Chronograph tests - nice 38 Spl +P load

[38SPL HV]

Little over a week ago, I chronographed various loads. Here is a 38 Spl +P load using a 158 gr LSWC which duplicates for all practical purposes, the velocity of Remington’s 38 Spl +P 158 gr lhp:

Firearm: Ruger 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk
Chronograph: LabRadar (10 shots)
Cases: R&P 38 Spl brass cases
Bullet: Speer 158 gr LSWC
Primer: CCI-500
OAL: 1.440”
Powder: Alliant Power Pistol
Powder weight: 5.6 grs
Avg: 949 FPS
Hi: 960 FPS
Lo: 935 FPS
ES: 25
SD: 10

Observations: Power Pistol always gives “tight” ESs and SDs, and corresponding fine accuracy. This is a great 38 Spl +P load for your precious S&W Heavy Duty 38 Special revolvers...not a 38-44 load but a solid and powerful 38 Spl +P that will not abuse those fine old (and expensive) handguns.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Glad that you stated...........

" for your precious S&W Heavy Duty 38 Special revolvers... "

since a 158gr lead in my J frame at 950fps is just a wee too much for me
even though I have loaded that high, just that the recoil and pressures are a bit much for my M49 and my old age.

Great load for a K frame heavy frame, though, as you stated.......
as well as a fast 125gr JHP with lots of Unique powder.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Unfortunately I find Power Pistol too flashy for this application even though the results are good. I'm wondering if BE-86 with it's flash suppressant might be a better choice?

I'm currently using HS-6 for the same application but it poses the same flash problem, just a little less.

Thanks for posting your data.

 

[38SPL HV]

Probably never noticed the flash with cast bullets and shooting outside with plenty of desert sunlight. I tried BE-86 but due to lack of loading data for it with cast bullets, and the fact Power Pistol gives me slightly higher velocities within published loading guidelines, I’ll stick with Power Pistol.

I also stick with Unique in 357 Magnum 1,100 FPS loads...it fills the case more with a given charge weight than “Bullseye” type powders.

2400 for magnum loads...

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Unfortunately I find Power Pistol too flashy for this application even though the results are good. I'm wondering if BE-86 with it's flash suppressant might be a better choice?

I'm currently using HS-6 for the same application but it poses the same flash problem, just a little less.

Thanks for posting your data.

800X does a good job without the flash.I know it meters like pancakes but I went around that problem and now does a fine job for me.

 

[Carrier]

800X does a good job without the flash.I know it meters like pancakes but I went around that problem and now does a fine job for me.

How did you do that?

 

[Forrest r]

Power pistol is an excellent powder for the 38spl/44spl/45acp. Brings a lot of thump to the table in those cartridges.

Several years ago Brian Pearce did an article for handloader magazine using a 2" bbl'd ruger lcr. He used a rimrock 158gr lead gc hp bullet and 6.3gr of power pistol to duplicate buffalo bores 1000fps/158gr lead gc hp load.

Myself I use 6.2 gr with a 158gr cast hp for a 950fps load in a 2" bbl'd ca undercover.

BE-86 is a good powder there's just not enough data out there for it. With the alliant data it does no better/worse than unique. Last year I bought a # of be-86 and burned it up testing a lot of different bullets/loads in the 38spl/44spl/45acp. At the end of the day nothing stood out with be-86 that several other powders couldn't do better.

On a side note:
Muzzle flash is soooooooooooooooo over rated!!!! Heck you don't even realize your ears are ringing until the music stops & several minutes later.