38 Spl +P 170 gr Keith - Chronographed

[38SPL HV]

I have developed a nice shooting 38 Spl +P loading using BE-86 and 170 gr Rim Rock Keith SWC:

Firearm: Ruger 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk
Case: Starline 38 Spl +P
Bullet: 170 gr Keith (Rim Rock)
Load: 4.8 grs BE-86 (RCBS Little Dandy #7 Rotor)
10 shots:
Hi 927 fps
Lo 903 fps
Avg 914 fps
ES 24
SD 6

Notes: Shoots very accurately for me from my Ruger 4 5/8. Smooth shooting. I intend to chronograph it from my S&W Heavy Duty 5 inch. I prefer to load Keith type bullets in 38 Spl cases as Elmer Keith intended but not with those potent 2400 recipes. 900-975 fps is my preferred range low to high with these Keith SWC bullets. I also like the fact that BE-86 is readily available and is a good substitute for Unique in 38/357. BE-86 measures great and I get a bit more accuracy and velocity with it compared with Unique in 38 Spl +P and 357 Mid Range.



(Note: this load data is for informational purposes only and for use in my gun only. Please refer to latest commercial published load data)

 

[Nevada Ed]

Glad to see that BE-86 powder is working out for you in your load developments.

I noticed that Lyman also list 4.8 grs of Universal as a 940fps +P loading
with Unique only being listed at 4.2 grs at 841fps.

If you ever get hold of a Lyman 197 LRN #358430
I show data with Unique at 3.6 grs as my only load data.

My 38 special maximum weight bullets, only go to 158 grs, so far, for my needs.

Thanks for the information and data.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I tell ya, those are some very low ES and SD numbers for sure.

Thanks for posting the data.

 

[Nevada Ed]

BE-86 works Great in the 38 special.

My M49 with the Federal HST 130gr got a 17 ES, with BE-86 powder
with a Fac. Dup. loading.

 

[cowboy4evr]

38SPLHV , that is some very interesting numbers using the 173 gr swc . I have that mold also in a hollow point . The last time I loaded some up I used Unique . They proved to be very accurate . I don't have any BE-86 though . Thanks for posting your results . Regards Paul

 

[Pisgah]

With good accuracy that will be a nicely useful load.

 

[38SPL HV]

I tell ya, those are some very low ES and SD numbers for sure.

Thanks for posting the data.

I tested my load above in my S&W Heavy Duty 5 inch and the average velocity was similar but not the ES and SD!

S&W Heavy Duty 5 inch:
Load as my original post above (4.8 grs BE-86/170 gr Keith SWC)
Hi 932 fps
Lo 901 fps
Avg. 914 fps
ES 31
SD 10

 

[Nevada Ed]

If you ever get out and get a chance at a Jack rabbit, I would like to here how that large 170 lead bullet

did on contact and where the rabbit ended up.

I know what a 124gr 9mm and a 38 158 Lwc will do to a 25 yard rabbit,
hit in the shoulder area, if sitting up, plus how far a golf ball will carry !!

 

[38SPL HV]

Haven’t seen too many Jacks this year down here…five years ago they were all over the place…

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Haven’t seen too many Jacks this year down here…five years ago they were all over the place…

I'm guessing there are, or were plenty of Foxes when the rabbits were plentiful. A few years back our back yard was overrun with cotton tails. A momma Fox decided it was great hunting grounds to feed her pups. There have been no rabbits since but for this summer. There were plenty of chubby pups though for sure lol...

 

[71vette]

38SPL HV, what overall length did you use on this load? Also, thanks much for the velocity info!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

38SPL HV, what overall length did you use on this load? Also, thanks much for the velocity info!

Not to answer for anyone but cast bullets usually have a supplied crimp groove which is where that bullet should be seated to. Most times I don't even check the OAL of a cast bullet revolver load.

The OAL stated in the load manuals is only reporting what the OAL was for the bullet they used with the brass they used. It's not a steadfast requirement or a strict recipe. Unless you use the same exact bullet they used with the same exact brass trimmed to the length they used your OAL probably won't exactly match what the manual reports.

 

[38SPL HV]

38SPL HV, what overall length did you use on this load? Also, thanks much for the velocity info!

I crimped in the bullet’s crimp groove…don’t have anymore to measure, most likely in the range of 1.510-1.520. The Lyman Keith is a little longer, up to 1.530 +/- depending on the version.

 

[cowboy4evr]

My experience in a 38 special load , the Lyman 358429 ( Keith swc ) loaded on top of a good charge of Unique goes together like peanut butter and and jelly . Unique always works out good in many applications . I just feel that in some , there is a better powder . Many will disagree with me , that's just my opinion . I have never felt that the 173 gr swc was " too heavy " for caliber . It's a design that can go from " mild to wild " and do it with exceptional performance and accuracy . Regards Paul

 

[max503]

Thanks for posting that data. I've got a Lee 170 SWC. Never tried BE with it. Now I will.

 

[rockquarry]

There are many SWCs designs in the 158 - 170 grain range that include the #358156, H&G #51, #358429, #358439, and others. I prefer the H&G #51, but I've seen good accuracy with all of the above. There are a variety of suitable powders, but for standard pressure loads, it's hard to beat Bullseye or 231.