1/2026 at 4:19 PM, Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 said:

Before you ask about primers: use small pistol primers for both your revolver and rifle ammo.  Small rifle primers are not needed for pistol-caliber rifles.

 

Powder: many are loading Tightgroup because it is available and suitable for CAS ammo.  I have loaded 231 (the same powder I load for semi-auto pistols) and it works too and is available.  Many other favored powders are unavailable as military contracts as consuming available powder.  Perfect Pattern is a shotgun powder very suitable for light shotgun loads.  However, Hodgdon does not list pistol loads for Perfect Pattern.  As a new reloader you should stick to published recipes.  

 

Brass: many load 38 Specials a bit long so they feed smoothly in a lever action rifle.  Once fired 38 Special brass is available online at a big discount to unfired brass.  Once-fired 357 mag brass is less available.  Avoid nickel-plated brass.

 

SNS Casting is an Illinois-based bullet supplier if you want to order from an in-state caster.

Ditto on followimg powder manufacturer's load data

 

One reason I like APP for bp is it is pretty easy...fill to the 3/4 full/ bullet seating

[MBFields]

105 and 125's with 2.8-2.9 of clays at 1.46 oal in both rugers and all my rifles, uberti and 3 miroku's and a henry 357 sass big boy. All 38 spl.