I have a model 36 and a friend just got a 442. I recently started reloading for .38 special again after a long lay off. I just got some 125 gr coated SWCs from Bayou. I also have some 140 gr jhps and I intend to get 125 gr jhp premium JHP bullets for defense type ammo. I'd like to make practice rounds with the 125 gr. SWCs to mimic the 125 gr. jhps. You guys that have measured these loads what velocities can be reasonably expected from a .38 +Ps out of a 2" barrel?
Ballistics by the inch shows some commercial ammo getting about 911 max with Cor-bon 125 gr jhp.
I loaded some practice rounds, probably 158 gr SWCs (What I had on hand) and if memory serves I got about under 600 to about 640 fps max. I thought, "Hmmmm, I'm going to have to jazz these rounds up a little or the bad guys will swat them out of the air with their hands." So I settled on 125 jhp to 135 grain (Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot IF I can find any) as the bullet most likely to succeed. I draw the line at 110 grain, I shoot 125 gr out of my 9mms, though I could be convinced to go that light for the sake of velocity.
What have you guys been able to do with this combination?
Ballistics by the inch shows some commercial ammo getting about 911 max with Cor-bon 125 gr jhp.
I loaded some practice rounds, probably 158 gr SWCs (What I had on hand) and if memory serves I got about under 600 to about 640 fps max. I thought, "Hmmmm, I'm going to have to jazz these rounds up a little or the bad guys will swat them out of the air with their hands." So I settled on 125 jhp to 135 grain (Speer Short Barrel Gold Dot IF I can find any) as the bullet most likely to succeed. I draw the line at 110 grain, I shoot 125 gr out of my 9mms, though I could be convinced to go that light for the sake of velocity.
What have you guys been able to do with this combination?