My Short Barrell Load

[Dftplan]

Based on a heads up by a forum member, I acquired a box of 135 grain Speer Gold Dot Short Barell from Midway. I tested three powders I had on hand. Below are my results.

S&W .38 spl 442-1, 135 gr Speer GD SB, new Starline brass, Federal SP primers.

Unique 5.5 grains. Avg. 900 fps. Max spread 51.
Unique 5.8 grains. Avg. 922 fps. Max spread 27.

HS-6 7.1 grains. Avg. 836 fps. Max spread 47.
HS-6 7.4 grains. Avg. 866 fps. Max spread 43.

Universal 5.3 grains. Avg. 864 fps. Max spread 37.
Universal 5.6 grains. Avg. 885 fps. Max spread 58.

A Speer site showed good expansion at 860 fps. So, I wanted each shot in the string to equal or exceed that speed. Unique 5.5 grains met that criteria and seemed to be the lightest recoil. So, that will be my every day carry load. Unique 5.8 grains was the only other load that exceeded 860 fps for every shot. I didn't take time to test for accuracy cuz they were setting up the range for a cowboy action shoot and I had to hurry. However, they all appeared to have good accuracy at the short distance I was shooting - about 15 feet.

 

[fortyshooter]

I assume these are .38 Special loads? Sounds good!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I did some extensive development work on that load a few years back. I won't go into all of it but I will give you a hint. Give 6.8gr of AA#5 a try and tell me what you think about that load. According to the data released by Speer for those bullets that is not the top load but I think it's the best replica. I think you will find it's almost exactly the same as the factory ammo.

If you try to replicate the Speer short barrel .357 Magnum ammo give me a shout before you start.

 

[Dftplan]

Never tried AA-5 but hear a lot of good about it. I'll see if I can find a pound.

 

[DWalt]

AA5 is also a superior propellant for top-end 130 grain .38 Super loads.

 

[cjwils]

What barrel length are you testing?

 

[Dftplan]

1.875 inches. I think this is the barrel length for all 442s and 642s.

 

[fortyshooter]

Very interesting! With a 125 gr. plated bullet I was getting 874-893 FPS using 5.8 gr. of Unique out of my Ruger LCR 1.875 barrel.
The air must be a bit thicker here...well it was humid!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Air pressure was probably different, different cylinder gap, different powder lot. Maybe even more.

 

[rwsmith]

I'm developing a similar load.....

I'm working on a similar load for my model 36. The first rounds I shot through it (general range loads) were really disappointing velocity wise. Maybe I have a loose bore or something. I got stopped before I could get out to the range with a chrono and some serious loads, but I'll be back to it soon and I'll let everybody know what I end up with.

PS It's between a stiff load of Unique and I'm trying Power Pistol.

 

[Forrest r]

Air pressure was probably different, different cylinder gap, different powder lot. Maybe even more.

Bullet material is the #1 reason. It's been proven that if you take the same firearm, same load, bullet, cases, etc. The:

Plated bullets are slowest
Jacketed bullets
The majority of the time traditional lead/lubed bullets are next
The fastest tend to be the coated bullets.

Anyone that's looking for performance from a snub nose/short bbl should be looking at cast or coated bullets. More velocity from the same bullet weight/load.

 

[cowboy4evr]

Dftplan , Let me give you a suggestion . I have a 442 , I shot quite a few loads like yours . I trained with it so if needed , I was familiar with it . Well ,in a short time it had to make a trip back to the factory . The lockup got real loose , a whole lot of side play , quickly . I have since " calmed " my loads down . I had purchased it through Davidson's , so there was no charge . They even pd shipping .

 

[Dftplan]

Thanks for the suggestion. I probably don't shoot mine as much as you do. And, that's one reason I went with the lightest load that would achieve 860 fps consistently. When I practice, I use light loads with Clays. I will keep an eye on it. Bought it at Cabelas a few years ago using credit card points. Any problems, I'm sure S&W will take care of it.

 

[Dftplan]

Very interesting! With a 125 gr. plated bullet I was getting 874-893 FPS using 5.8 gr. of Unique out of my Ruger LCR 1.875 barrel.
The air must be a bit thicker here...well it was humid!

Lots of variables, as ArchAngel said. Crimp also is a factor.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Thanks for the suggestion. I probably don't shoot mine as much as you do. And, that's one reason I went with the lightest load that would achieve 860 fps consistently. When I practice, I use light loads with Clays. I will keep an eye on it. Bought it at Cabelas a few years ago using credit card points. Any problems, I'm sure S&W will take care of it.

The AA#5 load delivers an AV of 889 fps from a 2" J frame and is very accurate in my revolvers. (3X J frames) In addition, the recoil feels the same. Not just the amount of recoil but the way the recoil feels is extremely similar too. This is true with both the 135gr Speer bullets and 140gr Hornady XTP bullets I used for load development because of price and availability.

 

[rasmith3442]

Try Sierra's Manual

Take a look at Sierra's data for the 140 grain bullets in .38 Spl. using Universal. I use the middle load and get 950 ish out of a 649 with no pressure signs.

YMMV.

S/F,

RAS