Your Favorite 38 Spl +P 158 gr lead load

ArchAngelCD · #51 09-02-2021, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockquarry

You make a good point. The old load manuals are great reference sources; guess I have between forty and fifty of them and refer to them regularly. As you well know, much of the information is not available online.

The method of pressure measurement may be considerably more accurate today and less dependent on operator interpretation than it was when #26 was published about thirty years ago; another good reason to be cautious with old data. There is also a suggestion in #26 that the data is not recommended for small frame (presumably including steel) and alloy frame revolvers.

You also make good points but current data is not always lower because of better testing methods.

Right now on the Hodgdon Load Data Site they list
In the .38 Special data with a 158gr LSWC bullet they say the max is 6.3gr HS-6 with pressures of 16,200 CUP.

In the .357 Magnum data with a 158gr LSWC bullet they say the max is 7.0gr of HS-6 with pressures of 15,500 CUP.

I find those numbers to be strange. The .357 Magnum case is only slightly longer yet .7gr more powder generated less pressure than the .38 Special. That is hard to believe. Also, only 15,500 CUP in a .357 Magnum round, not hardly a Magnum, is it?

rockquarry · #52 09-02-2021, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArchAngelCD

You also make good points but current data is not always lower because of better testing methods.

Right now on the Hodgdon Load Data Site they list
In the .38 Special data with a 158gr LSWC bullet they say the max is 6.3gr HS-6 with pressures of 16,200 CUP.

In the .357 Magnum data with a 158gr LSWC bullet they say the max is 7.0gr of HS-6 with pressures of 15,500 CUP.

I find those numbers to be strange. The .357 Magnum case is only slightly longer yet .7gr more powder generated less pressure than the .38 Special. That is hard to believe. Also, only 15,500 CUP in a .357 Magnum round, not hardly a Magnum, is it?

Yes; looks like they didn't complete their work.

ddixie884 · #53 09-02-2021, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosedog

For me it's 11.5 grs of 2400 under a Lyman # 358156 SWC HP with a gas check.

I only load 11, guess I'm just not adventurous.......

ddixie884 · #54 09-02-2021, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model 15-4ever

HS-6 works wonders in .38 Special +P. But current published loading data is so watered down that it stops well short of the pressure limit.

Speer Number 8 (aka "The Atomic Manual") lists the starting load as 7.0 grains of HS-6 under 158 grain lead bullet. That load exceeds the lame maximum charge on current Hodgdon website. The Speer Number 8 maximum was 8.0 grains... I've tried it and it's full power no doubt.

There are those who go into a catatonic trance and scream when Speer Number 8 is mentioned. Fine. Speer Number 10, published in 1979 (back when +P actually meant something) writing in the .38 Special section, states "+P working pressure is 22,400 cup."

SAAMI later watered down the .38 Special +P specification. In its 2015 publication, "American National Standard Voluntary Industry Performance Standards for Pressure and Velocity of Centerfire Pistol and Revolver Ammunition for the Use of Commercial Manufacturers", the pressure spec for .38 Special +P was lowered to 20,000 CUP. The nominal velocity for a 158 grain bullet is listed as 880 fps from a 4" vented test barrel.

Based on the performance of some historical hi-speed factory loadings (158 grain bullet at ~1090 fps), the "new" .38 Special +P level is fairly weak sauce.

Take a look at the current Hodgdon HS-6 data for .38 Special with 158 grain cast bullet, and it stops at 16,200 CUP. Having tried Hodgdon's low pressure .38 Special HS-6 loads, the results are dismal - unburnt powder, low velocities, mediocre accuracy. It's obvious how watered down the Hodgdon HS-6 data is in .38 Special. No data is provided for +P loads with a 158 grain lead bullet. Why?

Oddly enough, Hodgdon decided to provide 158 grain cast bullet data for .357 Magnum: 7.0 grains of HS-6 gives only 15,500 CUP. Hmmmm, something fishy is going on here...

A little bit of analysis indicates that whether you intend to stay within the current 20,000 CUP +P limit, or the traditional pre-watered 22,400 CUP limit... you can increase the charge accordingly. Pop a magnum primer in the .38 Special case, and bump up the powder charge to normal levels and you have something really good. My personal HS-6 loads with 160 grain LHP bullets make 985 fps in 4" barrel revolver, and 900 fps in a 2" gun. The loads are very accurate and hit POA in fixed sight revolvers.

