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Prices ??? Loaded some 38 Special

CaptainMal

Silver $$ Contributor
Loaded up a couple hundred 38 Special yesterday. Some were a "full power" load with jacketed HP bullets. Some were cast bullets of a lower power for my wife to handle the recoil with her little S&W. It takes two different powders. I found multiple cans of powder for the loads in my cabinet and noticed two have never been opened. They still are not open as I used other lots.

Brings back some memories and no need to comment further. The pictures are "worth a thousand words".

Photos - 2 of 4 (1).jpeg
Photos - 3 of 4 (1).jpeg
 
CaptainMal, started with and still use those powders, for my handguns. Still using Bullseye from the paper container. Never saw the need to fix what was not broken. Pre 2016 bought 3 pounds each of Unique and Bullseye, they will most likely be part of my sons inheritance. Loading 2.8 grains of powder behind a 158 semi wad cutter, you do the math, powder lasts a long time. Just wish I bought more bullets.
 
Right now I am 4.0 gr of Bullseye with a 125 gr. cast and 5.6 gr of Unique with a 140 jacketed HP.
Think I have been like that since maybe the late 1950's.

Used to shoot a lot of wadcutters in an indoor range but have lost that load. For 357 I have always used 2400 and 158's. Got a bunch of that with me as I head to my place in Georgia tomorrow. New Colt Python model needs tested against my 50 year-old S&W "no dash" Model 66 I bought new in 1970.

Still playing after all these years.
 
I shoot any early 70's Colt Python with a Bullseye front sight blade. Got it from a friend of my Dad's, who was a many times state champion bullseye shooter. Once witnessed him knock down a row of 100 meter steel chickens with his S&W service revolver. No I cannot shoot like that.
 
Now if we could buy the powder at those sticker prices of $2.20 or $2.40 a can, we really would be "back in the days"
 
Right now I am 4.0 gr of Bullseye with a 125 gr. cast and 5.6 gr of Unique with a 140 jacketed HP.
Think I have been like that since maybe the late 1950's.

Used to shoot a lot of wadcutters in an indoor range but have lost that load. For 357 I have always used 2400 and 158's. Got a bunch of that with me as I head to my place in Georgia tomorrow. New Colt Python model needs tested against my 50 year-old S&W "no dash" Model 66 I bought new in 1970.

Still playing after all these years.
Your on it Captian. 2400 only powder you need for .357.
 
When Hercules used those little square cans, you could buy Sierra 168 Internationals for about $6 per box. Gas was 40 cents per gallon and a burger with fries was just over a dollar. Unfortunately wages were $1.50-$2.00 per hour.
But don't you think we got more when wages were $2.00? I bought my first house at $3.00 an hour. Just worked more hours
 
This was back when I was driving a school bus in the 11th and 12th grades making 1.35 per hour, 72 passenger bus! School bus route covered the rural area, and I knew where to go shoot crows with my 6 Rem after I parked the school bus in my yard at home.
 
Made Strawberry pies at Eat n Park plus did all the general kitchen work for a while. Made 65 cents an hour.

left that job to take on a job being head rifle instructor at a camp range north of New York City. Got $275 for six weeks work plus room and board. Heck when I started teaching in 1966 my monthly take home pay was just UNDER $300. Working nights at a gun shop near doubled my teaching income.
 
In 1970 and 1971 I could still fill the two 10-gallon saddle tanks on my International Scout for 10 bucks. Was making $110 a week and paid only once a month so had to be very careful. I bought a square butt S&W Model 36 for $110 and a Ruger single action 45 colt/ACP convertible for $95. Truth is I'm better off today at Ruger and S&W prices because the manufacturing methods have kept prices in check. Sure miss the hammer mounted firing pins, pinned barrels and recessed cylinders though, which are prolly some of the reasons their prices are in check.
 
8-lbs is a lifetime of 45acp.

Back in the 80's I bought a cardboard keg of 452AA (12 lbs.) No idea what I paid for it. Was running 32SWL, 38 Spl and 45ACP. Used a little over half of it before a 30 year break from shooting. When I restarted, I had about 4 or 5 lbs left; that lasted me about 3 years I think.

As an aside, I just got a line on 10 lbs of WST at $24/lb. Should last a while.
 

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