125 gr 38 special load
- Thread starter joe sacco
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venomballistics
Member
Take a look at the WW reloading site. 231 would be a place to start.
What manuals do you have? Where have you looked on line. What powder companies data do you have??
buck460XVR
Member
Both Hodgdon and Alliant have good on line references for .38+p. Google is your friend. But I assume your manual/manuals have plenty also.
Actually, gentlemen, I have a wide variety of manuals, powder company data, info off the handloader websites etc. I was looking for a recommendation from someone more experienced than I for something that they had developed for short barreled Smith revolvers. I posted here because I assumed that this would be where specialists in this area might be; people who's experience and expertise I value.
Although there are many cookbooks in the house, if I were looking for a recipe for an untried dish I would probably seek the opinion of someone at a web forum dedicated to the specialty under the assumption that they might know a good one and be interested in sharing. Sorry.
Best, Joe
.
Although there are many cookbooks in the house, if I were looking for a recipe for an untried dish I would probably seek the opinion of someone at a web forum dedicated to the specialty under the assumption that they might know a good one and be interested in sharing. Sorry.
Best, Joe
.
With all due respect, the Speer Manual has many loads for a short barrel 38 +P load, The Hodgdon Website also lists +P loads using the Hornady XTP bullet. I load what's in my manuals, I have no special formula for a SW. The same load will shoot out of a Ruger snubby.
There is no magic load or bullet, There is the FBI load but that is using a Lead bullet.
There is no magic load or bullet, There is the FBI load but that is using a Lead bullet.
What I was looking for was somebody that maybe had a "pet" load specifically for the Remington 125 gr.
Most of my pistol re-loading has been with 9mm and I have developed good loads in a variety of bullets for it. I have not had success with 38 loads. I get frustratingly inconsistent results.
I, and later my son, was a national level service rifle and hi-power competitor (Camp Perry, National Police Olympics etc) and I have re-loaded many thousands of rounds of 223 (10,000 rds a year for several years). When Jimmy Knox (JLK bullets) was developing heavy bullets for the 223 for long range competition, I was among the folks he sent samples to for testing. I know something about precision rifle loads.
Even so, I regularly read threads asking basic questions about 223 loads and bullets and, if I have something I think may be helpful, reply, even if the questions have been asked and answered before. I figure that's the purpose of the forums, to share knowledge. If I'm not interested in a particular thread, I just skip it, I'm not offended by it.
Please understand, I'm not trying to pick a fight, I thought I was asking a simple question.
Best, Joe
Most of my pistol re-loading has been with 9mm and I have developed good loads in a variety of bullets for it. I have not had success with 38 loads. I get frustratingly inconsistent results.
I, and later my son, was a national level service rifle and hi-power competitor (Camp Perry, National Police Olympics etc) and I have re-loaded many thousands of rounds of 223 (10,000 rds a year for several years). When Jimmy Knox (JLK bullets) was developing heavy bullets for the 223 for long range competition, I was among the folks he sent samples to for testing. I know something about precision rifle loads.
Even so, I regularly read threads asking basic questions about 223 loads and bullets and, if I have something I think may be helpful, reply, even if the questions have been asked and answered before. I figure that's the purpose of the forums, to share knowledge. If I'm not interested in a particular thread, I just skip it, I'm not offended by it.
Please understand, I'm not trying to pick a fight, I thought I was asking a simple question.
Best, Joe
forestswin
Member
Joe
Here is a link to a good thread on this subject posted here this past January.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/229514-125-grn-loads-38-special.html
Here is a link to a good thread on this subject posted here this past January.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/229514-125-grn-loads-38-special.html
David LaPell
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I happen to have my cop of Lyman's Pistol & Revolver Handbook 3rd Edition right here in front of me so here it goes.
125 grain JHP
Bullseye-
3.2 start and 5.0 Max +P (MV 920 fps for max load)
Titegroup-
4.0 grains start and 5.0 grain Max for +P (1,001 fps for Max load)
Win 231-
3.9 grains start and 5.4 grains Max +P (882 fps for Max load)
Unique-
4.0 grains start and 6.0 grains Max (895 fps for Max load)
Power Pistol-
5.4 grains start and 6.4 grains Max +P (1,005 fps for Max load)
According to the manual all the velocities were obtained through a 4-inch barrel.
I would say that a good investment would be a decent manual. If you want a nice manual I would get the Lyman pistol and revolver handbook if you only plan on loading for handguns.
125 grain JHP
Bullseye-
3.2 start and 5.0 Max +P (MV 920 fps for max load)
Titegroup-
4.0 grains start and 5.0 grain Max for +P (1,001 fps for Max load)
Win 231-
3.9 grains start and 5.4 grains Max +P (882 fps for Max load)
Unique-
4.0 grains start and 6.0 grains Max (895 fps for Max load)
Power Pistol-
5.4 grains start and 6.4 grains Max +P (1,005 fps for Max load)
According to the manual all the velocities were obtained through a 4-inch barrel.
I would say that a good investment would be a decent manual. If you want a nice manual I would get the Lyman pistol and revolver handbook if you only plan on loading for handguns.
