I have a buddy that has a lot of 158gr LSWC I can get really inexpensive. I have a couple .38 spcls and a .357 Mag but I also have a Canadian issue WWII S&W M&P (Yes...Im proud of it ) that is in of course 38 S&W.

Question is does anyone here have any loads they use or references that list any loads for the .158gr LSWC?

Of the powders sitting on my bench I think will work
I have a little bit of W231 left,
some Red Dot(used it back in the day for my. 32 S&W .32 mag and 7.62 nagant loads),
and also Hi Skor 700-x. Any listings with these powders?

H4227...likely not a good powder for this caliber????

Go to Handloads.com You can enter .38 Special and 158 gr bullet and they will list some loads for w231 and hi skor. I use 3.8 gr Bullseye for my .38 Special. There are also some loads listed for your 38 S&W.

Randy

I usually use the starting load of Universal or clays off the Hodgdon site in my old S&W K38. Vewry clean burning powders Plus nI alreay keep therm doe shotgun.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Thanks so far guys,
I am a old member of Handloads.com(for those that suggest that forum) and have a duplicate post up their.
Its just that there is not as many loads for the .38 S&W as there are for the .38 S&W Special.
Strange in that the .38 S&W has been around since 1870s. about 30 years more than the Special but then the special does allow for more powder in the longer case.

I'm thinking of casting ..maybe need to ask about moulds and alloys and such too???

Would also like to load for a 200gr Bullet if I even have to cast it. I'm sure somewhere someone has the correct offering already?

If you can get the bullets cheap, jump on it. Data is easy to find for the powders you've mentioned. H4227 is a pretty good powder for .357 Mag but can be used for .38 Special too if you want to soup it up a little. You'll wanna keep those .38 S&Ws pretty mild, no more than about 700 to 750 fps.

To find data, just google the manufacturers. Hodgdon now handles all the Winchester powders and their own, of course, and Alliant's data is easy to find on-line too. If you don't see data for the .38 S&W, PM me and I'll dig it up for you. I've got loading data coming out of my ears.

You musta been posting as I was composing my reply, Rick. If you want to cast, I suggest the first thing you get your hands on is the latest Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook. There is an awful lot to learn, and knowing a few things about it will be useful to you in choosing your equipment. The initial outlay can be substantial, but once you have the equipment your costs get real reasonable. Casting can be very rewarding and the results, when it's done right, are top notch.

I am not sure how plentiful 200-grain .358" molds are. I cast and shoot a 160-grain bullet that works very nicely. Once you get rolling in the casting game, your biggest expense will be casting metal, so you might consider just how much metal you want to fling downrange with each squeeze of the trigger.

RiverRider, thank You for the replies...infact Everyone, all of you guys thanks. this is what forums are for and I do appreciate the input.

I plan on casting my own fishing weights(Bluecat Flathead fisherman of sorts here) so I might as well cast for the odd ball munitions I need. always wanted to anyway! Really want to get into Black powder cartridge. Ive always had a hankering that it would be great. Maybe a .45-70 using some Triple & under a .405 grain bullet??? Say out of a H&R Buffalo Classic or something.