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Author Topic: .38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD  (Read 1421 times)

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Offline Chris

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.38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« on: July 10, 2004, 04:27:14 AM »
Guys:

Just bought a .38/.357 Vaquero.  I need a soft and reliable .38 Special "powder-puff" load for my daughter to shoot...so she can punch nice round holes in paper to 50ft.

Ideas please.

Thanks guys!  ...Chris   :D
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Offline HWooldridge

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.38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #1 on: July 10, 2004, 04:29:44 AM »
A light charge of Bullseye and 148 gr WC is still a good choice for very light loads.
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Offline Chris

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.38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #2 on: July 11, 2004, 03:40:41 PM »
Guys, I'm new to pistol cartridge reloading...guess I wasn't specific enough in my first post.

Primer?
Powder..and weight?
Bullet type & weight?

Thanks again.

...Chris
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Offline Jerry Lester

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.38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #3 on: July 11, 2004, 03:57:15 PM »
I used to load some light loads for plinking(quieter) around the house. They were definately powder puff loads in any gun. Here's the load...

WSP primers
4.5g of Unique
Any 125g jacketed bullet

They were actually quite accurate too.
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Offline tony212

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.38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2004, 11:13:35 AM »
Here is a load I worked up for my wife to shoot. It is very mild.
.357 Remington case, Federal 200 primer, 4 grains 700x, 158 grain TNT lswc.  Velocity about 725 fps, recoil very low, muzzle blast very low.
Try this load I think you'll find it very pleasing to shoot.
Tony212
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Offline Catfish

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.38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #5 on: July 12, 2004, 05:39:34 PM »
2.5 to 3 grns. of Bullseye powder with a 158 grn. semi-wadcutter should drive tacks and have no recoil.
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Offline ajj

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.38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2004, 04:26:11 AM »
Get 158 RN cast bullets in bulk. They're easy to handle and load and accurate in almost every gun. Use 2.6 Hodgdon Clays. Not International or Universal. Just Clays. Any primer. Range brass. Excellent, accurate, clean burning target load used by me and several buddies in dozens of different guns for years.
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Offline kmystry

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Re: .38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2008, 05:59:03 AM »
IMR TrailBoss powder is a winner for .38 powder puff loads.  It's a Cowboy Action Shooting powder and it's designed for just what you're looking for.  I'd use a .7cc Lee scoop (about 3.2 grs.) with a 125 gr. LRNFP for a real soft shooting. low recoiling round.  You daughter will love you for introducing her to .38 Special under such a round instead of scaring the BeeJezz out of her with something that hurts her hand...I know...I did that to my daughter with a +P in a Smith 637 Airweight and she won't touch a .38 again. ;D
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Offline cwlongshot

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Re: .38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2008, 01:18:03 PM »
Quote from: HWooldridge on July 10, 2004, 04:29:44 AM
A light charge of Bullseye and 148 gr WC is still a good choice for very light loads.

 I couldn't agree more, this is the way to go for what your asking.

I do not like to post loads as we are all human and make mistakes. I would very much hate to miss quote something that hurts someone. But the load is in your loading manual. Its just a couple grains of powder.

 If your new to loading thats where your nose should be stuck anyhow.  ::) ;D (No offence ment)


 Good luck,
 CW
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Offline stimpylu32

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Re: .38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2008, 02:46:40 PM »
Just remember to not go too light , I stacked 2 jacketed bullets in a 3" barrel looking for that super sissy load that my sisters kids would shoot ( 8 & 10 ) their sissys too  ;D

It was a very light charge of Bullseye , around the 2.5 grain range , BAD move on my part to drop the charge that low and try to shoot them double action .  :o WILL NOT make that dumb mistake again .

stimpy
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Offline Badnews Bob

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Re: .38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2008, 03:32:28 PM »
Titegroup work very well for this because it isn't sensitive to light loads I use 3 to 3.5 gr behind 125gr LRNFP very accurate and no recoil, I used this load for rifle and pistol in CAS.
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Offline krod47nw

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Re: .38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2008, 09:04:51 AM »
Quote from: cwlongshot on December 07, 2008, 01:18:03 PM
Quote from: HWooldridge on July 10, 2004, 04:29:44 AM
A light charge of Bullseye and 148 gr WC is still a good choice for very light loads.

 I couldn't agree more, this is the way to go for what your asking.


 




I agree with these guys.  A 148gr wadcutter and Bullseye at the starting load in your manual.   not only mild, but very inexpensive to load.

Kevin
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Offline Savage

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Re: .38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #12 on: December 08, 2008, 10:19:37 AM »
The old classic bullseye load for .38spl used a 148gr HBWC over the starting load of Bullseye powder. (Lyman #47) I ran a couple of wheelbarrow loads of that ammo thru a mdl 10 and a Charter Target. Excellent accuracy, low recoil and economical to shoot.
Don't try the starting load with jacketed bullets tho !!!! Right Stimpy?
Savage
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Offline Sharps-Nut

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Re: .38 SPECIAL - POWDER PUFF LOAD
« Reply #13 on: December 09, 2008, 11:51:45 AM »
If new to reloading I will be the alarmist.  Bullseye is a very fast powder and double charges will easily fit in a 38 special case.  Safe to load but pay close attention while filling cases and pen light all charged case as a fail safe against a double charge.  And I second the  nose in a reloading book.  Not as a smart assed comment but only as well placed advice from one reloader to another.  The girl will be pleased and 3.0 grains will give you 2300 rounds per pound, wow bargain shooting at its best.   SN
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