.38 Special Caliber Magnum Loading

[Cdog]

Son and I having 357 pistols but no brass looked into such loadings for 38spl cases. What I found on the internet ( don’t remember where do your own research) is use 38 Super loading information. I have no real need for such loads. I’m satisfied with standard velocity defense loads for home defense and +p for outside the house. Just for curiosity I will weight cases and see if +p cases are thicker.

That sounds like a good approach with the Super data.

If you look at Hodgdon's load data you'll see I used the suggested starting load of 16 grains in the .357 data.

This was an itch that had to be scratched.

If I do load much in .357 in the near future I'll likely end up transitioning from W296/H110 to something like CFE Pistol due to my low number of SP Magnum primers.

I use Universal for the vast majority of my handguns, but I also have a decent stock of the CFE.

 

[Kosh75287]

CFE-Pistol is okay in .357, about like Herco, if memory serves. If you want magnum-level performance without the need for magnum primers, just use Alliant 2400.

 

[reloader7.62]

by Skeeter Skelton

My Friend, The .357

Dark Canyou Home Page

Dark Canyon

 

[Cdog]

CFE-Pistol is okay in .357, about like Herco, if memory serves. If you want magnum-level performance without the need for magnum primers, just use Alliant 2400.

You're absolutely right. 2400 is on my list.

I've used a lot of Alliant rifle powder. Reloader 15 and 19 are two of my "Go To" powders for .308 and 30-06.

In the last 20 years there's little to no Alliant powders to be found locally. Availability played a role in switching from Unique to Universal.

I usually have to buy anything from Alliant online or at gun shows.

Gun shows have pretty much be covid out, and shopping for much of anything online is sad. Powder Valley has the least inventory I recall ever.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I'm well aware of the reputation of Lil Gun and excessive heat. I only chose to test with it because it's the slowest non spherical shotgun/handgun powder I have on hand. I wanted to see what I could do with standard primers, and I simply wasn't going to try W296/H110 without a magnum primer.

Lil'Gun is a double base ball/spherical powder & most manuals recommend using a magnum primer with it.

It is more foregiving however than H110/W296.

.
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38 Special WC brass is different, the case wall web is located much closer to the case head so that long, hollow base wadcutter bullets can be seated without undersizing the bullet's skirt.

Agreed, not all 38 Special brass is the same..

Previously I did a check comparing the 38 Spcl (WC) wadcutter double cannelure brass walls to a 38 Spcl (+P)'s brass walls.

Using a .350" plug gage (the biggest that would pass by the case's inside ridges caused by the double cannelures), it would extend ~.725" into the wadcutter double cannelure case but only ~.460" into the (+P) case, a difference of ~.260".

That shows the wadcutter's walls are straighter & the (+P)s lower walls are more tapered & thicker.

The wadcutter's walls only start getting thick just below it's lower cannelure while the (+P)'s starts getting thicker higher, where the upper cannelure would be on it, if it had one.

Save the wadcutter brass for standard pressure 38 Spcl. loads.

.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

I considered starting a new thread, but sort'a like the way this one has developed...

SPEAKING OF... Hornady XTP's, CFE-Pistol powder, 357 Magnum vs. 38 Special (and +P) and "ammunition segregation" & even "flame cutting"...

Factory Fiocchi Extrema 110gr 38 Special +P using the Hornady bullet lists velocity at 1,000 fps & energy at 244 ft. lbs.

Hodgdons lists a 38 Special +P load for this same bullet (7.0 gr of CFE-Pistol at 1.455") developing 1,303 fps and 18,400 psi.

No need to segregate (except from your non-+P guns), no flame cutting, and what I consider to be "close to"(?) 357 Magnum velocities... Well, sort'a close?

Anybody with an estimate of energy for this load?

Cheers!

P.S. The Hornady Critical Defense load for a 110gr FTX is not much faster (as in ONLY +10 fps!) than the Fiocchi? Nor is the Corbon!

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Hodgdons lists a 38 Special +P load for this same bullet (7.0 gr of CFE-Pistol at 1.455") developing 1,303 fps and 18,400 psi.

Anybody with an estimate of energy for this load?

Muzzle energy with a 110gr bullet at 1303mv?

415 me

.

 

[cowboy4evr]

When looking at Hodgdon load data , be sure and notice the length of test barrel used when quoting their results . Regards Paul

 

[boatbum101]

Main reason I use +P cases ( Starline ) for these type loads is at a glance I know what it is . I do have a slew of older 38 special target only guns that I'd like to keep in one piece . Most only see wadcutter loads as they're dedicated precision paper punchers only . I also mark casehead with a Red sharpie on the hot loads .
If one is going to chase 38/44 level loads you are pretty much wildcatting . I figure if I'm getting 1300fps with a 173gr ( my alloy ) 358429 that's enough , some cases too much . Watch your chrono when spreads tighten you're pretty close to best load & if they open with just a tenth or two of a grain more back off . Most efficent load might not give best accuracy either , sometimes a little less powder & groups will tighten . Many variables to consider . IMHO best all around for 38/44 loads is SR 4756 7.5grs with 358429 , 8.0 with 358156 . 8.5grs in 357 with 358429 will run around 1250fps 6" barrel . It does not like to be crowded & will get spikey . 2400 even at 12.5grs spreads are wide but in my gun it's accurate .

 

[38SPL HV]

I prefer using 2400 for original 38-44 factory equivalent (11.0 grs 2400 and 158 gr lead). To approximate the chronographed velocity of the 1960s 158 gr lead 38-44 factory loads you can use Speer’s max 38 Spl +P loading using Power Pistol (6.0 grs) and 158 gr lead swc. We chronographed the 6.0 grs Power Pistol and 158 gr swc at 1,061 FPS from 6 inch S&W Model 10.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Ok;
I finally have to break down and ask all you people.............

Where can I buy one of those Hodgden "Super Weapons" with the 7 " barrel, that shots all those test loads !!

They put a "Whoopen" on my weapons.

 

[roninflag]

N-110 is another good one.