.38 special plinking load

[GaHenryFan]

I've been playing around with 000 buckshot pellets as an economical plinking round. I picked up 10 pounds (approximately 1000) for $50 shipped. I'm pushing them around 700 fps with 1.5 grains of fast powder and they are accurate enough to bounce soup cans at 40 yards and my 2 inch spinners don't stand a chance at 25 yards. I seat them about halfway in the case with a medium crimp and they cycle fine in my BBS carbine. I'm attaching a picture of one I recovered from an old textbook at about 15 yards.

[CT_Shooter]

Have you seen this done elsewhere or did you just think that it might work, breathe deep, and give it a go?

As a hand loader, I would not be that adventurous. It's certainly an interesting experiment, though, as long as they clear the barrel.

Keep us posted.

[GaHenryFan]

I did a lot of research, and did it incrementally until I got where I wanted to be. They hit hard even at this power level. There's very little bearing surface with the round projectile so it doesn't take high pressures to launch them at a respectable velocity.

[GaHenryFan]

I said playing around in my original post, and that's a bad choice of words. I was very conscious of the possibility of a barrel obstruction, so I monitored the testing closely. I also chose a very fast powder to avoid any pressure spikes at the low charge weights. I understand your concerns, and I appreciate the fact that you cared enough to point out the danger.

[JEBar]

fascinating .... I've never heard of doing this

[clovishound]

For just a hair over that you can buy real .38 caliber bullets. Summers has 130 grain RNFP in .38 for $41.40 per 900. Lubed and ready to load.

[GaHenryFan]

Clovishound- I hadn't heard of Summers before. I've been paying close to that for 500. I'll look there when I'm ready for more. Meanwhile, I'm pretty impressed with the accuracy of the round balls, and they're really easy to load. This was 10 rounds at 40 yards.

[JEBar]

Clovishound- I hadn't heard of Summers before. I've been paying close to that for 500. I'll look there when I'm ready for more. Meanwhile, I'm pretty impressed with the accuracy of the round balls, and they're really easy to load. This was 10 rounds at 40 yards.

impressive indeed

[tx gunrunner]

I made this gun from scraps I had in my shop. I've been designing this gun in my head for years . Got bore one night and built this BP pistol using a old 357 mag rifle barrel .

[GaHenryFan]

JEBar- Thanks!
tx gunrunner- I'm pretty sure I saw your pistol on another forum when I was researching this load. Nice work!

[tx gunrunner]

JEBar- Thanks!
tx gunrunner- I'm pretty sure I saw your pistol on another forum when I was researching this load. Nice work!

I'm on over 10 gun forum . Here is my 38 cowboy load for SASS/CAS for rifle and pistol'.

[GaHenryFan]

tx gunrunner- Looks like you have a winner with that load. Beautiful rifle too!