38 special load for a 357Max Handi

[nova71]

I have about 25 pounds of .358 SWC bullets cast from wheel weights @ 160-162gr weight. I also have a large box of 38 Spec cases so I thought I would load some for plinking with my 357Max Handi Rifle. what is a good load to try in this rifle? How well do the pistol data work in the longer barrel of the rifles? I don't want to stick a bullet half way down    I'm looking for a good all around load to try. and maybe use in my Marlin 1894 also.

[spinafish]

I would just go with one of the stouter loads listed for the powder you intend to use( and that bullet weight of course) and have at it.  should be fun..

[Lon371]

http://www.reloadammo.com/38loads.htm
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158 grain LSWC or LRN (Semi-Wad, Rnd. Nose or flat point)
    Bullseye   3.6 gr.     810 FPS
    Bullseye   3.8 gr.     869
    Unique     3.5 gr.     697 (mild load)
    Unique     4.3 gr.     920
    Unique     4.5 gr.     975 (actual in 7" bbl revolver)
    Unique     4.5 gr.     908 (5" bbl,powder UP)
       (Hi=930  Lo= 885.4   Spread=44.2 fps)
    Unique     4.5 gr.     797 (5" bbl,powder DOWN - see note)
       (Hi=879.5  Lo= 729.4   Spread=150.1 fps)
    Unique     4.9 gr.     938
    Universal  3.5 gr.     756 (Cowboy load)
    Universal  4.5 gr.     974
    Clays      2.8 gr.     812 (cowboy load)
    Clays      3.1 gr.     871
    HP38       3.1 gr.     782 (Cowboy load)
    HP38       3.7 gr.     834
    No. 2      4.0 gr.     756 (published load)
    No. 2      3.6 gr.     808 (in 7" bbl)
      hi=849  lo=728  ES=122 (powder up and down)
    No. 2      3.2 gr.     725 (in 7" bbl)
      hi=770  lo=679  ES=91 (powder up and down)
    No. 5      5.8 gr.     841 (published)
    No. 5      5.0 gr.     736 (in 7" bbl)
      hi=763  lo=688  ES=75 (powder up and down)
    No. 5      4.6 gr.     694 (in 7" bbl)
      hi=740  lo=648  ES=92 (powder up and down)
    No. 5      5.9 gr.     885
    231        3.1 gr.     753 (do not use less)
    231        4.5 gr.     830 (published MAX)
    231        4.0 gr.     898 (actual in 7" bbl revolver)
    WST        3.7 gr.     770 (MAX)
    WAP        4.5 gr.     681 (published)
    WAP        4.3 gr.     752 (in 7"bbl)*
      hi=821  lo=684  ES=137 (powder up and down)
    WAP        4.3 gr.     734 (in 4 5/8" bbl)*
      hi=815  lo=637  ES=178 (powder in normal positions)
    WAP        4.0 gr.     658 (in 7" bbl)*(NOT recommended)
      hi=714  lo=549  ES=165 (powder up and down)   
*WAP is not best choice for .38 special, too slow and inconsistent.   
    540        6.8 gr.     880
    VV N320    3.9 gr.     872 (published)
    VV N320    3.2 gr.     723 (in 7" bbl)(same in 4 5/8" bbl)
      hi=758  lo=693  ES=65 (powder up and down)(DO NOT USE LESS)
    VV N340    4.8 gr.     882
    Zip        3.3 gr.     711
    Zip        3.7 gr.     846
   Competition 2.6 gr.     801
    True Blue  4.0 gr.     772
    HS-6       6.3 gr.     921 (hot for normal 38)
  PowerPistol  4.4 gr.     822
    Trail Boss 4.2 gr.     872  Hi=886, Lo=861, ES=25
      This is a Carolina Cast bullet SWC-great cowboy load)
 N32C Tin Star 4.2 gr.     856 start
 N32C Tin Star 5.6 gr.   1,004 max

 For a cat sneeze load in my H&R 357 maxi
I  worked with Bullseye and went backwards. I went down to 1.5gr. It was quieter than a .22. Becareful with it in the Lever, you cant see down the barrel
 
Lonny

[tacklebury]

Loading with 4.2 gr. Unique here. 

[Lon371]

 Been thinking about what you said "25 pounds of .358 SWC bullets cast from wheel weights"   You will want to keep tabs on cleaning that chamber. To match lead could cause problems when you go back to Maxi brass.
 
Lonny

[nova71]

yeah Lon371, I have been thinking about that too. I use a Lewis Lead remover in my 38 and haven't had much trouble but i didn't know about the extra jump of the 38 in the Max chamber.

[TNBilly]

Nova,
  Lon gave ya a nice assortment!  Just remember if you're tempted to load at a level that'll give you around 1000fps or better in a 6-8 inch barrel you'll be up in the serious leading range with the rifle barrel.  That especially if you don't lube a little better than the commercial casters do.

[nova71]

thanks guys for the info,yeah TNBilly I think I'll start with 4.2gr Unique both Lon and Tacklebury list that or close to it and it's about half of what I load for the 357Mag, so I think I'll start there

[nitesite]

I think I'll start with 4.2gr Unique

Seems like a good starting point to me; it should shoot great.  The MAX pistol load with Unique for .38 +P is up at 5.2-grains with that bullet.