Looking for 38 Special SD loading recommendations to be used in a 2" Snubby. Just looking for a starting point. I'll be developing my load, chronographing along the way . Thanks
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Snubby SD load recommendations
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I would not recommend using hand loaded ammo for self defense - too many legal matters will arise should you need to use it.
Should you choose to do so anyway, the Buffalo Bore 158 grain SWCHP-GC +P and the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P GDHP are the bast two rounds to model your loads after. You can easily research the data for both and duplicate as close as possible - including using the exact same bullets.
NOTE: using hand loads will just be one more charge against you in court should you ever shoot someone!
Should you choose to do so anyway, the Buffalo Bore 158 grain SWCHP-GC +P and the Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P GDHP are the bast two rounds to model your loads after. You can easily research the data for both and duplicate as close as possible - including using the exact same bullets.
NOTE: using hand loads will just be one more charge against you in court should you ever shoot someone!
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I use 135gr speer gold dots
The factory loads are tested/advertised by Speer as:
990 fps in 357
860fps in 38+P
To approximate the Speer 357 Magnum Gold Dot Short Barrel service load in a snub-nose revolver. Load the 135 grain bullet (Speer Part No. 4014) with 8.8 grs of Power Pistol, 8.4 grs of VihtaVuroi 3N37, or 7.6 grs of Unique. These loads should give you around 1000 fps from a 2" 357 Magnum revolver.
38 special +P info:
6.8gr AA#5 seems to replicate the factory ammo in both felt recoil and velocity.
6.4 of Power Pistol is a close runner up.
The biggest issue mas stated for using hand loads for sd is if they have to replicate the loads for forensics which is rare, but just keep good paper records just in case.
Otherwise I would t worry about it.
The factory loads are tested/advertised by Speer as:
990 fps in 357
860fps in 38+P
To approximate the Speer 357 Magnum Gold Dot Short Barrel service load in a snub-nose revolver. Load the 135 grain bullet (Speer Part No. 4014) with 8.8 grs of Power Pistol, 8.4 grs of VihtaVuroi 3N37, or 7.6 grs of Unique. These loads should give you around 1000 fps from a 2" 357 Magnum revolver.
38 special +P info:
6.8gr AA#5 seems to replicate the factory ammo in both felt recoil and velocity.
6.4 of Power Pistol is a close runner up.
The biggest issue mas stated for using hand loads for sd is if they have to replicate the loads for forensics which is rare, but just keep good paper records just in case.
Otherwise I would t worry about it.
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Old Corp
Member
If you do choreograph your testing and performance checks, please carefully select the musical score and video it for the forum.
DWalt
Member
Can anyone cite an instance in which use of handloads in a valid SD shooting situation has resulted in adverse legal consequences for the shooter? I have never heard of one.
STORMINORMAN
Member
Since the OP's original question was re: "38 Special"...
You might wish to SEARCH some of the following terms: Federal PD Micro 38 Special +P 130gr HST on this Reloading Forum...? I recall considerable input and discussion of other short barrel SD reloading alternatives as well.
Cheers!
You might wish to SEARCH some of the following terms: Federal PD Micro 38 Special +P 130gr HST on this Reloading Forum...? I recall considerable input and discussion of other short barrel SD reloading alternatives as well.
Cheers!
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For lead, the old 158 gr bullet is a keeper.
I prefer the heaviest, fastes JHP around and that is the 135 Gold Dot.
There are others that get good ratings but it is nice if your final load
shoots to POA, if possible.
My light recoil SD load .......
the Federal 130 gr HST "Micro" shoots 1" to the right , with my grip & stance.
Good shootig.
I prefer the heaviest, fastes JHP around and that is the 135 Gold Dot.
There are others that get good ratings but it is nice if your final load
shoots to POA, if possible.
My light recoil SD load .......
the Federal 130 gr HST "Micro" shoots 1" to the right , with my grip & stance.
Good shootig.
OP
If you do choreograph your testing and performance checks, please carefully select the musical score and video it for the forum.
Hahaha…… fixed it. That's what I get for not proof reading my own post. I hate autocorrect………
Please, let's not get into "key board lawer" opinions. This "Handloads for SD" topic has been discussed, ad nauseam, at least since I started visiting reloading forums in 2006. Never a reliable example, never an actual case cited. Never a consensis...
Back to topic; I normally "carry" two SD loads in my 2" 38, One is a cast DEWC over a max load of W231. My other is a 124 gr. JHP.
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124 gr ... ?
Wow, just wow.
I can only get my win/rem 125 SJHP with a full load of Unique
up to 902 fps in my M49 J frame revolver.
A max load of 800-X got me 952fps but I think that load needs a K frame
so that the weapon does not loosen up.
Reloading Data Center | Hodgdon
Hogdon says a 125 gr and Universal hit 1000+ fps with a psi of 16,800 cup.
Hogdon says a 125 gr and Universal hit 1000+ fps with a psi of 16,800 cup.
STORMINORMAN
Member
Where they get these 7.7" barrels for their 38 Special (& +P) data is beyond me...?
For 357 Magnum it's from your USUAL 10" barrel... Don't recall seeing many of those!
Why?
Cheers!
Transamconvert
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I too am a 135 gold dot user, however I Have been pondering lately if the 148 wadcutter wouldn't be a better choice in. 38 from an airweight. This is an idea that seems to be gaining a resurgence. Thoughts?
smoothshooter
Member
As long as you are not using FMJ, or round- nosed lead, anything will work. Even those loads work better than you might think.
Just pick something, practice, and carry your gun all the time, preferably where it's legal.
Nobody wants to get shot with anything.
Too many people get so bogged down in the minutiae that they lose sight of the basics.
Just pick something, practice, and carry your gun all the time, preferably where it's legal.
Nobody wants to get shot with anything.
Too many people get so bogged down in the minutiae that they lose sight of the basics.
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They enjoy getting bogged down in the minutiae. It appears to be a hobby in itself.
riverrat38
US Veteran
I would use 148gr target wad cutters if I could practice with them. But, they are not permitted at the local indoor ranges where I can shoot.
No lead. So I use the Federal 130gr HST micro. They seem to open up nicely from a 2" snub. And if they don't, they have a nice wad cutter profile. Not real fast to reload in the cylinder, so my reloads are semi wad cutters. Buffalo Bore 158gr Outdoorsman. Hot!
73,
Rick
No lead. So I use the Federal 130gr HST micro. They seem to open up nicely from a 2" snub. And if they don't, they have a nice wad cutter profile. Not real fast to reload in the cylinder, so my reloads are semi wad cutters. Buffalo Bore 158gr Outdoorsman. Hot!
73,
Rick
jerry52
Member
Gold dot micro hst look them up very impressive out of a snubby
Not only is it tested in a 7.7" barrel but it is likely a "testing barrel" - more like a semi-auto barrel - not a 2" revolver with a BC gap leaking pressure.
I think if you chrono that load you'll find it is closer to 800-900fps than 1000fps out of a snubby revolver.
I think the old "rule of thumb" is deduct around 50fps for every inch of barrel? Using that rule, since the revolver barrel is over 5-1/2" shorter than the test barrel, you'd end up with an estimated velocity of around 725fps
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