Snubby SD load recommendations

[fordson]

Looking for 38 Special SD loading recommendations to be used in a 2” Snubby. Just looking for a starting point. I’ll be developing my load, chronographing along the way . Thanks

[chief38]

I would not recommend using hand loaded ammo for self defense - too many legal matters will arise should you need to use it.

Should you choose to do so anyway, the Buffalo Bore 158 grain SWCHP-GC +P and the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P GDHP are the bast two rounds to model your loads after. You can easily research the data for both and duplicate as close as possible - including using the exact same bullets.

NOTE: using hand loads will just be one more charge against you in court should you ever shoot someone!

[eb07]

I use 135gr speer gold dots


The factory loads are tested/advertised by Speer as:

990 fps in 357
860fps in 38+P


To approximate the Speer 357 Magnum Gold Dot Short Barrel service load in a snub-nose revolver. Load the 135 grain bullet (Speer Part No. 4014) with 8.8 grs of Power Pistol, 8.4 grs of VihtaVuroi 3N37, or 7.6 grs of Unique. These loads should give you around 1000 fps from a 2" 357 Magnum revolver.


38 special +P info:

6.8gr AA#5 seems to replicate the factory ammo in both felt recoil and velocity.

6.4 of Power Pistol is a close runner up.


The biggest issue mas stated for using hand loads for sd is if they have to replicate the loads for forensics which is rare, but just keep good paper records just in case.



Otherwise I would t worry about it.

[Old Corp]

If you do choreograph your testing and performance checks, please carefully select the musical score and video it for the forum.

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by chief38

I would not recommend using hand loaded ammo for self defense - too many legal matters will arise should you need to use it.

NOTE: using hand loads will just be one more charge against you in court should you ever shoot someone!

Can anyone cite an instance in which use of handloads in a valid SD shooting situation has resulted in adverse legal consequences for the shooter? I have never heard of one.

[STORMINORMAN]

Since the OP's original question was re: "38 Special"...

You might wish to SEARCH some of the following terms: Federal PD Micro 38 Special +P 130gr HST on this Reloading Forum...? I recall considerable input and discussion of other short barrel SD reloading alternatives as well.

Cheers!

[Nevada Ed]

For lead, the old 158 gr bullet is a keeper.

I prefer the heaviest, fastes JHP around and that is the 135 Gold Dot.

There are others that get good ratings but it is nice if your final load
shoots to POA, if possible.

My light recoil SD load .......
the Federal 130 gr HST "Micro" shoots 1" to the right , with my grip & stance.

Good shootig.

[fordson]

Originally Posted by Old Corp

If you do choreograph your testing and performance checks, please carefully select the musical score and video it for the forum.

Hahaha…… fixed it. That’s what I get for not proof reading my own post. I hate autocorrect………

[mikld]

Originally Posted by chief38

I would not recommend using hand loaded ammo for self defense - too many legal matters will arise should you need to use it.



NOTE: using hand loads will just be one more charge against you in court should you ever shoot someone!

Please, let's not get into "key board lawer" opinions. This "Handloads for SD" topic has been discussed, ad nauseam, at least since I started visiting reloading forums in 2006. Never a reliable example, never an actual case cited. Never a consensis...

Back to topic; I normally "carry" two SD loads in my 2" 38, One is a cast DEWC over a max load of W231. My other is a 124 gr. JHP.

[Nevada Ed]

Originally Posted by mikld

Please, let's not get into "key board lawer" opinions. This "Handloads for SD" topic has been discussed, ad nauseam, at least since I started visiting reloading forums in 2006. Never a reliable example, never an actual case cited. Never a consensis...

Back to topic; I normally "carry" two SD loads in my 2" 38, One is a cast DEWC over a max load of W231. My other is a 124 gr. JHP loaded to 1,000 fps with Universal...

124 gr ... ?

Wow, just wow.
I can only get my win/rem 125 SJHP with a full load of Unique
up to 902 fps in my M49 J frame revolver.

A max load of 800-X got me 952fps but I think that load needs a K frame
so that the weapon does not loosen up.

[mtgianni]

Reloading Data Center | Hodgdon
Hogdon says a 125 gr and Universal hit 1000+ fps with a psi of 16,800 cup.

[eb07]

I have also noticed that heat and altitude have a huge effect. Out here at river level in Arizona summer My loads are moving. A lot faster than the book

[Nevada Ed]

Originally Posted by mtgianni

Reloading Data Center | Hodgdon
Hogdon says a 125 gr and Universal hit 1000+ fps with a psi of 16,800 cup.

If you read the fine print,
I beleive that is out of a 7.7" barrel, not a snub nose.

[STORMINORMAN]

Originally Posted by Nevada Ed

If you read the fine print,
I beleive that is out of a 7.7" barrel, not a snub nose.

Where they get these 7.7" barrels for their 38 Special (& +P) data is beyond me...?

For 357 Magnum it's from your USUAL 10" barrel... Don't recall seeing many of those!

Why?

Cheers!

[Transamconvert]

I too am a 135 gold dot user, however I Have been pondering lately if the 148 wadcutter wouldn't be a better choice in. 38 from an airweight. This is an idea that seems to be gaining a resurgence. Thoughts?