Buffalo Bore sells loaded factory ammo at these levels. Their choice of powder is unknown, but obviously the pressure levels are safe.

Note these pressure figures are for copper-crusher CUP, NOT transducer PSI. The numbers are not the same. Hodgdon still lists its 38 Special and 357 Magnum pressure data in CUP... I'm surprised because you are now able to see how weak these loads have become since the SAAMI downgrading. Once pressure figures are expressed in PSI, you have no way of comparing them to older CUP data.

As always, YMMV, and practice safe and prudent loading practices. Inexperienced reloaders should adhere to published data. What is acceptable in your guns is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Happy trails!

They claimed the electronic pressure numbers were different so it had to be downgraded to 20,000 but then they made a mistake in the SAAMI info and said that both were equal at 20,000 psi. It is the one set of data where they both agree. Just one more big lie. They forget what they told and tell you that you have a bad memory.........

bmcgilvray · #55 09-02-2021, 09:16 AM

I'm just gonna resurrect an old thread I stuck up on this topic. Post number 42 contains results of +P handloading efforts.
Some .38 Special Chronograph Tests
I used to enjoy sampling all the powders and combinations, sitting at the reloading bench imagining the benefits as I assembled new loads, but came to the realization years ago that it was simpler and more efficient to stick with what I know will work well. 5.4 grains of Unique behind a 158 grain cast lead SWC works well to provide starch in .38 Special loads. There's not much one could reasonably ask of a .38 Special revolver that it won't handle.

SuperMan · #56 09-02-2021, 09:29 AM

My guess would be that any guns, but some of the imported cheap garbage guns, made after WWII are safe to use with much heavier loads than the SAAMI specs indicate. They are simply erring on the side of caution, as in liability, for those who insist in putting +P rounds in a 1900s vintage gun.

It is also doubtful that a gun is gun is going to "blow up" due to hot loads...it is simply going to rattle faster.

My 649 is also fitted with a second cylinder that TK Custom modified to take 9mm and .38 Super via moon clips.. They both run ammo way over 30k psi and the rounds don't seem to be doing anything negative to the gun...

.38 Super is what snubbies should be chambered for...they don't back out of the cylinder like a tapered 9mm case does. I've had four snubbies in 9mm, two LCRs, one 940 and the 649 and everyone locked up tight with +P ammo...zero issues with with Super.

Bob

gwpercle · #57 09-02-2021, 10:26 AM

My Pet 38 Special +P Load is :
one of the following bullets : cast of clip on wheel weights - soft lead 50/50 (bhn 8) and sized .357" or .358".

Lyman # 358477 - 150 grs. SWC
Lyman # 358156 - 155 grs. SWC
Lyman # 358432 - 160 grs. WC *

*This bullet is my Pet Bullet in this Pet Load , the other two will do OK , Hollow Point bullet is at your option . I'm not a big fan of casting hollow points but discovered NOE Bullet Molds has made it much easier with their moulds . www.noebulletmolds.com check them out.

Load any of these bullets over 5.2 grs. Unique powder .

That's it !
Gary

tommy F · #58 09-02-2021, 10:47 AM

My top load is 5.0 W231/HP38 with 140-160 Lead mostly for 4" Mags

Old Corp · #59 09-02-2021, 11:19 AM

I started loading .38's for my first revolver, a Ruger Security Six .357 4" in the mid-70's.
First started with about the only bulk lead bullets available at the time - the soft swaged Speer and Hornady 158 gr LSWC's and around 4.5 gr. Unique.

Not too long after, began casting bullets and my mentor gave me a Lyman 358156GC mold and I began making and lube/sizing them in profusion. Usually wheelweights with a little linotype thrown in.

Using that bullet, I settled on 5.5 gr Unique. Accurate, clean (for Unique) and actually a nice middle-of-the-road non-magnum round for my revolver of which I was so proud.

Although I don't cast anymore (too easy to 'click' and buy quality cast bullets), I still use that load with various commercial cast 158 gr LSWC's in steel K frames, N frames (a .38 HD and several .357's) and another Ruger S6.

Pretty sure it's over any published loads out there now, but I've never had the first issue with it.
It's a little snappy in the steel J frames. I usually practice with a plenitude of commercial 130 gr range ammo with those.

crstrode · #60 09-02-2021, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevada Ed

Maybe my 2008 bottle of 231 is getting old......

