Personally 6.5 would be enough. With a charge of only 3.1 grains of Winchester 231 powder, velocities run around 750 to 800 fps with good accuracy and mild recoil. I've used 6.0 Unique under a 160gr. Start conservative if you wish.All three of those powders have published load data for that weight bullet in .38 Special.Winchester's website has data for W231 and a 125 gr LRNFP, but not plated.If you're looking for a real light load that's easy to shoot, I'd just use WW's data for the W231 with a 125 grLRNFP - your load, with a plated bullet should be Very Similar, or slightly slower and safer.Best to start a little low, and work up slowly with a chrono, though.What are YOU shooting? With a 125 grain jacketed bullet, most load data today cuts off at 6 grains of Unique.
It would seem that a 125 grain GDHP is of the same weight and would have a similar profile to what you want to use.Reading the "WARNING" on the site, it states to not exceed the loads published and to start 10% below the loads shown and work up from there.It also shows that the loads were established using a 6" barrel, so regardless of what any published data shows, the chances of ever finding published data for the exact projectile and barrel length you are using, as well as the exact conditions you will be shooting in, would be nearly impossible. Liked 3,062 Times in 815 Posts
This is my first revolver load, (Many different auto loads) and it's for plinking more than anything else, for a friend who owns a S&W stainless revolver.
With a wide variety of jacketed and lead bullets available, the .38 Special is still a joy to shoot and reload. For decades the powders of choice the 38 Special were. I fail to understand some folks obsession with .38 Special at near magnum pressures...if you need that kind of velocity, get a magnum casing and a magnum revolver. Liked 3,062 Times in 815 Posts What do you think of this old load for .38 special +P?
I looked at a number of books, but I'm am not getting a clear thought on what the load should be. Someone pointed out that this would be considered an overload in more recent manuals. But what do you think Cor bon and the other big boys do to get such high velocities out of their loads? Joined: May 10, 2004 Messages: 4,608.
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125 gr plated or 125 gr lead RN. These loads are for my wife's revolver. While it has been overrun by newer, high performance cartridges for hunting, home defense or casual shooting, it is still hard to beat the Special. 908 ----- 140 grain Hornady XTP Bullseye 4.4 gr.
Liked 783 Times in 400 Posts I do vary the load depending on the intended 38.
I have a long way to go before I'm ready to compete, but enjoy plinking and hand loading.I checked out Alliant's website-no data for flat point with the powders I have, but data for Gold Dot HPs for Bullseye and Unique.
The 158-grain bullet is a favorite with fine shooting qualities. Liked 19,287 Times in 10,053 Posts Yeah I wouldn't be surprised if that were true because I Min Charge Max Charge Optimal Charge Bullet Make Bullet Type Primer Notes; Hodgdon - 700-X: 125 gr. 860 231 (+P) 5.3 gr. Winchester's website has data for W231 and a 125 gr LRNFP, but not plated. Liked 7,672 Times in 1,961 Posts
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Based on only two batches of powder, I can't say HS-6 is known for lot-to-lot inconsistency. For example, you can cast your own bullets, use jacketed bullets for more serious situations, and even load the .38 Special to higher +P velocities.My favored revolver is a S&W Model 52 Target. My Lyman 49th has data for 125 gr JHP and 120 gr LRN. Just out of curiosity RW, what did the brass look like? I think this is why they made the .357. 990 No. Speer Number 10. 22,400 cup +P. I can't imagine either would be that much fun out of a 2" J frame . 914 No. Min Charge Max Charge Optimal Charge Bullet Make Bullet Type …
The old Super-Vel 125jhp was factory loaded with 7gr of non canister grade Unique. Years ago I got some info from an old Sierra book, which I think catered to handgunner hunting loads at longer ranges. I load rounds for my wife to shoot @ Win 231 4.0 to 4.3 gr. Load it like Trail Boss ----- 125 grain JHP or JSP (Jacketed Hollow or Soft Point) Bullseye 4.4 gr. Pistol; Rifle; Cowboy; GR. I think this is why they made the .357.
Jun 17, 2009 #2 . Liked 25,855 Times in 12,351 Posts There is no real way to translate CUP to actual PSI readings. Liked 414 Times in 220 Posts The starting load for +P was 6.4 grains of Unique and maxed at 7 grains of Unique. Liked 358 Times in 153 Posts
Any CUP or PSI listings for that or a similar load in an old manual? supposed to tell you? Soft shooting. Unique would be my second choice. Unique (Alliant Powder) None : 1.455" Starting: 5.2 gr : Alliant Powder : Max: 5.8 gr: 1,065 I … Powder Bul Weight C.O.L.
Years ago I routinely loaded 125 gr. The +P data was separate from the ordinary .38 special data. Liked 3,860 Times in 1,822 Posts alwslate, in discussions on many reloading lists, here, castboolit and the high road, Speer #8 is known to have the most overpressure loads of any manual. You can post now and register later.
Use the lead bullet loads with the plated and you will be fine. Liked 25,855 Times in 12,351 Posts Just sayin'
A number of then-contemporary hot and very hot .38 Special handloads and factory ammo were pressure tested.
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The .38 Special provides a no stress adventure into the hobby of reloading. From the Alliant 125 gr Speer GDHP load … More in the heavy guns less in the light ones. Kinda like Dean's sausage, I can load em hot, mild or child mild. 895 HP38 4.8 gr. 4.2 gr. Liked 6,201 Times in 3,017 Posts I can’t think of any cartridge so dear to the hearts of the American sportsman as the .38 Special.