Reasonable full power load for: 2" bbl + titanium + 158gr JHP

[GregG]

I it was me, I'd find a 158 grain cast bullet with the widest meplat, and use the 8.0 grs. of SR-4756 load from Speer #8, starting up from a lower charge of course. Montana Bullet Works offers 160 grain cast LBT that has a .285" meplat.

You'll have the penetration, and the wounding will be pretty substantial too.

 

[Skip Sackett]

Only one definition for "THE LOAD"!

Also, when everyone is referring to "THE LOAD", are you guys loading it with LSWC?

There is only one way to load "THE LOAD" dear friend, only one way. I know that isn't "PC" but it is true nonetheless!

Here is how it goes: "158gr LSWC over the starting grains of SR4756 from the Speer #8 manual in 38spl brass."

I have shot it out of my M60 -13 (all stainless J frame) and it is my PD round of choice for it. The -13 has a 3" barrel with adjustable sights. That would mean that there was just a tad more weight to it over the standard 1 7/8" model with frame sights. It is a handful but not uncomfortable to shoot out of that little gun. Mine has had about 50 rounds of that ammo through it and will probably not see any more unless someone breaks into my house!

Don't stress over the weight of the powder and the recoil calculation, with the slower powders, I have noticed they have more of a push than a sharp snap thereby reducing "PERCEIVED" recoil.

FWIW

 

[Paul5388]

The possum I shot with THE LOAD didn't expire immediately, so don't expect a "wonder round", regardless of how big the meplat is. A little more body mass may have altered the results, but that still remains an unanswered question for me. My preference at this point is a wadcutter in .44 Special brass for use in a M629.

None of them, including a 270 gr LSWC in .45 ACP, have exhibited the massive damage a 125 gr Sierra JHC bullet will produce. The JHC will shoot all the way through the meaty portion of Texas sized deer and still give some of the "shocking" power associated with rifle rounds, if you give it a decent amount of velocity. That doesn't mean factory velocities and it can even be done in .38 Special brass.

A 125 gr Golden Saber loaded with 10.0 gr of SR4756 will produce around 1275 fps MV out of a 4" M66 with 594 ft lbs of ME. That's within 40 fps of what Speer #8 says it will do, which makes the .38 Special much more potent in a small gun.

It's hard to argue with the success the 125 gr has had over the years in police work, so it may be the best choice in a short barreled gun using a decent powder for the application.