reloading .38 spl for older handguns

c&rdaze · Jul 10, 2017

Question: What is a safe load older handguns? As in: 1914 Colt Police Positive frame and S&W Victory (so ~ 40s). No +p for sure but?

Reloading 158gr plated HP, over HP-38,Unique

What I have so far: 4.8gr Unique = ave 760ft/sec. : 3.8gr HP-38 = 685ft/sec
Remington UMC 158 (loaded with ?)=819ft/sec

My Lyman book lists 5.0gr 710ft/sec max with 158gr HP. I know different powders have different pressure loads but...

So the Remington commercial appears to 'overpower' as well as the Unique. Is the Remington really safe? Other loads? Recommendations to try.

pcfixer · Jul 11, 2017

c&rdaze said:
Question: What is a safe load older handguns? As in: 1914 Colt Police Positive frame and S&W Victory (so ~ 40s). No +p for sure but?

Reloading 158gr plated HP, over HP-38,Unique

What I have so far: 4.8gr Unique = ave 760ft/sec. : 3.8gr HP-38 = 685ft/sec
Remington UMC 158 (loaded with ?)=819ft/sec

My Lyman book lists 5.0gr 710ft/sec max with 158gr HP. I know different powders have different pressure loads but...

So the Remington commercial appears to 'overpower' as well as the Unique. Is the Remington really safe? Other loads? Recommendations to try.

This all depends on the quality/condition of 1914 Colt!
3.8gr HP-38 = 685ft/sec is a safe load.

Hodgdon HP-38 .359" 1.200" 2.2 595 2.5 630
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/pistol

iH8DemLibz · Jul 11, 2017

If you're concerned about the quality/condition/metallurgy of your S&W, stay at the low end of published load data and just have fun shooting your revolver.

Melnic · Jul 11, 2017

I have a 1929 Police Positive and I can not recall where I was told/read but I load them with hard cast lube bullets and at the lower end of the load data.
I dont' shoot it much. I still have not gone through the original 300 cast bullets I got in trade to load for it.

c&rdaze · Jul 11, 2017

Thanks for the replies. What surprised me most was the Remington UMC being that fast, had always 'assumed' it would be 'safe' until I got a chrono to check. I was always more worried about my handloads. Want to keep the 'old lady' safe. Not to worried about the Victory just no +p.

Biggfoot44 · Jul 11, 2017

I have some answers for you involving Victory Mdl, Unique, and 231 and chronograph. But first I want to get a handle on your actual concerns.

Is it pressure in absolute sense ? Is it to reduce inerta driven battering of internal lockwork? Is it to duplicate certain historical factory loads ?

How about that PPS? Is the concern merely "age" , or any actual issues ? How's timing, headspace and throat condition ?

John from MD · Jul 11, 2017

I have a 3rd model hand ejector .38 Spl and I use two loads in it. 3.1 gns of Bullsey and 3.0 gns of Red Dot both shoot accurately and are easy on the gun.

Magnumite · Jul 11, 2017

3.1 grains of Bullseye is my favorite 38 Soecial load for both 148 grain WC and 158 grain lead RN, SWC. In a 357 case for the magnum gun I bump it to 3.3 grains using the same bullets.

c&rdaze · Jul 12, 2017

Just looking for something safe. Would be interesting to know what was historically accurate. I was surprised that the commercial Remington had a relative faster speed than my reloads. That's what I was using for the 1914 Police Positive.

BTW, I've been looking for Bulleye for around five years. That's why I picked up several Unique lbs.

Biggfoot44 · Jul 12, 2017

Having chrono'ed commercial loads, and my handloads from the same Victory :

Post 1972 (SAAMI era) 158 RN Standard velocity Federal is duplicated by 158gr cast with 3.4gr 231 .

Pre 1972 various "full power" (before existance of +P ).38spl duplicated by 158 cast with 4.5gr Unique .

Slightly slower at +/- 700fps , but pleasant shooting, and extremely consistant, and usually very accurate is 158cast with 3.2gr 231 .

I also have a duplication of 1980s era FBI Load, but that's not what OP wanted .

My Toy · Jul 12, 2017

I've chronographed my 38 spl. load of 158 gr. Oregon Trail lead RNFP, PMC brass, WSP primer and 4.3 grs. of Unique to average 763 fps out of a 4" barreled revolver. As I recall that is pretty close in velocity to commercial std. 158 gr. lead 38 spl. loads. I have a Ruger security six /w 6" barrel that will consistently group this load in 1-1/2" over rest at 25 yards. Judging by the recoil the load seems rather mild.

Biggfoot44 · Jul 12, 2017

Yes , 763fps with 158gr is reasonably mild . There can be substantial variations if velocity ( I had a "fast" 4in that edged out a "slow" 6in .357 .) That's the value of my having chrono'ed then current factory loads out of same revolver(s) as developed handloads.

Magnumite · Jul 13, 2017

I believe the standard factory velocity of the old 158 grain round nose lead bullets was around 750 fps.

ken792 · Jul 13, 2017

The S&W will be fine with lots of shooting and will take just about any .38 ammo in spec. The Colt, not so much. I'd deliberately load the ammo for the Colt as light as possible, probably with wadcutters. Colts have that bank vault tight lockup since the hand simultaneously pushes the cylinder forwards and clockwise at the moment the trigger breaks. That's fine as long as there was consistent armorer support to stretch out the hand or replace it as they wore, but that's not so easy these days. I also don't recommend shooting it if it's gotten loose, since loose lockup will only accelerate the wear.

I'd recommend 148gr wadcutters if only punching paper. They're meant to be loaded light.

Shazam · Jul 13, 2017

I have loaded light 38 spc loads for the wife and kinds to shoot with as little as 3.5 gr Unique and 148gr DEWC or 158 gr lead simi-wadcutters. Unique is a bit dirty when loaded this way. I hear that lead projectiles have less friction in the barrel and thus preferred to plated or jacketed bullets when loaded with a light charge.

Biggfoot44 · Jul 13, 2017

The PPS isn't particulary weak, it's the same frame and cylinder as a Detective Special . But as noted, subject to wear on lockwork parts .

John from MD · Jul 13, 2017

If you are going to use Unique in light loads, it will be dirty. You can mitigate this some by using heavier bullets and heavier crimps but that gives you more recoil and works your brass more. If you can't find Bullseye, Red Dot can be used just like the old Bullseye as the most recent version is faster burning.

reloading .38 spl for older handguns

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

Active Member

Ultimate Member

When All Else Fails.

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Ultimate Member

American Patriot

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Ultimate Member

Active Member

Ultimate Member

American Patriot

Users who are viewing this thread

Log in

Forum statistics