Ready to load .38 SPL

[steveodtw]

OK. I've got my brand new Lee Classic Turret Press set up to go with the Lee Safety Primer and Lee Pro powder measure. I thought I'd start with .38 Special because I shoot my Ruger LCR and GP100. I have their 4-die Carbide die set with factory crimp.

Should I look for 2 separate practice loads for the LCR (snubnose) and the GP100? Or one load using common powder and bullet? For now I plan to stick with factory ammo for CCW.

Any suggestions or favorites? Should I load the .38 in 357 cases for the GP100?

 

[LAH]

I normally load 357 handguns with only 357 brass.

I suggest you use the same bullet & powder for both handguns.

I like 3.5 grains of Bullseye or Promo in 38 cases with 'bout any 158 grain cast bullet. For the 357 case add half a grain.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Sure, start with 38 specials that you can shoot in either gun. When you have plenty of 38's then switch to 357's and use the same powder and bullet, if you like, just with a heavier load.

My favorite loads would be
158gr bullet in the 38 specials with 4.0gr of HP-38 or Universal .
158gr bullet in 357mag case with 5.0gr - 6.0gr of HP-38 or Universal.

 

[Lefty SRH]

I recently discovered that my GP100 really like 5.5gr of HS-6 and a 163gr LRN, very accurate. Havent' really found a nice plinkin .357 load I like yet. A load of 7.5gr 231 and a 150gr SWC showed some promise. But the gun does like heavy flat nose bullet with a large dose of H110, but that you need to work up to.
Have fun, be safe....

 

[FergusonTO35]

5.6 grains of Accurate #5 under a 158 grain cast flat point is an accurate, easy shooting load with enough punch for self defense. I use it in all my .38 and .357 wheelguns. Very clean burning too. This load duplicates the old +P factory loads from Federal and Remington but is standard pressure according to the data. Out of the 4.2" GP it delivers ~860 fps, in a snubby around 765.

 

[Sal1950]

Sure, start with 38 specials that you can shoot in either gun. When you have plenty of 38's then switch to 357's and use the same powder and bullet, if you like, just with a heavier load.

My favorite loads would be
158gr bullet in the 38 specials with 4.0gr of HP-38 or Universal .
158gr bullet in 357mag case with 5.0gr - 6.0gr of HP-38 or Universal.

+1 on Jimbo's recommendation.

For 38 spl I load,
Missouri Bullet Match 158 LSWC
4.2g Hodgdon Universal
Federal primers.
1.480 OAL

For 357 Mag everything is the same except increase the powder charge to 5.0g

These are both light loads and a great place to start.
Powder charges are way below max and very safe.
Sal