Looking for a 38 spl load to make power factor

[Tanners Owner]

Preferably with 158 gr plated bullets and CFE, 700x, 800x, Universal clays for powders. (Powders I have OH)

Games are USPSA or icore, so min needs to be 125 power factor IIRC.

Guns used will be M15, M581, M627 all in 4”

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

 

[DukeSoprano]

1st Suggestion is buy some short colt brass and call me in the morning

 

[Alk8944]

Second suggestion is buy a chronograph! Without you are just guessing at your loads performance!

 

[DWalt]

.38 SC cases are popular among ICORE shooters. Basically .38 Special cases but considerably shorter.

 

[rockquarry]

Preferably with 158 gr plated bullets and CFE, 700x, 800x, Universal clays for powders. (Powders I have OH)

Games are USPSA or icore, so min needs to be 125 power factor IIRC.

Guns used will be M15, M581, M627 all in 4”

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance

Consider a load data manual like a Lyman. What works well in someone else's gun may shoot poorly in yours even if it meets power factor. Time spent on load development is always time well spent.

 

[rwsmith]

I can't get to it right now....

....but I'll check my 1970 Sierra Manual. Their bread and butter was hunting loads. I tinkered with their 125 grain Jacketed load, which is a full grain higher than any present data. I went up .2 grains at a time and the loads got so raucous I never got to the max load.

By my pree-cise calculation, a 158 gr. bullet has to have a velocity of 800 fps to get a power factor of 126.

Speer #9 says 5.3 gr Unique gets 918 fps out of a 6" barrel for a 158 gr. jacketed bullet.

Sierra says 6.4 gr (!!!) Unique is max. (again 6" barrel)

Hodgdon says 5.4 gr of CFE out of a 7.7" barrel gets 986 fps.

Hodgdon say 4.0 gr of 700-x out of a 7.7" barrel gets 866 fps.

You can probably get your power factor out of a 4" barrel easily with the CFE.

Do you have a Chronograph?

 

[Chuck Edwards]

If you don’t have a chronograph, you really need to get one.

I shot IDPA when the SSR power factor was 125. My load was 4.3 grains of Titegroup under a 158-grain Rainier plated RN. It ran ~835 fps from my 10-8 and 67-1 IIRC. This is a +P load. My current load is 5.1 grains of BE-86 under the same bullet…I bought a bunch of them years ago. Velocity is about the same. I no longer shoot IDPA but use it as a practice load for my carry ammo, Remington 158-grain LSWCHP.

Of the powders you listed, I’d go with CFE-Pistol. It’s the right burn rate. I’ve used it in other calibers and like it. Note that you’ll have to go into the +P data range to make power factor. 700-X is way too fast. 800-X might work but meters terribly.

Short Colt cases are about the same size as 9x19 cases. To make power factor, you’ll be running 9x19 pressure. I’d reserve them for your .357s.

 

[Ignatz]

I also started with a Model 15 and 581. Everyone is giving great advice.

 

[Forrest r]

Myself I'd start with 700x.

I've always did better with fast burning powders and near max/max loads with them.

The higher pressures of the loads will burn consistently & cleaner with less position sensitivity, better accuracy.

800x doesn't meter well
I'v shot a lot of 38spl/158gr rn lead/4.6gr in the 38spl cases. It took a p+ load of universal to burn cleanly and give consistent results.
Don't know much about cfe powder other than the cfe starting loads (low pressure) equal or exceed 70x's max loads.

More often than not, slow burning powders don't do well at the starting load levels.

FWIW:
You might consider looking into coated bullets. They tend to achieve high velocities with the same powder/loads compared to their plated & jacketed counterparts.

 

[Tanners Owner]

Team, thanks for feedback.

In answer to your Q- yes I do own a chrono; am seeking loads to focus my efforts.

Thanks again

 

[71vette]

Here’s what I do with 158’s and Win244:

158gr X-treme/Summit SWC
4gr Win244, 1.46” COAL, Remington SP

17.4” Henry Summit: 1050fps
4” 19-3 Summit: 822fps
3.25” 66-5 X-Treme: 760fps
3.25” 66-5 Summit: 815fps
2.5” 66-7 X-Treme: 715fps
2.5” 66-7 Summit: 770fps
2” Magnum Carry X-Treme: 649fps


I don’t shoot competition, just a “full power” 38 Special range load. 4 grains is max non +p for Win 244. Summit City are coated, Xtreme are plated.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

Team, thanks for feedback.

In answer to your Q- yes I do own a chrono; am seeking loads to focus my efforts.

Thanks again

If you do go with CFE-P, looking at Hodgdon’s data, I’d start with 5.0 grains and adjust as needed. Also, using plated bullets which lack a crimp groove, common practice is to seat them deeply enough that you can put a mild roll crimp at the start of the ogive. This may give you a shorter overall length than listed so you may need to reduce the powder charge a bit, but staying just over 800 fps should keep you within limits.

Also, as noted above, coated bullets will give the same velocity with less powder and are almost as clean as plated. Plus they’re cheaper.

 

[rwsmith]

I second....

I second the coated bullet idea. They've been my go tos for a long time. I suppose it's whatever you get the best accuracy with.

 

[sw dan]

hi folks, i shot some idpa, 158 gn lead bullets using win 231, i believe at 3.2/3.3 made the 125 power factor in a 4" revolver.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I only tried one pound of CFE pistol but it worked well in my 9mm and 38 test loads.

In my 686 6" S&W with a 158 lead bullet and std primer.

5.5 grs of CFE on 7/24/14 gave me 939fps at POA.

Good luck.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

hi folks, i shot some idpa, 158 gn lead bullets using win 231, i believe at 3.2/3.3 made the 125 power factor in a 4" revolver.

Too make PF with 158 LSWC and W231 I thought it was 4.0 grains?

 

[growr]

Although near extinct, I used 5 gr. of Unique with the a 158 SWC to make 125 PF. Some called it the FBI load.....

Randy

 

[sniper]

Although near extinct, I used 5 gr. of Unique with the a 158 SWC to make 125 PF. Some called it the FBI load.....Randy

I shot 5.5 gr. Unique under 150-158 gr lead SWC in IPSC for years. 860 fps/ from a 4" barrels...S&W Model 19, Dan Wesson, S&W 586, Ruger GP 100. A good general use load.

 

[rwsmith]

Hey Tanners Owner.....

...have you had a chance to try out your loads? We would like to hear about your results.