Speer 38+P 135gr Gold Dot SB

noshow · Aug 16, 2020

I want to replicate this factory load for practice, it's very hard to source a new supply. Can you suggest powders and weights that best duplicate the factory load? I plan to use the original Speer bullet or the Hornady 140gr XTP. My main concerns would not be velocity, expansion or even accuracy, but rather duplicating felt recoil, flash & muzzle blast. I'll leave velocity, penetration & accuracy up to Speer, just looking for a training load! Thanks in advance!

Rule3 · Aug 16, 2020

How hard was this??

https://reloading-data.speer-ammo.c...iber_357-358_dia/38_Special_P_135_GDHP_SB.pdf

BE Mike · Aug 16, 2020

Here's what I came up with when trying to duplicate the .38 SPL and .357 Mag. loads. The velocities are from a S&W 642 and S&W 60-10. The charges are about maximum.

S&W modS&W 642 .38 SPL Gold Dot Factory 135 gr. 881fps, 893

S&W 642 .38 SPL reloads GD 135 gr. 807fps, 798, 785
6.4 gr. Power Pistol el 60,.357 Mag. Gold Dot Factory 135 gr. 1387fps
3” barrel

.357 Mag. Reloads, 9.6 gr. Power Pistol, GD 135 gr. 1222fps, 1226
S&W model 60, 3” bbl. with .38 SPL reload 894fps
6.4 gr. Power Pistol

Nevada Ed · Aug 16, 2020

I got the best accuracy out of my M49 with this 135gr bullet with
Red Dot powder, with w231 and Unique in the back seat.

All produced fac dup. speeds and low flash.

The 140 XTP will give deeper penetration but can also be accurate.

Good loading.

ArchAngelCD · Aug 17, 2020

The 135gr bullet over 6.8gr AA#5 is my replica load.

BE Mike · Aug 17, 2020

I believe I used Winchester Small Pistol primers. It might be possible to get better velocity with Small Pistol Magnum primers.

Nevada Ed · Aug 21, 2020

As a note on practice ammo out of a 2" J frame........

the Hornady 140 XTP is a lot lower in price than the Gold Dot bullets and they can be
loaded from a light 734 to full 880 fps with just medium fast, burning speed powders, like Red Dot or w231.

A 125 JHP will work if you have them in stock, also........
with a light practice load from 830 to 840 fps for a J frame.

STORMINORMAN · Aug 22, 2020

One can also try the 140gr Sierra JHP, especially nice when on $ale at Midway, for this S/B practice application...

CFE-Pistol might be a good powder choice to get the velocity up to expansion levels.

Nice to load revolver bullets with a cannelure!

Cheers!

fredj338 · Aug 22, 2020

For punchng paper, just go 135-140gr coated lead. Load it to the same vel, go shoot. You nly need 900fps in a 4" gun, easily done with 6-8 powders, starting with Unique going slower to aa#7.
Missouri Bullet Company

rwsmith · Aug 28, 2020

I use middle ground.......

... hotter 135 gr. Gold Dot .38 Special +P reloads in my .357 in magnum brass. Get over 1000 fps and still doesn't blow my ears out indoors.

Speer 38+P 135gr Gold Dot SB

noshow

Member

Rule3

Member

BE Mike

Member

Nevada Ed

US Veteran

ArchAngelCD

Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade

BE Mike

Member

Nevada Ed

US Veteran

STORMINORMAN

Member

fredj338

Member

rwsmith

Member

Similar threads

Latest posts