Probably not too old yet. Just emptied a 1992 can of 231. Works just fine and cannot tell the difference compared to a batch made with new stuff.

The old can had a price tag of $7.99 . . .

crstrode · #61 09-02-2021, 02:21 PM

Yesterday I made up a bunch of 148 grain plated double ended wadcutters from Rainier (now defunct). I load them with about 4.2 grains of Unique and seat them flush. The chrono says these are running around 800FPS from a 1-7/8 snubby..

epj · #62 09-02-2021, 05:00 PM

Haven’t had the chance to try them yet, but I recently loaded a bunch of 160gr RNFP lead in 38 cases with 5.5 gr of 231/HP38. Some data sugg sets these are a tad stout, others not so much. Loaded for use in guns chambered for .357 or for+P.

ddixie884 · #63 09-03-2021, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epj

Haven’t had the chance to try them yet, but I recently loaded a bunch of 160gr RNFP lead in 38 cases with 5.5 gr of 231/HP38. Some data sugg sets these are a tad stout, others not so much. Loaded for use in guns chambered for .357 or for+P.

I'm sure it will be alright in heavy framed .38s and in .357s. Let us know how this turns out for you. I'm waiting with bated breath. My 15-3 is my most used side arm...........

smoothshooter · #64 09-16-2021, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwslate

Lots of variables here Ed, your powder is probably ok. Different
bullet, charge weight, crimp?, primer and your mod 49 has a
1 7/8" barrel and the K frame mod 10 has a 2" barrel. All
loads that I have chronoed in a 2" K frame run faster than
the same load out of one of my J frames. Bullet seating
depth, cast or swaged, crimp can make a big difference. For
some reason some handloaders insist on taper crimping cast
bullets that have a substantial groove for a roll crimp. Is
your bullet plated? I just measured the barrel of my 37-2
and it's not even a full 1 7/8", more like 1 13/16". Don't
throw your old bottle of 231 away yet. The bottle of 231
used in these loads is older than yours. Maybe 231 just
keeps getting better as it ages. I might sprinkle a little in
my food and see if it works for me!

I taper crimp because consistency of case length is not critical.
Roll crimp tension can vary greatly with just a few thousandths change in case length.

Benchrest1 · #65 09-17-2021, 01:53 AM

I use a copper plated 158 SWC with 3.2 grs of 231 for shooting steel.

Wireman134 · #66 03-01-2022, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockquarry

Yes; looks like they didn't complete their work.

Don't hate me for this but maybe the industry thinks there is no need for speedy lead bullets as there is little factory lead ammo loaded to real max +P pressures. Also most factory defense loads use lighter jacketed projectiles.

gwpercle · #67 03-01-2022, 11:06 AM

I don't buy factory ammo because they don't load/sell what I want .
I cast lead bullets , use gas checks and drive them to the velocities I want .
That's why we cast and reload ...factories can do whatever they want ...
I'm not buying it .
Reload and cast bullets ...Become Master of your Ammo Supply .
Doing It puts a smile on your face !
Gary

mikerjf · #68 03-01-2022, 11:20 AM

I like that 5.4g Unique load from the Lyman 45th.

The Lyman 45th also lists an 11.0g max of 2400 for a similar velocity. That feels like a pretty solid load. I've tried 11.5g and that made me wonder if it was a good idea in a 38 (I was testing it in a 357).

Daimler1989 · #69 03-01-2022, 11:26 AM

I load 5 grs of Vectan A1 with a 158 grs Speer SWC or SWCHP
938 ft/s from a 3" barrel (Model 13), 918 ft/s from a 4" barrel (Model 27), 935 ft/s from a 5" barrel (Model 27). Very accurate, but leaves a little bit of lead in the M27s...

regards from Germany
Ulrich

smithra_66 · #70 03-01-2022, 03:19 PM

5 grains of Unique

Lyman 358439 Keith Hollowpoint, cast 20-1.

Explosive on water jugs.

Nevada Ed · #71 03-01-2022, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikerjf

I like that 5.4g Unique load from the Lyman 45th.

The Lyman 45th also lists an 11.0g max of 2400 for a similar velocity. That feels like a pretty solid load. I've tried 11.5g and that made me wonder if it was a good idea in a 38 (I was testing it in a 357).

