I have read a lot on the internet on what these loads do and how well they shot in the snub nose and how they are one of the better SD loads for this revolver.

I have tried e3, Bullseye, RedDot, GreenDot, Unique, BlueDot, w231, Universal Clays, SR4756 and 800-x powders in my 6" Magnums with no problems but when it comes down to getting a load that will shot well and also have a velocity that might be in the +P range has been sort of frustrating in the little 1 7/8 inch barrel.
Velocity have been from as low as 752 fps with the faster powders and my maximum load from Alliant puts out 851 fps but does not group well and does not hit close to poa.

What reload velocity works best in your snubs? Should I just be happy with anything over 800 fps? 4.0grs of RedDot works GREAT in the 6" , right at 890fps but has almost a 3" pattern at 10 feet in my snub nose !! A FULL load of Unique is almost as bad and due to the recoil do not think it is not worth the wear and tear on me and the revolver.
What is a realistic speed for this bullet, to work in the snub nose?

Thanks.

Use factory ammo for defense. You'll get from about 750-800 FPS, depending on brand and lot and gun.

Federal's No. 38G load is quite accurate in my guns. But I've seen reports that some has been released without a proper crimp. Check before buying.

Have you used factory loads of this type and compared them to those reloads? Snub guns are hard to shoot well.

The plural of "velocity" is "velocities", not "velocitys."

I have shot the factory Winchester 158 Lhp but it was below 800 fps in my test. The box of Remington I gave to a friend and it was around 850fps in his nub nose.

Y to I and add es..........right got that.
Got to prof read better.

I don usaly spel bettor thun thet!! Shucks........

Here's some interesting reading for ya!

38 Sbub 158 FBI velocitys
Duplicating Buffalo Bore FBI Load

ODE TO A COMPUTER SPELL CHECKER
Eye halve a spelling checker,
it came with my pea sea.
It plainly marques four my revue
miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
and weight four it to say,
weather eye am wrong oar write
it shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
it nose bee fore two long
and eye can put the error rite,
it's rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it,
eye am shore your pleased two no
it's letter perfect awl the weigh
my checker tolled me sew.

__________________
CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

Some .38 Special Chronograph Tests

I stuck this thread up a few years back. I still like and use +P 158 grain ammunition in my .38 snubs.

bmcgilvray: I went back and read the old post. Thanks so much. Gun World magazine did 2 articles in 1980 about factory .38 and .357 MVs in 2,3 and 4" bbls: very enlightening as your work is!
I have 3 or 4 boxes of the old W-W LHP and its 'sister' +P SWC with the cannelures in the earlier-style yellow boxes without the +P designation on the case heads. Nice and not for sale. Very hot loads. The modern stuff is OK for practice, IMHO.

Those are great, thanks for taking the time to do that.

__________________
CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

bmc...;
Thank you for bringing that post back for us to see. Lots of
great data there and your M60 is very close to my M49 in
fps, surprising..........
Many of those loads can be duplicated with the old data but
I don't know with the new data that has been watered down.

Maybe its just me but I think the "new ammo" from the major
companies has been reduced by 28 to 35 fps or so.............
My old M19 6" with the Rem 158 FBI load would get 1006 fps
and the Rem load listed with the new ammo in a 6" came out
at 971 fps.
I did get the 158 swc up to 1044 with Alliant data but never
used it, since I thought over penetration might be a problem.

Thanks again..........later.