madcoon429
Uncle Frodo
I recently acquired a Smith & Wesson Model 32-1 "Terrier" from my father, who just passed early this year. It is chambered in .38 S&W (Not to be confused with .38 Special). The .38 S&W cartridge is shorter, fatter, and anemic, launching (with factory loads) a 146-grain lead RN at a blistering 670 fps. The nominal bore diameter is .360" according to Speer #12.
When my dad was alive, we tried some factory reloads using .358" bullets, and they keyholed all over the place. Worse, the company used .38 Special sizing dies, and the only reason the heads didn't balloon badly was the low pressure level. I have read that many older .38 S&W revolvers were of poor design, hence the low factory pressures.
While I want to keep pressure levels within safe limits, I've been thinking that this J-frame Smith is a quality firearm which can probably handle higher pressures than factory loads, and, let's face it, lead round-noses at under 700 fps simply do not do much for anyone, except for target shooters. Since this revolver has a 2" snout, it's not likely to be a serious target piece.
Enter the 9mm Makarov, with its nominal .361" bore. I am thinking of 95-grain Makarov hollowpoints at around 1000 fps, rougly equaling a .380 ACP ballistically. I'm looking for some loading data that might help me get into the neighborhood. Since my wife and my dad were so close, I wanted her to have his gun as a protector. She doesn't shoot much and is not fond of recoil much beyond that of a .22. I gave it to her for when I'm not around, and I'd like to make it more effective.
Thanks for your help/advice/suggestions!
When my dad was alive, we tried some factory reloads using .358" bullets, and they keyholed all over the place. Worse, the company used .38 Special sizing dies, and the only reason the heads didn't balloon badly was the low pressure level. I have read that many older .38 S&W revolvers were of poor design, hence the low factory pressures.
While I want to keep pressure levels within safe limits, I've been thinking that this J-frame Smith is a quality firearm which can probably handle higher pressures than factory loads, and, let's face it, lead round-noses at under 700 fps simply do not do much for anyone, except for target shooters. Since this revolver has a 2" snout, it's not likely to be a serious target piece.
Enter the 9mm Makarov, with its nominal .361" bore. I am thinking of 95-grain Makarov hollowpoints at around 1000 fps, rougly equaling a .380 ACP ballistically. I'm looking for some loading data that might help me get into the neighborhood. Since my wife and my dad were so close, I wanted her to have his gun as a protector. She doesn't shoot much and is not fond of recoil much beyond that of a .22. I gave it to her for when I'm not around, and I'd like to make it more effective.
Thanks for your help/advice/suggestions!