[smoothshooter]

As long as you are not using FMJ, or round- nosed lead, anything will work. Even those loads work better than you might think.
Just pick something, practice, and carry your gun all the time, preferably where it’s legal.

Nobody wants to get shot with anything.
Too many people get so bogged down in the minutiae that they lose sight of the basics.

[rockquarry]

Originally Posted by smoothshooter

As long as you are not using FMJ, or round- nosed lead, anything will work. Even those loads work better than you might think.
Just pick something, practice, and carry your gun all the time, preferably where it’s legal.

Nobody wants to get shot with anything.
Too many people get so bogged down in the minutiae that they lose sight of the basics.

They enjoy getting bogged down in the minutiae. It appears to be a hobby in itself.

[riverrat38]

I would use 148gr target wad cutters if I could practice with them. But, they are not permitted at the local indoor ranges where I can shoot.
No lead. So I use the Federal 130gr HST micro. They seem to open up nicely from a 2" snub. And if they don't, they have a nice wad cutter profile. Not real fast to reload in the cylinder, so my reloads are semi wad cutters. Buffalo Bore 158gr Outdoorsman. Hot!

73,
Rick

[jerry52]

Gold dot micro hst look them up very impressive out of a snubby

[BC38]

Originally Posted by mtgianni

Reloading Data Center | Hodgdon
Hogdon says a 125 gr and Universal hit 1000+ fps with a psi of 16,800 cup.

Not only is it tested in a 7.7" barrel but it is likely a "testing barrel" - more like a semi-auto barrel - not a 2" revolver with a BC gap leaking pressure.
I think if you chrono that load you'll find it is closer to 800-900fps than 1000fps out of a snubby revolver.
I think the old "rule of thumb" is deduct around 50fps for every inch of barrel? Using that rule, since the revolver barrel is over 5-1/2" shorter than the test barrel, you'd end up with an estimated velocity of around 725fps

[Univibe]

158 grain standard pressure LSWC.

Plenty of penetration and mild recoil. Don't overthink it; they'll do as well against a Thug as anything else.

[vonn]

Shot placement! You have to hit the right spot.

[gwpercle]

Here is mine :
38 Special +P

160 grain cast WC (Lyman #358432) discontinued
now reproduced by (NOE #360-160-WC PB 360432)

5.2 grains Ramshot True Blue or 5.2 grains Unique
True Blue has less flash ... but Unique has worked for years .

925 fps - S&W model 60 - 2" barrel tested .
CCI 500 small pistol primers

Gary

[fordson]

Thanks all for your suggestions and recommendations. My current loading of Bullseye and a 158 LSWC chronographs at 611FPS out of my 2” Taurus 85UL. Not exactly a power house loading. Looks like I can certainly up my game some.

[diyj98]

Originally Posted by smoothshooter

As long as you are not using FMJ, or round- nosed lead, anything will work. Even those loads work better than you might think.

Very true. While round nosed lead wouldn't be my first recommendation, there's a lot of people in the ground due to the old round nosed lead rounds.

[Biggfoot44]

Answer #A - The same SD loads as in your 4 inch revolvers , unless your have physical injuries / infirmities that mandate minimum recoil.

Answer #B - * I'm * convinced to use factory loads for delibert SD , and use equivalent reloads for practice and field shooting . The number of instances where it became an issue ( primarily in analysis of distances where rounds fired ) is significantly more than zero , just in cases where Mas was an expert witness . Even if defendants usually prevailed , no need to cause unnecessary hurdles for your defense . And particularly in the modern era when every caliber vaguely suitable for deliberate SD has plentitude of good SD options that can't be materially improved with cannister powders within pressure specs .

But y'all do what you're gonna do , and I'll save my internet efforts for important issues like 115 vs 147 , or Appendix vs Pancakes .

[USSR]

7.0gr of HS-6 behind a 158gr LSWCHP. 940fps out of my 2.5" Model 19. Current Hodgdon load data does not show this load, but Winchester (developer of the powder) listed up to 7.1gr of W540 (same powder) for a .38 Spl +P load. Here is the result (bullet on right).

Don

[BC38]

Originally Posted by vonn

Shot placement! You have to hit the right spot.

...or at least hit A spot (don't miss) enough times to stop the threat.
If hitting the exact "right" spot was the ONLY solution - and one you could unerringly achieve - then even pipsqueak mouseguns like 22 and 25acp would be all you would need.
Since no one but John Wick can accomplish that, multiple center mass hits from a decent SD caliber is the realistic goal for most of us.
Making whatever SD caliber you shoot well the best solution - and having more ammo ready to go is a plus.

[BC38]

Originally Posted by mikld

Hodgdon states a 4" barrel...

I didn't see that anywhere - but I did see THIS which certainly seems to indicate that the testing was done with a barrel length of 7.700". It even specified the barrel twist rate that was used for the test (1:18.750").

So....

[STORMINORMAN]

Reference my Post #14: the data shown by Hodgdons for 38 Special (& +P) was from a 7.7" barrel. 357 Magnum from a 10".

Cheers!