Accurate plinkin' load

[COLT45SA]

Need load for a 28" barreled rifle shooting .38 Special. Just a fun "gun" which is shot offhand so I know the bigger challenge will be the shooter's ability.
I'd like powder, powder charge, and bullet material jacketed or lead. Shooting rats and Armadillos.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

2.7 bullseye with a 148 gr lead wadcutter
look it up on Hogden website

 

[thatguyshm]

700x always worked well for me. I've always set everything but the powder charge as constant for my wheel guns. I usually load light, 125gr and start at 3.5 and move up until happy with your results.

 

[jds holler]

The wadcutter load above is great in a revolver, but might present feeding challenges depending on the rifle.

I'd also try copper plated 125- 150ish with a similarly fast powder. Bullseye or HP38 works from around 3 grains to whatever feels right for your plinkability. jd

 

[bozo699]

The wadcutter load above is great in a revolver, but might present feeding challenges depending on the rifle.

I'd also try copper plated 125- 150ish with a similarly fast powder. Bullseye or HP38 works from around 3 grains to whatever feels right for your plinkability. jd

I agree with jds, I’ve never been able to reliably feed wadcutters in a lever gun. Semi wadcutters work fine
Wayne

 

[joshb]

I use plated bullets for “cheap” shooting. I don’t think you can ask for some one else’s “good load” and have it work in your rifle. If you’re OK with that, you might as well just buy factory ammo. One of the great benefits of reloading is the ability to tune a load to your rifle.

 

[cmysix]

2.7 bullseye with a 148 gr lead wadcutter
look it up on Hogden website

I think that would be too much effort, he could have already done that.

 

[jds holler]

I think that would be too much effort, he could have already done that.

And had a lot more fun.

When I was putting in the effort and having fun, I hit on a load for my 357 revolver. (S&W 686). I went up to 7 grains of Bullseye with the Berry's 125 gr. plated semi-wadcutter shape. It was snappy in the handgun, but still under max listed. I shot some 1", 50 yard groups with it. Trajectory is great for 0 - 100 yards with very little sight compensation.

I'd be interested to know how that load would shoot in a lever gun. jd