38 Special Load Question

[TGR]

I just loaded a small batch of 38 Special. I had some 125 grain plated FPs from Midway and some Win 231 laying around so I found some data in the Hornady Book that worked.

I went with 5.0 grains of Win 231 over a Win Small Pistol primer and the 125 gr FP, 1.440 COL.

I've never used 231 before and it was a mid-range load according to the manual. Problem is, when referencing a different, handgun only load book, it has that load at a Maximum load which I obviously don't want to start with.

Any suggestions? I'm traveling right now and don't have reference books to look at and I'd hate to pull the entire batch and start over.

Thanks

 

[iH8DemLibz]

I have books that do that too.

One book is real data.

The other was written by lawyers.

I wouldn't worry about it.

Hodgdon's on-line data site shows 4.3 to 4.9 grains of 231 for a 125 grain bullet.

If you have a good .38 Special revolver, it's probably capable of using +P loads anyway.

 

[ken792]

Depends on the gun. It is definitely a hot charge for a (non +P) .38 Special. The Hodgdon data lists 4.8gr as max for a 125gr cast slug, at 16.9k CUP. However, the max charge for a .357 Mag according to their website is 8.5gr at 42.7k CUP. I'd be comfortable shooting such .38 Special handloads out of my .357 Ruger Blackhawk. Modern .38 Special revolvers are usually pretty tough anyway. I just wouldn't run them through a vintage Colt Police Positive or S&W M&P though. The cylinders will survive them just fine, but I wouldn't want to put unnecessary wear on the hands or cylinder ratchets.

 

[rico903]

My Lee manual states max charge as 4.8 lead and 4.9 plated in a 125.

 

[John from MD]

38 special loads listed in most manuals are written for the oldest gun that you can possibly shoot them in. If you have a Model of 1902, the hot loads will loosen up the guns. However, if you are shooting a revolver made from 1950 on, you will be fine.

I also shoot 125 gn lead bullets with 5gns of 231 as it is very accurate in my guns.

Regards,

John

 

[BUFF7MM]

It's funny how different guns find different loads work better in each of them, my optimum load for 125 grain pills is 4.4 grains of W-231. Those were the best average from a 6 inch Taurus 357, a 4 inch Colt 38 and a 2 inch Smith 357.
I shouldn't have included the Smith since that thing was less accurite than throwing a rock with anything I loaded in it.

 

[John from MD]

It's funny how different guns find different loads work better in each of them, my optimum load for 125 grain pills is 4.4 grains of W-231. Those were the best average from a 6 inch Taurus 357, a 4 inch Colt 38 and a 2 inch Smith 357.
I shouldn't have included the Smith since that thing was less accurite than throwing a rock with anything I loaded in it.

Try loading soft 158gn bullets in .357 cases @ 850 FPS in your Smith. I bet it will make a big difference.

John

 

[BUFF7MM]

Try loading soft 158gn bullets in .357 cases @ 850 FPS in your Smith. I bet it will make a big difference.

John

The Smith&Wesson did like Elvis, it left the building.
I've got another snubbie in 357 that I loaded some 158's from Missouri bullet for, load data shows around 950fps for them but I haven't had the chance to get them to the range yet.

 

[Melnic]

What velocity is a typical factory round 125gr projectile?
I've got some X-treme 125g bullets for my 1929 Police Positive.
I loaded up 4.0g of bullseye and chrono was not reading well, but everything was less than 800fps which I thought was not pushing it hard..

 

[jimbobborg]

Problem is, when referencing a different, handgun only load book, it has that load at a Maximum load which I obviously don't want to start with.

Which primers were used in which load? Winchester primers are rated between Standard and Magnum, whereas everyone else separates the two.

 

[John from MD]

What velocity is a typical factory round 125gr projectile?
I've got some X-treme 125g bullets for my 1929 Police Positive.
I loaded up 4.0g of bullseye and chrono was not reading well, but everything was less than 800fps which I thought was not pushing it hard..

Winchester lists 850 FPS as standard load and 945 FPS for +P load using 125 gn bullet in a 38 Special. If you are using lead bullets, you have to bump that up some as there is less friction than jacketed.

As for primers, using magnum primers with Bullseye is a waste of money. Magnum primers are made to be used in Magnum loads using Magnum powders like 2400, H110 etc.

John

 

[Melnic]

Thx. The Alliant site showed 1000FPS for RNFP cast as well as JHP using 5.4gr Bullseye
I loaded 4.0 into some copper flat points

 

[TGR]

Thanks guys. The loads were for a 1960s Colt Sevice Revolver that was my dads first issue gun. Will probably pull them and reload to a milder load. It's my own fault, I usually cross-reference a few books before working up a new load with powder I'm unfamiliar with. Lessened learned. Thanks for the input.

 

[sxs]

Try loading soft 158gn bullets in .357 cases @ 850 FPS in your Smith. I bet it will make a big difference.

John

Yeah, my understanding is that smith optimizes their 38 revolvers for 158 gr wadcutter or semi-wadcutter. For that matter, my S&W 27 loves those cast boolits in that size as well.

 

[edhallor]

Thanks guys. The loads were for a 1960s Colt Sevice Revolver that was my dads first issue gun. Will probably pull them and reload to a milder load. It's my own fault, I usually cross-reference a few books before working up a new load with powder I'm unfamiliar with. Lessened learned. Thanks for the input.

Agree, that load is a no no in that Colt, however pulling and reloading is going to be a PIA. No win unless you can find a trade with someone with a .357 or a late date S&W that will handle a +P.
Eddie O

 

[Biggfoot44]

Colt What ? A revolver used for duty could include : OP, PPS, Diamondback, and Colt probably made some Trooperes with ".38 Only" chambers for various contracts.