FBI Chicago 38 Special +P 158 LSWCHP loads
- Thread starter Service Rifleman1
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Groo01
Member
Groo here
Many people are worried about SD in the rifle world.
In the handgun world , at SD ranges , SD means little.
Let the target tell you what works, not the crono.
As long as the impact speed is close to 800/1000 fps [with SOFT bullets]
they will deform.
If you need to weight a charge instead of bulk dropping it[dipper etc]
Your too close to the edge,or using the wrong powder...
" quote ,J.D. Jones of SSK"
It has nothing to do with sd in my little world. But it has everything to do with how a hp performs. If you think a load that is 800fps to 1000fps is acceptable for consistent hp bullet performance, you might want to re-think the 800 to 1000 thing.
For accuracy...
Bulleye and Titegroup are known to be great for 'mild target loads' but both of them can be loaded to higher velocity than most people think. Being faster target powders they could be more accurate than Unique. Wouldn't hurt to try. Just be careful with heavy loads with them because a little too much can go a long way to raising pressure. I'd weigh all the charges.
Lyman sez that 3.3 grains of Titegroup gets slightly better velocity than Unique with 158 gr lead bullets.
Bulleye and Titegroup are known to be great for 'mild target loads' but both of them can be loaded to higher velocity than most people think. Being faster target powders they could be more accurate than Unique. Wouldn't hurt to try. Just be careful with heavy loads with them because a little too much can go a long way to raising pressure. I'd weigh all the charges.
Lyman sez that 3.3 grains of Titegroup gets slightly better velocity than Unique with 158 gr lead bullets.
Last edited:
SquarePizza
Member
Rifleman, I tried to return your PM, but your inbox was full. So here is my reply:
I have found that 4227 doesn't really like small/slow charges very much. I've noticed if the pressure goes too low with 4227 you can get a lot of unburnt powder. So I put my "FBI load" in a 38 special case to reduce volume, and I used a magnum primer. I get a few unburnt kernels of powder, but not that many. I've been very happy with the powder.
I have found that 4227 doesn't really like small/slow charges very much. I've noticed if the pressure goes too low with 4227 you can get a lot of unburnt powder. So I put my "FBI load" in a 38 special case to reduce volume, and I used a magnum primer. I get a few unburnt kernels of powder, but not that many. I've been very happy with the powder.
I don't get this part....
This part I don't quite agree with. While I think it better to use a powder that doesn't require max loads to get desired velocity, I have no problem with weighing charges around or at max. I can measure well within a tenth of a grain with my scale. And I KNOW what the charge is. I'm also happy to use a scoop when at about 3/4 load or less. Or my powder measure.
This part I don't quite agree with. While I think it better to use a powder that doesn't require max loads to get desired velocity, I have no problem with weighing charges around or at max. I can measure well within a tenth of a grain with my scale. And I KNOW what the charge is. I'm also happy to use a scoop when at about 3/4 load or less. Or my powder measure.
OP
Service Rifleman1
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Hello there. Finally cleaned out the mailboxes. Thank you for the replies. I just use my RCBS powder dribbler and with the small charges weighing the loads is a snappy process that goes smoothly. Loaded up a few loads with a few powders tonight to see how the rounds shoot and how the points of impact will change with the fixed sights. I found some Winchester JHP's 110gr and the 145 Silvertip HP's and Hornady XTP 125's and 158's. I will try a few loads out and see how they compare to the Magtech 158 SWC's and the Hornady LSWCHP 158's that I have been shooting. Regards.
hard nose street cop
Member
Since were on the subject of the FBI Load and reloading it, I figure I would add my .2
The Remington 38 Special +P 158 Gr LHP load # R38S12 which by the is what I CCW in my S&W Model (64-4) (2 inch). Contains 5.5 grains of a medium Gray powder, the OAL is 1.468. The bullets are .699 in length.
The Remington 38 Special +P 158 Gr LHP load # R38S12 which by the is what I CCW in my S&W Model (64-4) (2 inch). Contains 5.5 grains of a medium Gray powder, the OAL is 1.468. The bullets are .699 in length.
OP
Service Rifleman1
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Hello there. I have been doing some load developments and having some success and some suprises. Shooting my supplies of Hornady 158 LSCWHP bullets along with the jacketed varieties. The various Winchester JHP 110's and Hornady XTP 125's shoot really well and have different feel and recoil that the 158 grain lead slugs. I like the heavy loads but I have had a couple heavy recoiling rounds with hard to extract cases and one case failure so I have cleaned my brass and found a couple rings of telltale pending case failures waiting to happen so I culled those from the loading bench. Have found a few jems in the loading logs and a few bordering on Magnum pressures. Gonna stick to regular to +P loads and leave the ++P+ to the better left alone category. Thank you for the replies. Safe shooting. Cheers.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The powder you describe is only valid for that lot # of ammo. The powder in the next lot might look totally different and of a different weight. I have not disassembled any if this ammo but I have looked at Speer Short Barrel .38 Special +P ammo. All three lots where I pulled bullets had different powders and weights. One even used a ball powder while the other 2 used flake powders. All powders weights were different for each lot but the same within the lot.
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Service Rifleman1
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I am amazed at the versatility of the 38 Special and how you can have light charges of fast powders like Bullseye and hit targets with or you can pummel your hand with heavy loads that the recoil and report is much different in feel and blast. Have experimented with a few different grips as well to feel out the revolver and change up the looks and ways that it handles and shoots. Anyone know if there were 5" or longer barrels made for the 64-5 Smith? It has the heavy 4" it was made with currently screwed in. Thank you.
