Crazy K38
Member
I am getting into handloading finally and I know some .38 loads are great for 4" bbl guns but epically fail in snubbies so what are your tried and true S/D or plinking loads for your little buddy?
what are your favorite loads for your .38 snubbie?
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Erich
Member
Two of them I won't mention publicly b/c they're over present-day "maximums."
Only experienced reloaders should ever approach a reloading bench without supervision. What's safe in my guns is not necessarily safe in yours. Start low and work up to any load. *Check this data against published data by the powder manufacturer. I don't warrant anything - who knows what typos may have snuck in here.*
That said, here are two loadings that I shoot a lot in my .38 Special snubs . . . I find them both to be decently accurate and reasonably puissant.
5.1 grains of Unique under a 148-gr hardcast TVB DEWC with a CCI small pistol primer and a firm roll crimp is good for over 900 fps out of a 1 7/8" barrel and is acceptable under the last .38 Special published data that I looked at (Heaven knows that SAAMI may be limiting us even further now, in case someone has managed to re-chamber a zinc-cast cap gun in the formerly Mighty .38 Special
).
6.0 grains of Power Pistol under a 158-gr hardcast TVB LSWC with a CCI small pistol primer and a firm roll crimp is good for over 850 fps from a 1 7/8" barrel and is acceptable under the last .38 Special +P data that I looked at (see caveat supra). This slightly exceeds the velocities produced by factory "FBI Loads" - I use it a lot for practice b/c Power Pistol meters so darn well. I have a Unique load (formerly acceptable under the manufacturer's guidelines but no more ) that duplicates the "FBI Load" that I prefer to use for carry instead of this Power Pistol load because I find PP to be "flashy" in low light.
Read and consider Mas' advice before using handloads for self-defense. You probably know what I do, but that doesn't mean it's right for you.
Only experienced reloaders should ever approach a reloading bench without supervision. What's safe in my guns is not necessarily safe in yours. Start low and work up to any load. *Check this data against published data by the powder manufacturer. I don't warrant anything - who knows what typos may have snuck in here.*
That said, here are two loadings that I shoot a lot in my .38 Special snubs . . . I find them both to be decently accurate and reasonably puissant.
5.1 grains of Unique under a 148-gr hardcast TVB DEWC with a CCI small pistol primer and a firm roll crimp is good for over 900 fps out of a 1 7/8" barrel and is acceptable under the last .38 Special published data that I looked at (Heaven knows that SAAMI may be limiting us even further now, in case someone has managed to re-chamber a zinc-cast cap gun in the formerly Mighty .38 Special
). 6.0 grains of Power Pistol under a 158-gr hardcast TVB LSWC with a CCI small pistol primer and a firm roll crimp is good for over 850 fps from a 1 7/8" barrel and is acceptable under the last .38 Special +P data that I looked at (see caveat supra). This slightly exceeds the velocities produced by factory "FBI Loads" - I use it a lot for practice b/c Power Pistol meters so darn well. I have a Unique load (formerly acceptable under the manufacturer's guidelines but no more
) that duplicates the "FBI Load" that I prefer to use for carry instead of this Power Pistol load because I find PP to be "flashy" in low light.Read and consider Mas' advice before using handloads for self-defense. You probably know what I do, but that doesn't mean it's right for you.
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Skip Sackett
US Veteran
'Pends on what snubbie you are talking about!
Well,
In my M637 I limit myself quite a bit because of it being of an alloy frame.
I have a M60 with a 3" barrel that gets some pretty stout loads though.
Like Erich, some are way over current SAAMI specifications so I won't share them. Needless to say, they are from the Speer #8 and we have had quite a discussion in days past over them!
I have used the gamut of powders and a 158gr LSWC with good success in it though. Powders such as Bullseye and 2400, and everything in between. HP-38/W231 is a good choice too, with a big following.
Personally, I want to start looking at some with Longshot as it meters like a dream and the pressures seem to be on the low side with velocity on the high side. That's a win/win in my book!
Since you are a new reloader let me give you some advice. Stick with current published data. Go to the powder manufacturer's website/manual and start with their low end data and work up.
Do that for a couple of years and get real good at it before venturing into uncharted waters. The waters may have even been charted a long time ago but new "reefs" may have popped up since then, if you get my drift!
There is something to be said for being safe.
Well,
In my M637 I limit myself quite a bit because of it being of an alloy frame.
I have a M60 with a 3" barrel that gets some pretty stout loads though.
Like Erich, some are way over current SAAMI specifications so I won't share them. Needless to say, they are from the Speer #8 and we have had quite a discussion in days past over them!
I have used the gamut of powders and a 158gr LSWC with good success in it though. Powders such as Bullseye and 2400, and everything in between. HP-38/W231 is a good choice too, with a big following.
Personally, I want to start looking at some with Longshot as it meters like a dream and the pressures seem to be on the low side with velocity on the high side. That's a win/win in my book!
Since you are a new reloader let me give you some advice. Stick with current published data. Go to the powder manufacturer's website/manual and start with their low end data and work up.
Do that for a couple of years and get real good at it before venturing into uncharted waters. The waters may have even been charted a long time ago but new "reefs" may have popped up since then, if you get my drift!
