Need a Good J-Frame Load

[rockquarry]

You need a Hornady load manual that has the data you seek. Hornady #8 (not the latest book) shows data to be interchangeable between the XTP-FP and XTP-HP for the 125 grain .38 bullet using same OAL.

The Lee data is good for reference only. All data comes from other sources; sometimes the specific bullet is listed, sometimes not. Primer choices are not listed and some of the data may be pretty old. Too vague. I would reference other sources before I would use Lee's information.

Some online stuff is okay and just as good as a paper manual, but not always. Best to get the bullet manufacturer's book for safety's sake if for no other reason.

 

[Nevada Ed]

The maximum loading of w231 with a 125gr XTP bullet in my
6" 686 revolver was enough to get to the +P speed of 945fps
with a 38 special case and a cci 500 primer.

A max load in the 357 case reached 1250fps and was very accurate.

Have fun with those FN bullets and that powder.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I found Speer 135gr SB .38 Special +P ammo shoots very close to POA.

By the way, wanting to carry 125gr ammo to keep the weight down is really not necessary. The bullets in 5 rounds of 125gr ammo weigh .09lb while the bullets in 5 rounds of 158gr ammo weigh .11lb. I highly doubt you can feel the difference, I can't.

 

[ninjatoth]

I found Speer 135gr SB .38 Special +P ammo shoots very close to POA.

By the way, wanting to carry 125gr ammo to keep the weight down is really not necessary. The bullets in 5 rounds of 125gr ammo weigh .09lb while the bullets in 5 rounds of 158gr ammo weigh .11lb. I highly doubt you can feel the difference, I can't.

Whoever owned this gun before me (I have a feeling it was a cop) Had written on the manual cover "Gold Dot 38+P", so maybe there was a reason for that and he was referring to the 135gr. I have fired 110,125 and 158 and all were the same POA so I would find it odd that 135 would be closer to POA but I should give it a try.

 

[ninjatoth]

I been trying out some different loads such as 110, 125 and 140gr XTP's with varying charges of 231 with no change in POI with every load being 5" low, but at least i'm learning what a 1.875"bbl likes with 231, and that's the 140gr. It must have just the right amount of pressure because the 140gr loads are clean, as where the 110 and 125 are sooty.

I tried 158gr XTP's but not with 231 yet, rather with Titegroup and they were by far the most accurate with a 5 round group from 5 yards being one single hole, but again- 5" low.

I will continue my load pursuit until I find what is the best and then either get a lower sight or just learn how to shoot this thing. I been hitting what I want by aiming 5" high at 5-7 yards and about a foot high at 25 yards, seems to work well for me.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

My duplicate Speer 135gr SB ammo is made with a 140gr XTP bullet because of price and availability along with AA#5. I get good results and can not only duplicate the velocity but the recoil feels the same too.