Have any of you tried these using HP-38?
The load data on Hodgdon's site is total BS being as the data is almost identical for the Hornady 140gr XTP bullet. I have the latest Hornady book and it lists the 140gr Cowboy(swaged lead) starting at 3.5gr. 231(same as HP-38) and a high of 5.3gr.
I loaded 30 of the MBC 140gr. TCFP at 4.1 gr. , 125 gr. HiTek RNFP at 3.8 gr., and the 158gr. SWC at 3.1gr. (all of which are Hodgdon's site minimum load). the 125 and 158's felt as expected, powder puff loads that were very accurate, but, the 140 load felt hot and didn't group worth a darn! I was going to try some more of the 140's with 3.5gr. HP-38.
If you have any load data for these 140's, I'd appreciate trying them.

I usually don't load light for cartridge bullets so I am not sure I have a 140 grain .38 special load. If I am iced in today I will look at my notes. Haven't loaded or shot .38 Special in many years.

I have used the bullets in .357 and .44 Special. The coating really helps on leading. I buy mine from Bayou Bullets.

Load data looks funny. Try the 140's with 3.5gr. HP-38. Sounds more in-line.

I have no records of loading a 140.

My Lyman manual shows 2.7-4.5 grains of HP-38 for a 141 grain soup can. Lead data is good to start on coated/plated (no-jacketed) but sometimes LWC loads are "weird".

My Lee manual has 3.7-4.7 grains but for a 135 grain lead bullet so you'd need to back off about 5% to 3.5-4.5 if so inclined to "guess" (extrapolate). Lee does not list HP-38 under the 140 grain lead loads (not sure why).

My Hornady manual says 3.5-5.3 for a 140 grain lead bullet and W231 (no HP-38 load shown).

4.1 doesn't sound like it should be hot on paper but if it doesn't shoot then it doesn't shoot. Can you tell of the lead is failing, the bullet is unstable, the barrel is leading, etc.?

I would try 3.5 grains after I make sure the barrel is clean.

Thanks guys. I am going to start at 3.5 of HP-38.

Yeah GG, it doesn't(and really isn't) "hot", maybe just a poor choice of word when I was expecting a whole lot less. I knew what the limit loads for the other 2 were and being the starting loads for those felt more like mouse farts, the 4.1 load for the 140 caught me by surprise.

Thanks again.

HP-38 and W231 are the exact same powder. Don't believe me, ask the source. I have been switching to W244 lately and its "very similar" but not exactly the same. An old reloader told me once not to load down jacketed bullets too much which is something to take note of when just comparing loads vs bullet weights. I am only shooting lead in a 45 Colt currently, having switched to plated in the 38 special. When I shoot them up I am going to try the coated bullets.

My Lee book lists for a 140gr jacketed as 3.4 to 4.0 of HP38. Then for the Hornady 140 XTP it lists 4.2 to 4.6.

For a 135gr lead bullet it lists 3.7 to 4.7 of HP38. So lower that a tenth or two for your 140 and you should be right there.

Anywhere within this realm you'll be fine I'm sure. I've experimented with 38 bullets for years. Benchrested a bunch at 25 yards with factory and custom 38 revolvers. From my experience coated bullets as a whole are not as accurate as a good lubed square base cast bullet or a jacketed bullet.

Just an update.
3.4gr. HP-38 was just the ticket.
Thanks

Yes, the very first post says so too.

MBC generally uses hard cast alloy. That and HiTek in the revolver 'cone' may not work well with hotter loads. I've used the HT in 9 & 40 autoloaders, no problem.