favorite 38 SPL loads

[hotrod150]

How about everyone posting their favorite 38 spl loads, preferably self-defense loads only. Of course, all the normal disclaimers apply: don't try this at home, your mileage may vary, it's your own fault if you blow up your gun, etc etc.
As for myself, my practice load is a Speer 148 gr HBWC over 3.6gr W231. Carry load is a Speer 158 gr SWC-HP over 4.5 W231.
I have loaded a couple dozen of the HBWC's over 4.5 W231, and although speer cautions against hot loads for this bullet they worked fine with no sign of skirt separation. I'm also thinking of working the 158 gr load up toward +P levels, probably over about 5.0 W231 which should still be relatively moderate pressure.

 

[gwpercle]

preferably self defense loads only?

O.K. here's my preference: 38 Special

Inverted Swaged Hollow Based Wadcutter , 148 grain. ( forms a big hollow point when loaded this way).

Over 3.5 grains Bullseye. This clocks 801 fps from a 2 inch J-frame S&W airweight and expands to .715 inch in diameter
(thats almost 3/4 inch diameter. standard primers and a light light crimp about 3/16 inch of the bullet sticking out past the end of the case ( not seated full flush ).

This load is not great for deep penetration but is wonderful for expansion. A heavy cast solid, like Lyman 358429 , 170 gr. SWC would be better for penetration but thats a hunting load.

Gary

 

[Old cop]

I use the old FBI +P 158 grain load b/c it was our issued ammo back when and I know it works.

 

[rwsmith]

For home

I use a 140 grain Sierra Hollow point at just under 1000 ft/sec (book info, not clocked) I'm thinking about trying a short barrel Speer 135 gr Gold Dot when they become available even though I have a long barrel, it will still be at .38 velocities.

For a 125 gr JHP I use 6.4-7 grains of Unique. It's a hot one for .38 which I found in an old Sierra reloading book.

When bullets become less scarce I'm going to branch out.

Update. I'm mostly home defense so I don't care whether I put factory or reload in my gun. In SC they have rarely gone after a homeowner if someone was in their house.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I don't cc with reloads. I use whatever the LEOs are using, good quality factory ammo. One other issue is this. If I do have to shoot someone, when questioned about the ammo I use I'd rather say "the same as LE" than "I load special for defense" and get into an explanation about what that means.

 

[Sebago Son]

I shoot alot of the Lyman 358429 (172 grns. +,-) over 5.0 grns of Unique.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I have a lot of SD +P loads but they go from a 1 7/8" tube to a 6 inch barrel and what works in one does not always work in the other weapons.

I will say that Red Dot, w231, Green Dot and Unique have been the most powders that have worked for me over the years in the 38 special cases.

125 Jhp to the large 158gr lead HP have been my go to SD bullets in the 38 special, just depends on how much energy and recoil you want to dial up for each gun.

Way too many loads to list with all the bullets and powders that I have used over the years.........but it will come down to what you feel comfortable with. Some like light and fast where some feel better with large and slow.............
Some have "Summer loads" and then switch over to "Winter loads".

Later.....

 

[Elliott41]

My practice load is a 158 grain LSWC and 3.5 grains of Trail Boss. For home defense I stick with factory loads because the People's Republic of California is too litigious - I'm afraid the defendant's lawyers would try to convince the jury I made armor-piercing depleted uranium bullets which couldn't be bought on the open market.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

How about everyone posting their favorite 38 spl loads, preferably self-defense loads only. Of course, all the normal disclaimers apply: don't try this at home, your mileage may vary, it's your own fault if you blow up your gun, etc etc.
As for myself, my practice load is a Speer 148 gr HBWC over 3.6gr W231. Carry load is a Speer 158 gr SWC-HP over 4.5 W231.
I have loaded a couple dozen of the HBWC's over 4.5 W231, and although speer cautions against hot loads for this bullet they worked fine with no sign of skirt separation. I'm also thinking of working the 158 gr load up toward +P levels, probably over about 5.0 W231 which should still be relatively moderate pressure.

I don't know where you got that 5.0gr W231 load from but Hodgdon lists 5.0gr W231 under a 158gr LSWC as their Max .357 Magnum load with pressures of 24,000 PSI. That's hardly a relatively moderate pressure for any .38 Special +P!

If you want to replicate the FBI Load I suggest you use a slower powder. It will generate more velocity without excessive pressures. I was very successful replicating the FBI load with that 158gr LSWC/HP Speer bullet, HS-6 and a CCI-550 primer.

