Favorite .38 SPL Snubbie loads?

[cowboy4evr]

My favorite 38spl load for many years was 5.0 grs of Unique w/158gr cast bullet . It was what Skeeter Skelton called a " good working mans load " . If I wanted a bit more power , 5.4grs / Unique did the trick . Before Unique I used Bullseye , even in 357 as it was the only powder I had / could afford at the time . I didn't get magnum performance but the accuracy was great and a bit more power too .

 

[at_liberty]

4.2 HP-38 with 125 gr cast TCFP, BHN 12 shoots to POA from my 3 1/2" Stallion and Lightning. I don't make any distinction for my all steel 38 Snub carry, because I only use purchased SD ammo, invariably Winchester Train and Defend.

 

[pete950]

3.2 of Bullsey with a 148 grain DEWC
2ND IS same bullet with 3.8 of BE86

 

[USSR]

A replicate FBI Load using HS-6 and a magnum primer @+P pressures.

Bullet on the right is ArchAngelCD's load.

Don

 

[Service Rifleman1]

I have been duplicating the FBI load using some Hornady LSWCHP's with some Unique 5.1 grain and Titegroup loads. I shot up my supplies of Hornady and I have some 158 SWC from Hunter's Supply with Titegroup 3.8 grains standard pressure loads. I also loaded some Nosler 158 JHP with 3.9 Titegroup. Winchester 125 JHP with 4.5 gr Titegroup. The loads all were accurate at a range of 10 yards. The 642-2 is not all steel and the grips I had on were Factory J frame wood grips that are checkered. The Airlight was pretty snarky in recoil and I will drop down and work up to a load that shoots to the point of aim. I have spoken to Mr Craig Spegel about ordering some of his bootgrips and I have read great things about the shootability of his grips. I have alot of +p loads that I worked up for my 64-5 Smith but I think I will stick to regular pressure loads for awhile with this Airlight. Makes me wonder how the all steel versions shoot? Have to look for an original M49 or the 649, and 640 versions to compliment the 38's I have. Safe shooting.

 

[Bakebfr480]

12.5 grs. of 2400 with Elmer's bullet.

 

[Fide686]

158 gr berrys 4.4 gr hp-38 nice load

 

[dubshooter]

3.5 Bullseye under 158 SWC.


Defense I carry Gold Dot short barrels in my 640. Really pleasant to shoot

 

[oneounceload]

A 158 gr LSWC for practice or JHP using Bullseye, 231, Universal, WST, Clays, and a few others.......

 

[riverrat38]

My snub is a M442.
125gr Xtreme plated flat point over 4.8 gr HP-38.
I also load the same bullets over 5.0 gr Trail Boss.

Best,
Rick

 

[Rpg]

My preference is 158 gr hard cast swc and Unique to a bit over 800 fps in my M38's.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I just tried the 158gr Lwc in my 6" 38 special with the new BE-86.
There is not much data out there but I loaded up in the middle of Alliants data
to see what turned out on the drawing boards with the
148, 110,125 and 158 standard target bullets.

The 158gr lead with 5.2 grs of BE-86 out of the 6" 686 revolver
turned out 951fps and a POA group that I could live with.

In my 38 snub nose a full load of Bullseye with my new box of 148gr BBwc
hit at POA and was right at one inch, with no flyers, off a bag.
Sorry no chrony with this test.

 

[wrkerr]

Favorite load for .38 Spl................

Cramer mold, 143 gr wadcutter sized .358" pushed by 2.7 gr of Bullseye.

This has been my load of choice for ALL .38's; steel, alloy, j,k,l, and n frame for the past 40 years. (Only recently tried powder coating---jury is still out.)

I haven't found anything that beats it.

 

[Targets Guy]

148 grain wadcutters

 

[oneounceload]

For you guys shooting the new plastic-coated bullets - are you seeing a lot of plastic residue in the barrels? At my indoor range the standard lubed lead swc smokes a LOT, but I'd put up with that over trying to remove melted plastic from my bore......

 

[mikld]

I'm using max. loads of W231 under a cast DEWC. I keep this as my "house gun load". I may try this bullet with some CFE Pistol soon...

I've PCed and fired prolly 1,500 coated bullets in all my handguns and some PCed bullets in a couple of my rifles. I have experience no excessive residue nor any fouling from the powder coat, and clean up is about the same as jacketed...

 

[old&slow]

I'm not sure if it's my favorite load yet. I just started working with it, but it looks promising.

A 145 gr. LSWCHP from GT Bullets with 4.7 grs of Unique.
Over my chrono it's averaging 800 to 820 fps out of a 2 1/8" barrel m60.
It went thru 3 one gallon milk jugs full of water and stopped in the 4th jugs.

Actually was planning on using these in my 642.

 

[red1]

Not S&W but still a snub

[url]http://smith-wessonforum.com/139803114-post67.html[/URL]

 

[nachogrande]

NOT JUST FOR SNUBS.

Am glad I like the 148 gr dewc's cuz I bought 3,000 of them & may do it again unless I find a heavier dewc. 2.7ish grs of bullseye & I can't complain from the 640, 4" mdl 10, 4" mdl 681, or 2 3/4" speed six.

 

[sbrmike]

I see a few Unique loads listed here 4.7 - 5.0 grains with a 158 LSWC. I have always loaded 4.5 grains in my J-Frame 38's. I currently have an old Chiefs Special and a model 60, but used it in older Airweights as well. I never liked shooting the Airweights as I only like wood grips and the recoil felt like I was hitting a telephone pole with a baseball bat! Stung my hand! I may try bumping my Unique loads up a bit as I no longer own Airweights.