Velocity duplicate - Remington 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP

[38SPL HV]

I’ve duplicated in my Ruger 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk a 158 gr SWC velocity duplicate of the time honored Remington 38 Spl +P “FBI Load” using Alliant’s BE-86.

I previously chronographed Remington’s 38 Spl +P 158 gr LHP from my Ruger 4 5/8 inch as follows:

Hi: 951 fps
Lo: 898 fps
Avg 925 fps
ES 53
SD 18

My velocity duplicate using 158 gr cast SWC:

38 Spl +P
158 gr Missouri cast SWC (12 bnh)
Load - 4.9 grs BE-86
CCI 550 primer
OAL 1.460” (crimped in bullet crimp groove)
Hi 953
Lo 918
Avg 931
ES 35
SD 9

Only a 6 fps variance from Remington’s factory round; which is for all practical purposes a velocity duplicate of this “FBI Load” from my Ruger. It also proved very accurate for me rested on a sandbag. I’ve also sighted in my revolver for this load at 50 ft. Rolled some empty cans with excitement out to 20 yds+ as well!

I’m also liking Alliant’s BE-86 more and more for its easy and precise metering, and more importantly for its down range accuracy in both 38 Spl +P and 357 Magnum (mid range) using 158 gr SWC cast bullets. I was a Unique man for decades, but I’m slowly converting to BE-86 as a viable substitute…also it’s consistency over the chronograph is short of amazing (at least for me).

These are my loads for use in my revolver only. Always refer to current published load data, it’s instructions and all applicable information first before reloading. I like to use data from Speer, Lyman and Handloader Magazine.

 

[TexasViking]

Sounds like success to me! ES and SD are definitely better for your handload. I don't know if this has any defense application, but I'll add a link for a test of different powder's flash characteristics. A bit apples to oranges because I believe the tests were done from a 9 x 19mm auto-pistol. BE86 is definitely an improvement in that regard compared to some other Alliant flakes. When it came out I'd heard that like Power Pistol, it's a variant of Bullseye. It certainly improves on the flamethrower type flash of Power Pistol and Blue Dot that I started out with in .41 magnum, and used both in auto cartridges some. Another very good powder, if you need to explore another, is Ramshot True Blue. It works very well for .38 +P and I use it for .357 Mag loads specifically for 2 1/2 - 3" barrels. Unfortunately, it didn't get used in this flash test, but it is very low flash considering that it isn't chemically treated.

NATO RELOADING - YouTube

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have been using Ramshot powders for years . If I could only have 3 powders I would pick Zip , True Blue and Enforcer . I am especially a big fan of all 3 . I like Zip in 45 colt and 38 special , True Blue for mid range magnum loads and Enforcer for " full on " magnum loads . Enforcer in 357 magnum is a great choice . I have on OM Colt Trooper that just loves a 158 gr cast bullet on top of a near max charge of Enforcer . YMMV , regards Paul

 

[38SPL HV]

I’ve been experimenting with True Blue, meters great. I’ve gotten some good velocities with it using Western 8.0 load data in 357 Magnum with 158 gr cast SWC.

 

[TexasViking]

Totally agree about ZIP, True Blue and Enforcer. Sadly, I have to admit that I probably haven't used ZIP enough because I mostly used it for .45 ACP loads. It was probably better in some 9 x 19mm Target Type loads. Just about hit nirvana when I switched from magnum to standard primers for Enforcer in .357 Mag and went on to use it in my Wildcat I call the .36 Kort. But as far as the old hypothetical of if we could only have one powder, that's definitely True Blue for me. No data exists, but I told Rob Behr at Western that I believe that it would even work for reduced rifle loads while it's close enough to some older shotgun powders like HS-5. I've had good luck with a Western load for an RMR 125 gr. Plated Hollowpoint, 7.2 grs. of True Blue (the Max .38 +P) and a CCI500. Western's velocities are definitely optimistic but they also chrono'd from a longer barrel. Ran out of the 158 PHPs, but have chrono data if anyone needs it. 158 gr. SWCs also.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think True Blue is going to give you fine results but maybe a little fast. Let us know how it works out please.

These days there are so many good choices in powders. Power Pistol, AA#5, HS-6, Universal, AutoComp, CFE Pistol, maybe even W572 are probably all viable choices in the .38 Special +P today.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Way to go.

I liked BE-86 in my M49 and 686 6" with some lead and a lot of 115-158 JHP bullets.

Even though the accuracy was there, I decided to use it in my 9mm loads
where it ran all over the famous "Unique" powder for high fps and was hands down
the best powder with my heavy 147 gr bullets.

Thanks for the info and keep on truck'n.

 

[TexasViking]

I think True Blue is going to give you fine results but maybe a little fast. Let us know how it works out please.

These days there are so many good choices in powders. Power Pistol, AA#5, HS-6, Universal, AutoComp, CFE Pistol, maybe even W572 are probably all viable choices in the .38 Special +P today.

Kind of depends on whose burn-rate chart you look at, but True Blue I'd categorize as a slower "Universal" type handgun powder from say Unique down to AA No 5 and maybe HS-6. True Blue is similar to AA No 5 but with better pressure stability. In fact, it really has no equal in terms of pressure stability witnessed by Lyman singling it out for .38 S&W with loads not exceeding 12,800 CUP up to Western loads for .454 Casull at 53,000 PSI. I certainly don't know of any other handgun powder with that capability. Only a few in the group I'm talking about are even capable of being used for 9mm +P, but TB works great for any 9 x 19mm load and I use it for accuracy loads with Silhouette for defense. It's also what I like for .45 ACP defense type loads. Very good when using Western's .38 +P data and where it really shines for me is .357 Magnum loads for 2 1/2 and 3" barrels. Very low flash and less velocity loss. I use slower powders for longer barrel magnum loads, but the velocity loss is somewhat comparitive to barrel shortening and actual burn rate for the caliber. While it isn't quite comparable to TiteGroup or AA No 2 in terms of not being powder position sensitive, it's likely the best of the "Universal" group as far as spherical types, and it comes about as close to any as being a true "ball" powder. And when it comes to metering, TB is very dense to go along with those tiny balls with a Bulk Density of 950 grams/Liter or .950 grams/cc. Funny that it was originally created for FN Herstal abd their 5.7 x 28mm loads.

 

[TexasViking]

I’ve been experimenting with True Blue, meters great. I’ve gotten some good velocities with it using Western 8.0 load data in 357 Magnum with 158 gr cast SWC.

Ditto for me in regard to 158 gr. SWCs in .357 Mag and .38 +P. You know that how tiny those little balls of powder are, and it has a bulk density of 950 grams/liter or .950 grams/cc. Kinda hard to improve on that when it comes to metering. I haven't used any flake powders for several years. But from what I've seen, and if I needed to, it would likely be BE86.

 

[BillBro]

True Blue also worked very, very well in my 3" 44spl 696 with 200gr XTP's. VV N340 is what I settled on though but the TB was a great load too.
TB is also a favorite of mine, Ive used it in 9mm alot too. Good to hear that others are haveing good luck in other calibers, calibers I also reload. I just so happen to have just received 100 158gr LSWCHP's from Matts Bullets and wad getting ready to start loading some more 38Spl +P rounds, perhaps TB could be the powder.