Favorite .38 SPL Snubbie loads?

[Drill Sergeant]

How about it. What are your favorite loads for all steel, S&W snubbies?

Thanks!

 

[gwpercle]

A 160 grain cast lead wadcutter, Lyman #358432 or the NOE version 360-160-WC-PB(360432), sized .358.
Target load : 2.8 grains of bullseye...it's a tack driver, 700 fps. 15 shots grouped into 1 1/2 inch one ragged hole with I flyer...my fault.

General purpose: 5.7 grains AA #5...warmer, close to 900 fps and accurate. 10 shots grouped into 1 3/8 inches....one ragged hole !

Gary

 

[rg1]

I prefer 110-125 grain bullets BUT since snubby .38 sights are calibrated for 158 grain bullets, my lighter bullets shoot low.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Since a "All Steel" 38 will normally take more pressure than a standard J frame of old...........

you can up the fps a little to maybe get a load that works for you.
My AS 38 snub does well with the 148 with Bullseye but it also
does great with a lead 158gr RN from 572 to 648fps with several powders.
The 158gr Lswc works from 580 up to 740fps in the mild loads.
Medium hot loads up to 792fps are ok for a hand full of power
and any thing over 800fps is going to need your attention.

I just like the large 158gr since you have a lot of options with this bullet from powder puff
up to "Hang on" loads, which are fun for some of us.

Have fun.

 

[Eddietruett]

For every day fun shooting I use 158gr Plated SWC or Target HP from Xtreme or Berrys over 3gr Bullseye. For serious work I like 125gr Speer GD HP over 7.5gr HS-6. This is a +P load and are very accurate in my K frame snubbies. Have not tried in a J frame but I think it would be a handful.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

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

 

[38SPL HV]

Standard velocity - 158 gr rnl 3.5 grs Bullseye ("Police Service")
+P - 158 gr LSWC or LSWCHP:
5.6 grs Power Pistol
4.5 grs W231
5.0 grs Universal

Loads within Speer Manual parameters.

 

[Benchrest1]

158 LSWC and 3.4 grs. of 231.

 

[Walkingwolf]

138 grain Bayou Bullets wadcutter 5.5 grains longshot 900fps 2 inch barrel.

 

[TomkinsSP]

A hard cast, flat base, 150 grain wadcutter, dropped from a H&G 244 mold. (I don't cast them, I buy them from Matt in Ar-Kansas.) I like them better than the Lymans because of their sharp, rather than beveled corners. 3.2 grains of BE. Roll crimp into the groove thoughtfully provided.

 

[rwsmith]

Heavier lead bullets.....

The heavier cast bullets to me are most consistently accurate in all my guns. I shoot very few jacketed bullets these days but those are 125 to 140 grain.

I like 135 grain, short barrel, Gold Dots for SD. Pushed from warm to max.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Can't suggest a load for a steel snubby,mine is alu framed(mod 37).+P is if not ''verbotten'' at least not recommended.I cast my own swc(150gr old NEI mould that comes out lubed at 154gr),Put it on top of 3.8 Titegroup(chronoed at a little above 900fps out of a couple of 6''tube;guess must be still doing around 800 from the Lilliput tube).Accuracy is good for a shorty.The kick is not objectionnable.It will kill a bear provided the bear is very close,very calm and doesn't weight more than 168#s!
Qc

 

[eb07]

135gr Speer GDHP Short Barrel 6.4 gr Power Pistol 38 +P

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

COMFORTABLE, BUT NOT TOO LIGHT

S&W 66-1, 2 1/2"

SAECO 160gr SWC over 3.3 grs. of Titewad in a 357 case.

Hank M.

 

[lrrifleman]

For my 36-6, I have 2 fun loads that can serve a defensive role.

Load 1 is a 150gr quench cast BNWC over 3.1 WW231, general paper punching.
Load 2 is a 160gr quench cast SWC over 3.3-3.5gr WW231.

For concealed carry, I use Hornady Critical Defense ammo (not +P), since my 36-6 is not recommended for +P loads.

 

[mtgianni]

150-160 gr cast and 3 gr Bullseye.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

150-160 gr cast and 3 gr Bullseye.

Sounds good to me.Ever had it chronoed?Just curious here.
Qc

 

[mtgianni]

Yea and it is written down somewhere. I am in the latter part of my last move preceding the funeral home and we were i a rental for 1 year previous. Take a bit to find it. IIRC it was just over 850 fps 6" K frame.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

All time favorite is 158 LSWC with 5.0 Unique, standard primer. My 1976-vintage Model 19 has probably pushed out close to 100,000 of these and remains as tight and accurate as it was when new. Model 10 3" and Model 64 2" shoot very well with these as well.

 

[rockquarry]

I'v chronographed some loads using a cast Hensley & Gibbs #51 160-grain SWC in a 2" barrel. My notes don't indicate whether these were fired in a Detective Special or a Chief, but I'm pretty sure it was a Chief.

3 Bullseye - 648
3.3 Bullseye - 683
3.5 Bullseye - 730 good accuracy
3.5 Titegroup - 702
4.3 231 - 729 good accuracy

Same loads also chronographed in a 6" K-38. Velocities are approximately 100 - 125 fps greater than in a 2" gun.