Competition load for 1940's era .38 M&P?

[David Sinko]

I'm considering using an old 1940's era 5 screw .38 M&P for the new ICORE Retro division and possibly some other action shooting events. I would need to load to 125 Power Factor in a 4" barrel, which for all intents and purposes means I need to get a 158 gr. cast bullet to 800 FPS. The load must use a 158 gr. LRN and 231 powder. I have very little experience with these old revolvers and I'm wondering if they can handle this kind of load. Any comments or suggestions?

Dave Sinko

[mstuhr]

Hi Dave,
I am almost sure you are refering to a M&P in .38 Special.
It should meet your needs. If I'm not mistaken there were some lend lease or others in the 40's chambered in .38 S&W and if that is what you have please disregard my data
4.0 to 4.4 grains of 231 and a 158 grain cast bullet should get you close and shows 800-850 FPS in the Hornady book.
Good luck
Mike

[whelenshooter]

You can get 800 fps with a 158 grain lead bullet with WW231 easily, and the pressures will be low enough it won't hurt your older K-Frame steel revolver. You won't need a heavy crimp, but you will need enough of a crimp to make sure the bullets can't get shoved farther into the case. If the bullets somehow get shoved too far into the case the pressures can rise to an unsafe level. I found WW231 with 158 grain lead bullets at about 800 fps to be an extremely fun load to shoot! There is very little recoil, and the noise isn't bad since the load doesn't break the sound barrier.

Have fun!

[David Sinko]

I didn't think this should be hard to do. Many shooters whine that most factory ammo doesn't make chrono and that they need to move up to +P levels, as if +P loads are unsafe in modern revolvers. I have easily made chrono with plated bullets and 231 in my newer revolvers, but it does produce a distinctive "crack" when fired compared to all my other loads. And yes, I'm referring to the .38 Special. My two powder choices are 231 and Clays, and I presume 231 is the safer alternative.

Dave Sinko

[Andy Griffith]

Originally Posted by David Sinko

I didn't think this should be hard to do. Many shooters whine that most factory ammo doesn't make chrono and that they need to move up to +P levels, as if +P loads are unsafe in modern revolvers.

Likely, they are complaining about just a bit more recoil and not being able to recover quite as fast for the next shot.

Whimpy loads are easier to shoot and "game" with.
We had a feller that shot the last cowboy match with loads that sounded like they'd never even dent the target paper- but they did make an audible report.

It's legal in that particular discipline, but that don't make it right.

[H Richard]

I load 4.9 gr. 231 behind a 158 gr LRN and it chrono's 906, (out of a 6") right on the button in agreement with the Lyman cast bullet handbook, which claims it as the most accurate load with this bullet. It' is just under +P, and very accurate. I use the cast bullet from Stonewall Bullet Co, and get no leading.