Lyman 2400 data for 38 Special

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mikerjf

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I ran on to an online thread with data claimed to be from an old Lyman manual. I've only got one - if anyone has nothing to do today and wants to look at their old manuals, love to hear where/what age this data is from. (Or any other 2400 max 38Sp loads)

For 38 Special, 158g cast bullet:

The load in question was 11.5g of 2400 chrono'd at 1037 fps.

My Lyman 45th (1970ish) shows a max of 11.0g of 2400 giving 1010 fps from a 6" barrel.
 
One of my old manuals shows the lead 158 38 special load at 1156fps
with Alliant 2400 powder.

However, some state that back in those days the testers might have been rolling more than just loads, as they tested out the ammo, as they worked.

"Hay man, cool............ look at these numbers" !!

I have found several loads in different manuals....................
that I stay away from, due to they are hotter than what I use or
what I think is a misprint on the grs. stated in the material.

Note;
2400 powder is not at its best in a 38 case.
I save mine for the .357 Magnum with 140 gr or heavier bullets.
In my 2" J frame Unique or BDot will match 2400 for a +P loading with half the powder.
 
Last edited:
AJ said:
As the loading manual get newer the loading data seems to decrease. Blame this sue crazy nation and Lawyers!
Click to expand...

Not true for the most part, but this is a commonly stated reason for load reduction in manuals. Pressure measuring equipment is more accurate today than it used to be. No doubt liability is a concern, but not nearly as much as what some think. Lots of old data was never pressure tested; years later when it was, it was found to be too warm, requiring a load reduction.
 
I just typed <38 special and 2400 powder data >and hit search and it was there. The Lee reloading manual has it also. 158-200 grain lead loads.
 
Last edited:
4barrel said:
I just typed <38 special and 2400 powder data >and hit search and it was there. The Lee reloading manual has it also. 158-200 grain lead loads.
Click to expand...

Always safer to use data other than Lee unless you can confirm Lee data by using the original source where Lee got it from. Bear in mind there is a possibility some of the data in the Lee book may have come from an older source where the data was not pressure tested.
 
mikerjf said:
I ran on to an online thread with data claimed to be from an old Lyman manual. I've only got one - if anyone has nothing to do today and wants to look at their old manuals, love to hear where/what age this data is from. (Or any other 2400 max 38Sp loads)

For 38 Special, 158g cast bullet:

The load in question was 11.5g of 2400 chrono'd at 1037 fps.

My Lyman 45th (1970ish) shows a max of 11.0g of 2400 giving 1010 fps from a 6" barrel.
Click to expand...

The oldest loading manual that I have is a "Complete Guide To Handloading" by Phillip Sharpe. Phillip Sharpe is one of the fathers of the .357 Magnum. The original copyright in the manual is 1937. It does show loads for the 158 gr cast, but none for 2400. However, it does show 2400 for a 146 gr SHP. The charges run from 12.0 - 16.0 grains of 2400, with the velocities from 1200 - 1511 FPS. Probably meant for N frame revolvers, not sure I want to try it in my 27-2.
 
AJ said:
The oldest loading manual that I have is a "Complete Guide To Handloading" by Phillip Sharpe. Phillip Sharpe is one of the fathers of the .357 Magnum. The original copyright in the manual is 1937. It does show loads for the 158 gr cast, but none for 2400. However, it does show 2400 for a 146 gr SHP. The charges run from 12.0 - 16.0 grains of 2400, with the velocities from 1200 - 1511 FPS. Probably meant for N frame revolvers, not sure I want to try it in my 27-2.
Click to expand...

Sharpe had a hand in designing the original .357 Magnum bullet, the Hensley & Gibbs #51, a 160 grain cast plan base SWC. Still the best bullet I've found for .357 and .38 Special.
 
Discovered while developing 38/44 loads for my pre23 ODM that Uncle Elmers 13.5grs of 2400 behind a 170gr LY35829 ( Keith's design ) in a 38 special case is most probably above current 357mag 35K limit . I stopped at 12.5grs , same bullet , Fed 100primer , Starline 38 +P cases . Out of a 6.5" barrel I was getting mid 1300's & spreads were still 50fps , below that they were triple digit . Like all Herc / Alliant flake powders it works best @ the upper end of its envelope . BTW I settled on 12.5grs H4227 , WSPM , same bullet / cases runs 1150 , & 7.0grs SR4756 / Fed 100 runs about 1175 . Much kinder on a 68yr old gun .
 
I use 10.5 grs. of A 2400 w/ 158 gr. cast LSWCs in my 38 Specials... including a Smith 36 w/2" bbl. Have done so for decades... Granted, used sparingly and they're pressing a bit... but they do work and work well... Why so little info in manuals for 2400 in 38 specials in recent decades is beyond me. It's a great powder for the 38 Special.

The Preacher
 
Well, here are a few.
Speer #7, 1966. 160 grain cast SWC, 10.5 2400/1020fps
Speer#8, 1970, 158 cast SWC, 11.0 2400, 1155 fps
Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 2018 155 grain cast SWC, 8.3 2400/867fps


Most of my more recent manuals don’t list 2400 in .38 Special.
 
So “Nuclear #8” only goes to 11g? Interesting...
 
Old and still Farting

The Chevy 283 motor was known for running a LONG time; And so the 38 Special. when you maximize the short term, you minimize the long term. I'm just saying.
 
Ken Waters was a writer for Handloader magazine for years . He published his " pet loads " in manuals . His pet load for the 38 special using a 158 gr cast bullet was 11.0 grs of 2400 . It's a good load based on my own personal experience . It never " loosened up " any of my 38 special handguns . Regards Paul
 
cowboy4evr said:
Ken Waters was a writer for Handloader magazine for years . He published his " pet loads " in manuals . His pet load for the 38 special using a 158 gr cast bullet was 11.0 grs of 2400 . It's a good load based on my own personal experience . It never " loosened up " any of my 38 special handguns . Regards Paul
Click to expand...

I think Ken Waters was easily the best handloading journalist of modern times. The 11 grs. #2400 /158 gr. load is probably a good, safe, and "sensible" maximum load for the .38 Special.
 
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