Needs a +p .38 load

[lazy]

I am looking for suggestions on a powder for a +p load for my 4inch 686.

Brass is a once fired Federal .38 case, primers are Federal SP.

The bullets are 158 grn .358 RNFP

I have already made some up with .5 grn of tight group and its great.

Can i safely make this load hotter? Would I need to get a different powder?

I will be using this load for the field while hunting and hiking. I would be making about a 1000 rounds.

Thanks everyone for all your help.

 

[Tell Sackett]

If you have a 357Mag why aren't you loading down something in those cases?

There are TONS of +p loads available for the 38spl but I just can't figure out why you need one for hunting/hiking when you have the ability to load at higher levels and still be safe.

Help me understand, please.

 

[lazy]

Using dads set up, and he told me to shove it on adjusting the Dillon dies.

The rest is personal.

 

[Tell Sackett]

Can I ask how old you are? What about asking your dad to teach you how to setup the dies for 357? There used to be some spacers, .110", that you could buy that would make adjustment easy.

If you will get into trouble, don't ask, I'm just thinking out loud.

38spl +P loads can be found in almost any reloading manual as well as some of the powder manufacturer's websites.

Alliant Powders
Accurate Powder
Hodgdon Powder (IMR, Winchester)

What other powders do you have available in the setup you are using?

 

[Treeman]

6.0 of Power Pistol is about the highest performance recommended +P load for 158 grain bullets. As for your tite group load.....?.5grains?

 

[handgunner356]

First off are you using lead, plated or jacketed bullets. The Max load for a 158gr jacketed is 4.3grs of Titegroup. Lead or plated is 3.8grs. All run out around 920fps, Which is pretty good for 158s' in 38 brass. If you want more you need to use magnum brass, just for it's strength. Too hot .38s' will split, be hard to extract, back out primers and all sorts of bad things you don't want or need.

 

[bogman]

5.5grs. of Unique with a 158gr. cast SWC is what I use in my model 10HB. it is very accurate, & has a good punch for a .38

 

[nitesite]

5.5grs. of Unique with a 158gr. cast SWC is what I use in my model 10HB. it is very accurate, & has a good punch for a .38

Amen.

The current Alliant date goes up to 5.2 of Unique but in a x86 L-frame the "old" Unique load of 5.5-gr is a pretty good thumper with 158-gr cast bullets. And it's accurate in several of my guns.

How many grains of Titegroup are you using again?

 

[lazy]

Thanks guys, this info is helping out.
Dad is a SASS shooter and has his dies set wear he wants them so they will work in all his guns correctly. My bullets are just plain lead with lead plating. I have had no problems with the 5gr loads, and I have found that powder charge is more accurate than the 2.8gn charge. Now if I am remembering right, the book said a .5gn charge was max with T.G. at about 900fps. I was just looking to see if anyone could recommend a better load for the job.
It is just a little hard right now to find some good hard hitting 38/357 that are off the shelf. Now take into consideration that I am an injured vet with no current job and going to school with a family. So nearly all my money goes to take care of them. This load is based a lot on what I have collected up over the last year. I will be writing these loads down and take them into consideration. Thank you all once again.

 

[Tell Sackett]

Lazy,
First off, you need to re-register with a different name, Hero would be a good one for someone that matches your description!

Next, let me say, THANKS! Thanks for your service, your sacrifice and your desire to take care of your family. In today's age those are rare characteristics one at a time, let alone all three in one individual!

FORUM, AAAATTTENNNTTTION, PRESENT ARMS --------------------READY, TWO. (Those are the orders we used to give to get a group of people to salute in the service I was in!)

What other calibers will you be loading for?

For +P 38spl loads from my 586 or 686 I generally use SR4756 powder from IMR/Hodgdon. The load is an old one and many folks feel uncomfortable using it in 38spl revolvers. I have no qualms at all using it in my "L" frame revolvers as they are built to take it.

 

[lazy]

Sorry guys for not responding, I have been A little busy writing some 20 pages for English class. It is now fun with fractions and then on to decimals.

I think that what I am trying to get at is what is the best way to drive a 158gn bullet from a .38 case inside of a .357 safely?
IIRC the load data sheet said I could 900 fps with .5gn tight group. is that good enough?

What it is that I want to do is make a bullet that will work in just about any application.

Thanks every one for your help.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use HS-6 for my .38 Special +P loads especially with lead bullets. I've used AA#5 and it also works well but I do favor HS-6. With jacketed bullets you can also use Longshot.

 

[Treeman]

lazy, You have to get busy on the fun with fractions and decimals. You are killing us with improper notation or else are posting an unworkable load. .5 gn of titegroup means half of a grain. That charge will produce about 175 fps out of a snubby and will likely stick a bullet in the bore of a 4 inch barreled gun. If you mean five grains then it must be written 5.0 or merely 5 IMO 38 specials in a 357 are easy since you have no real pressure concerns with published data (if the data is any good and written with decimal in right place) I personally do not load HOT 38 specials/357 magnum performance in 38 cases because I don't want them to get into a gun unsuited for those pressures. As several people have noted Power Pistol, HS6, AA5, and even Unique can get you 900fps from a 4 inch barrel with lead 158grain bullets at safe 38+P pressure levels. Undoubtably there are some other powders. I don't know about Titegroup-I have no experience with it.