There is something to be said for being safe.
681ismyfavorite
Member
didnt see this was reloading section.
Landric
Member
I loaded up a bunch of 125 grain RNLs and 4.0 grains of Trail Boss that makes a very pleasant plinking load in the alloy frame snubbies. I just got a Lee 105 grain SWC .358 mold, and I'm in the process of working up a good plinking load using that, my goal also being a nice Airweight plinker.
When it comes to my magnum snubby, the SP101, I like magnums for fun, 13.0 grains of 2400 with a 158 grain SWC.
When it comes to my magnum snubby, the SP101, I like magnums for fun, 13.0 grains of 2400 with a 158 grain SWC.
I've had some confusing results in my .38 special experiments. I was loading Hornady 158 LSWC and Unique (thrown with my Chargemaster 1500), and 4.7 gr was as high as I wanted to go in my 642 - I was getting the cylinder release bite on my thumb.
I later bought the "legendary" Federal FBI load (158 LSWCHP, +P), and in comparison I thought it was rather anemic.
Compared to some of the loads I've read about here, the 4.7 gr Unique load should have been a rather weenie load and the Federal load quite potent.
No chrony, so I have no idea of the velocity of each, but I'm a bit confused with my results.
I later bought the "legendary" Federal FBI load (158 LSWCHP, +P), and in comparison I thought it was rather anemic.
Compared to some of the loads I've read about here, the 4.7 gr Unique load should have been a rather weenie load and the Federal load quite potent.
No chrony, so I have no idea of the velocity of each, but I'm a bit confused with my results.
Erich
Member
4.7 of Unique should get you close to the FBI Load, but not quite there. I would not describe the Federal (or any other) FBI Load as "quite potent" - rather, "adequate for social work."
Get a chronograph to back up that reloadin machine.
Get a chronograph to back up that reloadin machine.
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My standard 38 load is 4.5 of 231 and a 158 gr cast swc. I have a snub 19 and don't care for magnum loads in it.
For my old Rossi J frame I load lots of Lyman 358425 Wadcutters over 3.7 grains Red dot for practice and over 5.1 of Unique for serious use. This is nominally a 112 grain button nose wadcutter but drops 115 grains from my mold. The Unique load is under max standard pressure but does over 1000fps .
My favorite plinking load in other 38s is a 158SWC over 3.6 of PB-low recoil and very clean.
My +P load is very close to Erich's-I load 5.9 grains of Power Pistol under an Ideal 358432-an ancient wadcutter design that predates the doulble ended cylinder wadcutter concept. Instead it has a crimp groove that allows seating at the same depth as common 158 gr SWCs and a slightly reduced diameter wadcutting nose that protrudes from the case. It was made in both 148 grain and 160grain versions-I have the 148 which drops at 150 with my alloy and can be loaded using 158grain SWC data. That loading exits a four inch barrel at 980fps and is an honest +P but NOT +P+
BTW, Whie it is true that there are jacketed bullets that may expand at 4inch barrel velocities and not do so from a snub I'm not sure that I agree with the premise that a load can work from a 4" but fail froma 2"------but I'm an old fuddy duddy who thinks that jacketed bullets are an ill conceived abomination in revolver cartridges.
My favorite plinking load in other 38s is a 158SWC over 3.6 of PB-low recoil and very clean.
My +P load is very close to Erich's-I load 5.9 grains of Power Pistol under an Ideal 358432-an ancient wadcutter design that predates the doulble ended cylinder wadcutter concept. Instead it has a crimp groove that allows seating at the same depth as common 158 gr SWCs and a slightly reduced diameter wadcutting nose that protrudes from the case. It was made in both 148 grain and 160grain versions-I have the 148 which drops at 150 with my alloy and can be loaded using 158grain SWC data. That loading exits a four inch barrel at 980fps and is an honest +P but NOT +P+
BTW, Whie it is true that there are jacketed bullets that may expand at 4inch barrel velocities and not do so from a snub I'm not sure that I agree with the premise that a load can work from a 4" but fail froma 2"------but I'm an old fuddy duddy who thinks that jacketed bullets are an ill conceived abomination in revolver cartridges.
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bmcgilvray
Member
In my experience, 4.8 grains (just a whisker more than Erich's 4.7 grains) of Unique will propel a 158 grain SWC to 858 fps from a 4-inch barrel and 806 fps from a 2-inch barrel. I've found that most +P 158 SWC-HP factory loads gen up about 75 fps to 100 fps more velocity from both 2-inch barrels and 4-inch barrels than this 4.8 grain hand load.
This 4.8 grain load has been my general purpose load for plinking and field use for over 30 years. It used to be a middle-of-the-road load but is now considered excessive in some modern manuals.
The maximum listed charge weight for Unique and the 158 grain lead SWC bullet as published in the Lyman 46th manual duplicates the velocities of "FBI load" for me and shoots very well in the 2-inch and 4-inch K-Frame Smith & Wesson revolvers that I use. This old standard maximum for Unique used to be common in several manuals from days gone by.