In my M49 Steel J frame I tried 10 grs of 2400 powder
with a 158 Lswc bullet with a OAL of 1.48" and medium crimp
that crossed the chrony at an average of 5 shots at 835fps.
the high was at 865fps and the target "Group" was a blown shotgun pattern.
I logged this load as a load for a "K" frame.... I don't care what the manuals say.

jimbo728 · #72 03-01-2022, 04:59 PM

4.8gr WW231, 850fps. been a favorite with all 158gr lead swc and lrn for decades 4 and6 inch Smiths.
Jim

STORMINORMAN · #73 03-01-2022, 07:01 PM

About 4.8gr of CFE-Pistol with almost ANY 158gr bullet works for me. Enough to expand an XTP or similar JHP, and still works well with most hard cast lead bullets without getting too crazy...

Cheers!

rockquarry · #74 03-01-2022, 07:26 PM

There is a definite need to get away from the "hard cast" Internet fad. Many don't seem to know what hard cast really is. Most of us don't need "hard cast" if we want decent accuracy and freedom from leading bores. Softer bullets that "fit" are almost always better.

Wireman134 · #75 03-01-2022, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockquarry

There is a definite need to get away from the "hard cast" Internet fad. Many don't seem to know what hard cast really is. Most of us don't need "hard cast" if we want decent accuracy and freedom from leading bores. Softer bullets that "fit" are almost always better.

10-12 Bhn max is all you need to 35K psi. Boolit fit is most important. 98Pb/1Sn/1Sb water dropped gets it done.

rockquarry · #76 03-01-2022, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wireman134

10-12 Bhn max is all you need to 35K psi. Boolit fit is most important. 98Pb/1Sn/1Sb water dropped gets it done.

Yes, a 10-12 BHN bullet that's well-fitted is plenty adequate for most handgun cartridge uses. As for water dropping, it also has a place, but based on my experience with this process over many years, it's not necessary for for most shooters' needs.

With water dropping, you're getting into the realm of "hard cast" and beyond with it's attendant disadvantages unless you're dealing with high-pressure loads at high velocity. Even then it would be worth a comparison with softer bullets. With some areas of cast bullet "technology", there are no firm rules.

DeplorabusUnum · #77 03-02-2022, 12:41 AM

I like to experiment with different powders in 38 special. The loads that I've found to be accurate with the Lee 358158 LSWC powder coated bullet are:
5.2 gr CFE Pistol
4.0 gr Trail Boss
3.6 gr Titegroup
5.4 gr Unique

Bullets are cast to BHN of 10-12. I have yet to chrono the loads yet. The Trail Boss load is clearly the softest shooting of the bunch.

STORMINORMAN · #78 03-02-2022, 01:13 AM

Swaged (8 to 10?) vs. "cast" (12 to 14?) vs. "hard cast" @ 16 to 18...?

If one is loading for just one gun it can certainly make a difference: if you have multiple weapons of the same caliber sometimes a compromise maybe in order? Kind'a like loading different OALs for different 9mm pistols with different magazines and chambers... Sometimes the most finicky gun sets the standard?

Cheers!

P.S. I don't experience much leading (if any?) with coated bullets. The harder ones do penetrate better if that's desired (or a concern?)... Don't see a lot of copper fouling with plated bullets either: perhaps I'm just lucky that way?

Kiwi cop · #79 03-02-2022, 05:26 AM

For many years my "go to" .38 Special +P load was 10.5 gns H4227. The original powder before Winchester bought in to Hodgdon and decided to "streamline" the powders, replacing H4227 with ADI's AR2205, the version with the cooling coating required by the Australian military.

I have not tried the new H4227, although AR2205 was just not as good in my 6" 686 as H4227 had been.

My current +P load in the .38 Special is 4.2 gn Tightgroup. Not as good as the H4227 load but near to it.

Biggfoot44 · #80 03-02-2022, 10:25 AM

All with either Speer LHP or commercial cast " Magma " .

Mild excellent accuracy
3.2 gr 231 ,700 fps 4 inch

Factory duplication of Std Vel
3.4gr 231

Current data varies , but at the time was top edge of std pressure , but not +P

4.5 gr Unique mid to upper 800's

Exceedes current ,but was max +P circa1980

5.3gr 231

Model1567 · #81 03-02-2022, 07:02 PM

Bigfoot,

What kind of velocities were you seeing with 5.3 gr. of W231?

