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Old 11-15-2013, 04:32 AM
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ArchAngelCD ArchAngelCD is offline
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I did some extensive testing along with a few other reloaders on several forums and I came up with a very good FBI Load.

We all agree my load is bumping up against the 20,000 PSI limits for a .38 Special +P but don't exceed them. I won't post the exact charge weight because it's above any "current" load manuals but it was in manuals in the past and even higher than my charge weight.
Below is the results:

Winchester .38 Special +P case
158gr Hornady LSWC/HP
CCI 550 Primer (Magnum primer on this load)
x.x gr HS-6
COL 1.475"
4" M686 ---- 2" M640
927.0 -- AV --- 888.9
955.1 --- H --- 897.1
905.4 --- L --- 876.6
49.7 ---- ES --- 20.5
20.7 ---- SD ---- 7.9
17.0 ---- AD ---- 5.9

If you're wondering why such a small difference in velocity between the 4" and 2" barrel, all I can say is I think my M686 has a slow barrel. The velocities are higher than the factory ammo listed @890 fps but I wanted to be sure the bullets would expand from a short barrel and these do! I could probably drop my charge weight .1gr or .2gr to match the factory load but that might sacrifice reliable bullet expansion from the short barrel. HS-6 is a good powder for this application because for some reason, it seems HS-6 develops less pressure while delivering the same velocities as other powders in it's burn rate range.

BTW, like I said, factory duplicate would be 890 fps from a 4" barrel so your load is slightly slower. Also, you can't feel +P and I have found some powders feel differently than others and could fool you into thinking pressures and velocity is higher when it's not.
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Last edited by ArchAngelCD; 11-15-2013 at 04:35 AM. Reason: Spelling
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