.38 S&W, whoda thunk it?

[Vulcan Bob]

I've been reloading for the .38 S&W useing lead bullets only. Going thru an old Speer number nine manual I went over the jacketed bullet data and figured why not give it a go. Useing the Hornady 125gr XTP bullet over a charge of Unique with a standard primer. This load should give about 900 fps out of my four inch 33-1. Fired fifty of these, no pressure signs with easy extraction and the accuracy was quite good and oddly enough the only load so far to shoot to the sights. This was a bit of a surprise as the bullet dia. of the Hornadys are .357, well under the nominal .360 the .38 S&W call's for, couple this with a rather long cylinder to barrel jump I did not expect much from this load. Now this is not a defensive use gun and I just like to plink with it but this load I feel ramps up the performance level a bit. Anyone else have any jacked bullet eperience with the .38 S&W?

 

[Andy Griffith]

My 5" Webley MKIV likes this same load. I don't know why...

Incidentally, this was the first load I ever tried to load myself (125gr. Speer though), 'cause I couldn't afford the ammo for this caliber at the time.

 

[NKJ nut]

I am getting 975 fps with an ES of 18 pushing a 145 gr. SWC using Autocomp, in my Model 33. So yes with the right gun the 38 S&W is very capable.

BTW Bob, if your 33 is like mine it has the same bore dimensions as the .38 Spl.