Forrest r · #82 03-03-2022, 06:38 AM

You're going to find that the bullet selections you make will have huge effects on the velocities of the 38spl p+ loads you're testing.

Several years ago I did testing with a 2" bbl'd snubnosed 38spl revolver. I was more interested in how the powers performed over a wide range of bullets. So I used 10 different bullets for the testing. I coupled the 10 different bullets with 5 different powders and loaded up 5 loads of each powder/bullet combo.

The end result was that I had 50 test loads of each powder. I wrote down the velocities of the 5-shot strings and found the average velocity for that 5-shot sting. Then I took those 5-shot averages and added all 10 of them together and found the average of the 10 5-shot groups. Doing this gave me an idea of what +/- velocity to expect with a 158gr bullet and a p+ load for 5 different powders.

All bullets were cast with a 8/9bhn alloy and sized to .358". The single jacketed bullet was a 150gr jacketed hp home swaged out of 9mm cases and sized to .357".

4.4gr of bullseye
The 10 5-shot strings averaged 801fps
High 358156 hp gc swc 822
Low H&G #51 784

5.7gr BE-86
The 10 5-shot strings averaged 845fps
High Cramer # 26 863fps
Low 358431 (hb swc) 827fps

5.5gr unique
The 10 5-shot strings averaged 833fps
High Cramer #26 846fps
Low 358439 (hp swc) 814fps

11gr 2400
The 10 5-shot strings averaged 882fps
High jacketed hp 150gr 916fps
Low H&G #51 867fps

6.0gr power pistol
The 10 5-shot strings averaged 887fps
High Cramer #26 910fps
Low H&G # 51 859fps

A picture of 8 of the 10 bullets tested.

These 4 bullets consistently outperformed the others. Left to right:
Cramer #26 158gr (cramer's version of the lyman 358439 keith swc hp)
Mihec 148gr hbwc turned backwards
Lyman 358156 hp gc swc 152gr
How swaged 150gr jacked hp

Those 4 outperformed the rest because they had long bodies that sealed the cylinders/bbl extremely well. Or they had huge bullet bases/bottom drive bands that also were very efficient in sealing the cylinder/bbl better/faster than the other bullet designs. Simply put, they are more efficient than the small bottom drive band/bullet based bullets.

What I got out of that testing:
BE-86 pretty much mirrored unique's results in this test
The cramer #26 version of the lyman 358439 ran circles around the real lyman 358439.
The H&G #51 was consistently the worst performing on next to the worst performing bullets in the testing.

Powder selection is 1 thing, picking a good bullet design will have a huge effect on your 38spl p+ loads. Especially when using a short bbl.

Wireman134 · #83 03-06-2022, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockquarry

Yes, a 10-12 BHN bullet that's well-fitted is plenty adequate for most handgun cartridge uses. As for water dropping, it also has a place, but based on my experience with this process over many years, it's not necessary for for most shooters' needs.

With water dropping, you're getting into the realm of "hard cast" and beyond with it's attendant disadvantages unless you're dealing with high-pressure loads at high velocity. Even then it would be worth a comparison with softer bullets. With some areas of cast bullet "technology", there are no firm rules.

Hard cast is not water dropping. The amount of Sn and Sb determine the Bhn. Pure Pb dropped in water will not make the boolit harder than air cooled. My custom blended alloy mixes Pb with Babbit alloy metals. Air cooled my alloy of 98% Pb, 1% Sn and 1% Sb will air cool to about 8 Bhn. The 1% Sb is the main hardening metal in my alloy. Water dropping with this low of Sb only hardens the boolit slightly more to 10-12 Bhn this is tested by me and confirmed. Water dropping allows me to stretch out my metals to get the hardness that works. Allowing me to cast more boolits of this hardness, perfect for up to 30K psi. loads. The firm rules are real. You just need to know them.

Mule88 · #84 03-09-2022, 12:00 PM

I use 5 gn of Universal

STORMINORMAN · #85 03-10-2022, 07:55 AM

Inspired by this thread...? (I forgot it was about lead loads: sorry!)

Yesterday at the range: we shot 12 each of these offhand: using p!ated 158gr Berrys FPs loaded to 1.445" with a very mild LEE FCD crimp.