 

[alwslate]

Lyman lists loads with 231 and 158 gr cast bullets of up to 5.1 grs as
standard pressure and loads starting with 5.2 grs as +P in the 38 spl.
Pressure is listed as 18,500 CUP which is well below maximum +P
levels. My handload for my Airweight J frames is a standard pressure
load according to all published data I could find anywhere. It is 4.0 grs
of Bullseye under a cast 148 gr flat base WC with crimping groove
that has about 1/8" of the bullet sticking out of the case. It clocks
820 fps out of my 1 7/8" md 37 and should be about as effective as
anything else out of a lightweight snubby.

 

[blujax01]

I don't cc with reloads. I use whatever the LEOs are using, good quality factory ammo. One other issue is this. If I do have to shoot someone, when questioned about the ammo I use I'd rather say "the same as LE" than "I load special for defense" and get into an explanation about what that means.

And which active Law Enforcement Officers are carrying .38 Specials these days? Other than the occasional Court Bailiff, or retired cop turned security guard, all I see on the street are autofeeders.

Oh well, not the subject of this thread anyway...

4.3 grains of Titegroup under the Remington Scalloped 158 grain SJHP.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Just as a note;
5.0 grs of 231 in my M49 snub nose was a +P velocity but.....
the group was all over the place with the 158gr lead bullet.
I see no need to try more powder in a J frame with this powder.

Four other powders got higher fps and also grouped better in my revolver.

 

[Cervus canadensis]

My carry ammunition in my 442 is 125gr Speer GDHP or 125gr Hornady Critical Defense.

My practice loads are 125gr LRN bullets over 4.0gr W231. Very pleasant out of my 442 and point of impact is very similar to my carry ammo. I also load 158gr LSWC bullets over 4.0gr W231 but the recoil is substantially greater and point of impact is different than my carry rounds.

 

[hotrod150]

I use the old FBI +P 158 grain load b/c it was our issued ammo back when and I know it works.

I'm hoping to limit this discussion to handload recipes. I assume issued ammo was factory stuff which can be discussed in the "ammo" forum. And I'm also hoping to limit discussion to self-defense or similar loads because I'm more interested in those than in light target or plinking loads (however accurate they may be). Thanks.

 

[KKECK5]

I use the old FBI +P 158 grain load b/c it was our issued ammo back when and I know it works.

Someone old as me....That's the same load both my Departments issued and used till my retirement.

 

[chief38]

I don't carry hand loads for self defense, I use Buffalo Bore +P HEAVY 158 grain LSWCHP-GC (#20A).

For target shooting, practice or plinking I use hard cast 158 grain RNL bullets over 3.2 grains of Titegroup which is a relatively pleasant load to shoot and quite accurate. There is plenty of room here to spice them up a bit for heavier practice ammo should you want to. Just look at Hodgedon's loading data on their website.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't carry hand loads for self defense, I use Buffalo Bore +P HEAVY 158 grain LSWCHP-GC (#20A).

For target shooting, practice or plinking I use hard cast 158 grain RNL bullets over 3.2 grains of Titegroup which is a relatively pleasant load to shoot and quite accurate. There is plenty of room here to spice them up a bit for heavier practice ammo should you want to. Just look at Hodgedon's loading data on their website.

I can't afford enough of that buffalo bore ammo to practice with so I can't carry it. It just costs too much and there are other good options that don't cost as much.

As for the Hodgdon load data site, they have no .38 Special +P data for lead bullets. The little they have in standard pressure .38 Specials is anemic at best.

 

[mkk41]

I keep factory ammo for carry. I have my carry and house guns mostly loaded with Glaser Safety Slugs. Spare mags and speedloaders have whatever is on hand.

In .38 I have a box of Federal Nyclad 125gr HP+P , a box of Winchester Silvertip 145gr STHP+P.

I've read they're highly effective against blocks of gelatin!

 

[stavman11]

Just shot some 158gr SWC and FN with w231 at 4.6gr... was a NICE Load... the 4.0gr and 4.3 seemed real nice as well

Loaded up more at the 4.6gr with SWC, RN and FN ta try and chrono next trip out...

 

[jringo8769]

Hey what does anyone have for a favorite load for the older j frame aluminum frame 2"..i am not having great luck with what i am loading for it..4.5 grains unique with a lead bullet...