Practice rounds for my (lightweight) j-frames--the M&P 340 and the 360 (new scandium-framed 38 Special on the 357 frame)--are reloads built around two basic criteria:
1. "GDSB38+P135JHP" performance--e.g., a 140-gr. LTC running 860-900 fps.
2. "FBI800" performance--a 158-gr. LSWC running 800+ fps.
Both these rounds were developed with "replica recoil" in mind--e.g., to have the same feel of the factory round. IMO, this is really an important factor, as it allows acclimation on your part to that factory round.
The two basic recipes are the following:
1. For the GDSB38+P135 gr, about 7.0 gr. of AA#5 over a 140LTC (See Chey Cast, and others) works, using a Starline 38 Special Case and WSPs. LOA is typically about 1.450. Chrono'd velocity is at 860 or higher, depending on the temp.
2. For the "FBI800," about 6.1 gr. of AA#5 works. This one runs just over 800 fps, perhaps 815 or so, and feels about like the Rem 38S12.
Accuracy is good to excellent, and the POA does not shift greatly at SD distances (out to 15 yards). Crimp and weight tweaking is needed to fine-tune the load for you / your 442.
Note that both of these loads are at about 20,000 psi, but both are under the CIP max of 21,750 psi for 38 Special.
I've loaded and shot about 15,000 of these rounds over the past twenty months. At current component costs, including new case amortization, I figure it costs about 12-13 cents a round to build.
Other powders I've explored typically do NOT match the "factory feel". However, I now also use Ramshot's True Blue as the powder, but at different charge weights.
The Gold Dot Short Barrel "replica reloads" have been discussed at the THR Reloading Form (either *.org or *.US). A Google limited to that forum with terms such as GDSB, etc., should turn up the threads.
Jim H.