5.0gr Unique
5.2gr Longshot
6.2gr Accurate #5

@ 7+ yards all basically shot to point of aim in my Model 19-3 2 1/2". No chronograph, but the Longshot loads seemed a bit faster, a bit more recoil. I feel all would have been acceptable in my 442, but I didn't have it with me. So next time I'll try them with those same loads plus a couple other powders: 231, Bullseye & CFE-Pistol for a comparison.

Then we shot a dozen 357 Magnum cases with 7.2 gr Longshot: very mild for a 357 Magnum but noticably more sound, velocity and recoil. Went back to 10 yards, or so, and these also shot to the point of aim.

Cheers!

P.S. Cleaning the gun was a breeze compared to a box of LWCs...

BillBro · #86 03-10-2022, 01:44 PM

OK, I want to play too. Just bought 300 of the Rimrock bullets and have my LGS hunting for some powders, unique specifically. I have many of the powders already discused. This has been a great thread, thanks to all who have contributed good info.
Powders I already have are A5, A7, hs-6, silohuette,VN340,titegroup,cfe pistol, herco, 800x.

zeke · #87 03-11-2022, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddixie884

They claimed the electronic pressure numbers were different so it had to be downgraded to 20,000 but then they made a mistake in the SAAMI info and said that both were equal at 20,000 psi. It is the one set of data where they both agree. Just one more big lie. They forget what they told and tell you that you have a bad memory.........

The 38 special loads in Speer #8 were not pressure tested, as indicated by speer itself. Some just won't let it go and continue to try and use word association to say the loads were pressure tested, but they weren't. If someone wants 357 mag velocity's, they should get a 357 mag.

jimbo728 · #88 03-11-2022, 12:36 PM

My +p favorite wih .38 lead has for decades 4.8gr 231. runs 650 in a 4inch.
Jim

Nevada Ed · #89 03-11-2022, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STORMINORMAN

About 4.8gr of CFE-Pistol with almost ANY 158gr bullet works for me. Enough to expand an XTP or similar JHP, and still works well with most hard cast lead bullets without getting too crazy...

Cheers!

In my 686 6", 4.8 gr of CFE will start out at 747fps.
a 38 case with 5.5 grs of CFE-p hits at POA doing 939fps.

STORMINORMAN · #90 03-11-2022, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo728

My +p favorite wih .38 lead has for decades 4.8gr 231. runs 650 in a 4inch.
Jim

That seems to be pretty weak for a +P to me.... What's your "regular" 38 Special 231 load and with what bullet weight?

Cheers!

wagonman · #91 03-12-2022, 05:55 PM

ArchAngelCD has done a lot of research and put in the leg work on high-performance 38spl loads with h-6 and the158gr swaged lswcgc, for years I was loaded with 110gr rem hp with hs-6 for home defense use my own testing found 7.0 gr of hs-6 and rimrock 158gc runs 910fps from my 4in mod-15, the penetration and expansion sold me on dumping the110gr. rem hp

Goldstar225 · #92 03-12-2022, 09:21 PM

My .38 +P load is 6.0 grains of Power Pistol under a home cast RCBS 150 SWC (158 grains as cast). This load is taken from Alliants site. They rate it at 1037 FPS. From my 4" model 15 it chronographs at 1045 FPS. Alliant does not give a pressure reading for this load.

Wireman134 · #93 03-13-2022, 08:36 PM

My .38 +P load is 7gr SR4756 under the GT 145gr. LSWCHP sized to .358". A firm taper crimp in bottom crimp grove. 1.520" OAL at about 950-1,000fps out of my M36-7.

ArchAngelCD · #94 03-13-2022, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wireman134

My .38 +P load is 7gr SR4756 under the GT 145gr. LSWCHP sized to .358". A firm taper crimp in bottom crimp grove. 1.520" OAL at about 950-1,000fps out of my M36-7.

Not many of us are lucky enough to still have any SR powders let alone SR4756. My favorite SR powder was 4759 but of course not for the .38 Special in any form.

I wish I had known the SR powders were going to disappear but I just didn't realize what a loss they would be at the time.

AzShooter · #95 03-13-2022, 10:17 PM

I had a special mold made for me. It was 180 flat nose and I asked for the same bullet in a round nose for my revolver. It turned out to be 186 grains.

I worked up a load for USPSA competition to make Major and found 4.5 grains of Unique easily made Major. The biggest feature is that it shot 1 inch groups all day from a bench at 25 yards.