.38 +P 125 gr SJHP Pet Loads

[Mack]

I picked up a box (2000) of Remington .357 125 grain SJHP bullets and have a quantity of .38 +P once fired brass on hand. While not a big fan of the 125 grain bullets now that I have bunch I need a good +P load for same. These are for use in 3" .357's (M13's, 65, 66, 686) so I am interested in a fairly stiff short barrel load, any info much appreciated.

TIA

m.

 

[Steve C]

For a +P .38 spl load I use 6.0grs of Unique or 6.3grs of Power Pistol behind any 125gr JHP. Velcoity is around 1,050 fps from a 4" barrel M66. 8.5grs of HS-6 gave me 1,024 fps from a 3.5" M27.

For .357 magnum 125gr JHP's I use 13.8grs of Blue Dot which produces right at the factory 1,450 fps from a 4" barrel.

FYI, there's no difference other than the head stamp between .38 spl +P and standard brass. The +P stamp is for load discrimination only, so any .38 spl case for your +P loads is fine.

 

[cjw3]

Any brass you have for .38 Special will suffice for +P loads.

I have had some +P-marked brass that would bulge when flush seating wadcutters, so there is a dimensional difference in some makes. Never had it as an issue with jacketed or SWC's with their shallower seating depth.

 

[Hoptob]

Hi Mack,

I think you will find some stiff loads in the current VV manual; N340 and 3N37 should work well in your 3-incher. These loads are all within SAAMI specs for 38spl+P. Since you are planning to use 357 mag revolvers, pushing your handloads a bit over the rugged edge shouldn't hurt anything.

Mike

 

[KSCowboy]

I use 6.3 grains Power Pistol with the Remington 125 grain SJHP, it chronos at 964 fps from my wife's 3" Model 64 and 1043 from my 3" Model 60.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm not much for 125gr bullets for .38 special +P or .357 Magnum ammo but when I do load them for the .38 Special +P I use a slower powder than for standard pressure .38's. HS-6 works very well for that application as does AA#5.

 

[Mack]

I'm not much for 125gr bullets for .38 special +P or .357 Magnum ammo but when I do load them for the .38 Special +P I use a slower powder than for standard pressure .38's. HS-6 works very well for that application as does AA#5.

I am leaning towards these two powders as I have a good supply of both and you can get decent velocity with them.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Not only can you get good velocity from HS-6 but the pressures are lower than with other powders in the same burn rate range when delivering the same velocity.

Too bad you aren't looking for a 158gr LSWC/HP load because I have a GREAT one using HS-6 for the .38 +P.

 

[Mack]

Not only can you get good velocity from HS-6 but the pressures are lower than with other powders in the same burn rate range when delivering the same velocity.

Too bad you aren't looking for a 158gr LSWC/HP load because I have a GREAT one using HS-6 for the .38 +P.

ArchAngelCD,
I am interested in your 158 gr load also, the FBI load is what I use for SD carry with a M13 or 65. I still have a full case of the Remington reserved for serious use.