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Red Dot for 38 Special target loads?

12K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  jportale  
#1 ·
Was going thru the ammunition locker and noticed my stock of 38 special plinker/target/training rounds are on the slim side.

Now, I have a fair stock of powders, but since I have a can of Red Dot (sent to me in error and was told I could keep it, for my troubles
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) and nothing to load it into ( don't do shotgun reloading ).

I was perusing the Speer manual and it lists a start load of 2.7 grains with a flush mount 148 HBWC to a max of 3 grains.

I use wadcutter target loads in a S&W 14-3 when I am working on the basics or when introducing a new shooter to the next class of firearm or for those times that firing full house loads would unduly disturb fellow shooters.

Anyone have experience using Red dot for target/plinking loads?

Thanks,

Regards, Mueller
 
#2 ·
Have never tried Red Dot with 148 wc in 38 special, but don't see why it wouldn't work. Have tried it with 45 acp lead target, 38 special 110 gn sjhp for snubbie (best velocity and accuracy of all tried), 44 mag light 200 gn GD (extremely accurate) and 44 special 200 gn lrnfp. It worked very well for these. Suspect it might work well for larger cases, where it is desired to suck up case volume.

Almost forgot, have also used it for 455 webley, shaved to accept 45 AR brass with 200 gn lrnfp.
 
G
#3 ·
I agree with Zeke. It should work as well as Bullseye or AA No. 2 in a comparable application. While I haven't used it myself, it's not because it's a bad choice. Rather I just had good recipes using other propellants and had no real reason to try it.
 
#6 ·
Never tried it in a light load but I have used the old Speer "snubby load" of 5 grains behind a 158 swc. (THIS IS A SERIOUS PRESSURE LOAD - I AM NOT RECOMMENDING ANYONE ELSE USE IT). It did not give the 1000 fps they said but around 900 in a snubby and I found it a good GP load.

As other mentoioned above...lighter load should be fine and I don't think it would blow up guns like the old 2.7 of Bullseye was known to do but that is just a guess.

Jim
 
#8 ·
Late to the dnace, but I'm here. I've used Red Dot for years in 38 SPC, 45 ACP and 45 Colt. I agree with CIW, it is tough to meter because of the large flake size. It is smoky with lead and not so somky with FMJ bullets. I have since moved on as Red Dot was getting hard to fin in this area. But I can tell you that 5 grains of RD under a 230 FMJ 45 auto bullet was as close to perfect as you can get. I was very surprised how this combo worked for me.