For a direct answer to your question with a couple of loads in an
actual typical revolver rather than a test barrel I can offer the
following; the gun is my S&W md 60-7 with 1 7/8" barrel.
Factory Remington Golden Saber 125 gr +P JHPs avg. 872 fps.
Looking basically to duplicate factory velocity I got these with 125 gr
Sierra JHPs; 5.0 grs Bullseye = 867 fps, 5.8 grs W231 = 896 fps.
I load mostly cast lead bullets in the 38 spl but I do feel that the
125 gr JHP is a usefull bullet weight for those who want to load
their own +Ps.
actual typical revolver rather than a test barrel I can offer the
following; the gun is my S&W md 60-7 with 1 7/8" barrel.
Factory Remington Golden Saber 125 gr +P JHPs avg. 872 fps.
Looking basically to duplicate factory velocity I got these with 125 gr
Sierra JHPs; 5.0 grs Bullseye = 867 fps, 5.8 grs W231 = 896 fps.
I load mostly cast lead bullets in the 38 spl but I do feel that the
125 gr JHP is a usefull bullet weight for those who want to load
their own +Ps.
ray45
Member
Just me and not a recommendation for anyone else but I loaded some 38 special cases with 125 gr jhp and (notxxxxxxxgr ) 6 gr Unique that were very accurate with no signs of excessive pressure in my Ruger LCR and . Smooth shooting also.
Edit: Lcr 357
Sorry, my bad!!! ...... correction I checked ammo box....
38 special cases... 125 gr jhp... cci primers...6 gr Unique
357 cases .........125gr jhp.....cci primers... 8 gr unique
Edit: Lcr 357
Sorry, my bad!!! ...... correction I checked ammo box....
38 special cases... 125 gr jhp... cci primers...6 gr Unique
357 cases .........125gr jhp.....cci primers... 8 gr unique
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Is there really any need to Parrot back or copy known data from a manual for any load?? Anything over and above the data from the powder company or tested loads in manuals is not responsible reloading and can cause problems when info is taken off the internet. Sure experienced reloaders want to push the limits or envelope.
Laws of physics, you can only get so much velocity out of a short barrel no matter what you do. The rest turns to flash and bang.
Generally the "best" short barrel loads use slower burning powders, but we do not have the powders that the factory ammo has.
Everyone has their favorite. A simple glance at Speer #14 gives a list in order of FPS. Unique, Power Pistol, AA #5 are some of the common ones.
I have been experimenting with the 327 Federal Mag and am getting the best results with Power Pistol, Better than H110 and 2400 which shouldn't be?? Lots of flash and noise.
I suspect it would be very good in the 38 +P.
Bottom line, the only way to tell is with a Chronograph and your gun.
Laws of physics, you can only get so much velocity out of a short barrel no matter what you do. The rest turns to flash and bang.
Generally the "best" short barrel loads use slower burning powders, but we do not have the powders that the factory ammo has.
Everyone has their favorite. A simple glance at Speer #14 gives a list in order of FPS. Unique, Power Pistol, AA #5 are some of the common ones.
I have been experimenting with the 327 Federal Mag and am getting the best results with Power Pistol, Better than H110 and 2400 which shouldn't be?? Lots of flash and noise.
I suspect it would be very good in the 38 +P.
Bottom line, the only way to tell is with a Chronograph and your gun.
My favorite load for 125 grain jacketed bullets in a 38 Spec is 6.0 grains of Unique. That is a +P load. It is maximum and should not be exceeded.
Are you sure about the weight of the powder charge? That is ------- higher than what I see listed in loading manual that I own.
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Joe, don't take offence at some of the replies here ("look in your manual", "do your own research"). We just had a bunch of similar questions and a thread on the subject, and some reacted to lazy questioners. For some it's easier to ask a question on a forum than to think and look up a powder manufacturer's load data.
Personally, I pay very little attention to any loads I see on line. No loads from any forum "expert", Unka Bob's reloading site, Gun Shop Guru, Range Rat, or gun counter clerk. While most are being helpful, their hearts are in the right place, I've seen/heard some pretty wild loads offered as "my favorite". I prefer to get my load data from a published load manual, and there are enough combinations of components to last me quite a while (30 years off and on)...
Personally, I pay very little attention to any loads I see on line. No loads from any forum "expert", Unka Bob's reloading site, Gun Shop Guru, Range Rat, or gun counter clerk. While most are being helpful, their hearts are in the right place, I've seen/heard some pretty wild loads offered as "my favorite". I prefer to get my load data from a published load manual, and there are enough combinations of components to last me quite a while (30 years off and on)...
ray45
Member
You are right
Sorry, correction I checked my ammo box....
38 special cases... 125 gr jhp... cci primers...6 gr Unique
357 cases .........125gr jhp.....cci primers... 8 gr unique
tejano
Member
In my 686, 8.0 grains of HS6 and Remington's 125 JHP in 38 special cases works well for me. I got the combo years ago from one of Paco Kelly's articles.
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