My standard .38 special load for my J frame.

bogman

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I just loaded , a box of my favorite .38 special J frame loads.
I used 4.5gr. of Unique, with a 158gr. cast SWC. my little 3" model 36-1, loves this load. it is not plus p, so its easy on the gun & very accurate & little to no leading. In my model 10-8, I bump the powder up to 5.5gr. & it is plus p, & very accurate.
 
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I'm not a fan of Unique but I'm sure it's a good load like you said. I make my .38 Special +P loads with HS-6 and standard pressure loads with W231.

What kind of velocity does that 4.5gr load generate from a 3" barrel?
 
I havn't had a chance to use my chrony on the J frame load on them yet, but my model 10 load averages 1035 fps.
 
I havn't had a chance to use my chrony on the J frame load on them yet, but my model 10 load averages 1035 fps.

5.4 grains of Unique with that bullet in my 2" J frames runs around 890 fps. Oddly enough it does the same in the Model 15 (4") but runs right at 1000 in the 4" M&P, which is what you would normally expect.

For whatever reason(s), this M15 is a "slow" gun. I have a 4" 686 that is the same way.
 
B/C gap will effect velocity. also using cast bullets vs jacketed, or how hard the cast bullets are.
 
I have a M625JM, 4" 45ACP that consistently delivers the same velocity as a 5" 1911 with the exact same loads.

I'm not so sure that the barrel gap is a big deal to be honest. It sure doesn't prove out in those guns.

As for 38spl and 3" J frames, I have some loads that deliver 1100fps from that length tube, and yes, they are in 38spl cases! :)
 
I have a M625JM, 4" 45ACP that consistently delivers the same velocity as a 5" 1911 with the exact same loads.

I'm not so sure that the barrel gap is a big deal to be honest. It sure doesn't prove out in those guns.

As for 38spl and 3" J frames, I have some loads that deliver 1100fps from that length tube, and yes, they are in 38spl cases! :)

I've often wondered what part wear on tooling used in the rifling process plays. Ditto for cylinder chamber reamers.
 
I havn't had a chance to use my chrony on the J frame load on them yet, but my model 10 load averages 1035 fps.
My FBI Replica load does an AV of 957 fps from a 4" M686 and an AV of 889 fps from my 2" M640.
 
I use the 4.5 grain Unique load with the 158gr LSWC and a CCI primer all my 38s love it. That includes 3 Js, an Official Police and a couple of Smith 357s. And a SP 357.

That load shoots well and to point of aim in my fixed sight guns.
 

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