I like the ballistics of the "FBI load" or similar hand loads for self defense use in .38 Special guns of all barrel lengths. Firing such loads won't make the sky cloud up and rain nor will it burst revolvers but it is a very sensible choice for serious social purposes.
Though it is advertised to be "cleaner" I don't happen to believe that Unique has been reformulated to burn any "differently" than "old" Unique. At least not an any more so than reasonable lot to lot differences and these are allowances for which a wise hand loader should make when working up maximum loads with any newly opened can of powder of a different lot. I haven't seen any evidence of velocity disparities or pressure signs when using "new" Alliant Unique side by side with old lots of Hercules Unique. This is only my personal view of the matter.
This 4.8 grain load has been my general purpose load for plinking and field use for over 30 years. It used to be a middle-of-the-road load but is now considered excessive in some modern manuals.
The maximum listed charge weight for Unique and the 158 grain lead SWC bullet as published in the Lyman 46th manual duplicates the velocities of "FBI load" for me and shoots very well in the 2-inch and 4-inch K-Frame Smith & Wesson revolvers that I use. This old standard maximum for Unique used to be common in several manuals from days gone by.
I like the ballistics of the "FBI load" or similar hand loads for self defense use in .38 Special guns of all barrel lengths. Firing such loads won't make the sky cloud up and rain nor will it burst revolvers but it is a very sensible choice for serious social purposes.
Though it is advertised to be "cleaner" I don't happen to believe that Unique has been reformulated to burn any "differently" than "old" Unique. At least not an any more so than reasonable lot to lot differences and these are allowances for which a wise hand loader should make when working up maximum loads with any newly opened can of powder of a different lot. I haven't seen any evidence of velocity disparities or pressure signs when using "new" Alliant Unique side by side with old lots of Hercules Unique. This is only my personal view of the matter.
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Skip Sackett
US Veteran
Does it look like this?
I have the 160gr mold but it is made by Modern Bond and looks like this:
Just recently there have been some tests with this bullet from shorter barrels with good results. I have only pushed these at lower velocities myself. I did push some to 357mag velocities but had the wrong alloy and it wasn't pretty. Looks like I have to revive testing these!
I have the 160gr mold but it is made by Modern Bond and looks like this:
Just recently there have been some tests with this bullet from shorter barrels with good results. I have only pushed these at lower velocities myself. I did push some to 357mag velocities but had the wrong alloy and it wasn't pretty. Looks like I have to revive testing these!
indiandave
Member
For target shooting I like a 148gr hbwc over 3.0 grains of Winchester 231 with a light crimp.
Erich
Member
For the record, 4.7 grains of Unique under a 158-grainer is only a load that I've used: it's not one that I'm recommending or that I use a lot. I only discussed it in my 8:30 post last night in response to someone else who'd mentioned it.
I only discussed it in my 8:30 post last night in response to someone else who'd mentioned it.
Mule88
Member
I usually use 5 gn of Unique behind a 158 gn cast. Always been a good load with good accuracy.
4.7 of Unique should get you close to the FBI Load, but not quite there. I would not describe the Federal (or any other) FBI Load as "quite potent" - rather, "adequate for social work."
Get a chronograph to back up that reloadin machine.
Hmm... 18.0 gr of something in a .38 special?
acl864
Member
5.1 grains of Unique under a 148-gr hardcast TVB DEWC with a CCI small pistol primer and a firm roll crimp is good for over 900 fps out of a 1 7/8" barrel and is acceptable under the last .38 Special published data that I looked at (Heaven knows that SAAMI may be limiting us even further now, in case someone has managed to re-chamber a zinc-cast cap gun in the formerly Mighty .38 Special
+1 on this load- 962 fps avg @ 15' out of my 642. It's a handful in that gun- but is accurate.
Erich
Member
Great load, isn't it, acl? I find it reasonably easy to shoot, but then I'm comparing it to 195-grainers and THE LOAD.
Johngalt, that's actually 18.0 grains of something (Lil' Gun) in a .357 Magnum case . . . . I just wanted to put up a pic of the 1500, and that was handy.
I find it reasonably easy to shoot, but then I'm comparing it to 195-grainers and THE LOAD.Johngalt, that's actually 18.0 grains of something (Lil' Gun) in a .357 Magnum case . . . .
I just wanted to put up a pic of the 1500, and that was handy. dennis40x
US Veteran
This makes any load in the Speer #8 look rather mild.
I use an R&P case that I've had for the last 45 plus years, small rifle primer, 2 ½ t spoons of SR4756 compressed, and a 327gr hard cast bullet. The muzzle flash is a sight to be hold, the concussive wave well knock your socks off and recoil is not for those that are timid. This makes any load in the Speer #8 look rather mild. A bunch of sissies wrote that book. Their all weak knee sissies' now, manly manuals are no longer written.
I use an R&P case that I've had for the last 45 plus years, small rifle primer, 2 ½ t spoons of SR4756 compressed, and a 327gr hard cast bullet. The muzzle flash is a sight to be hold, the concussive wave well knock your socks off and recoil is not for those that are timid. This makes any load in the Speer #8 look rather mild. A bunch of sissies wrote that book. Their all weak knee sissies' now, manly manuals are no longer written.
