[RM]

I was told that some brands of .38 Special +P ammo will make the 165,000 power factor required for shooting IDPA in the ESR class. Does anyone know what brands of ammo make the ESR power factor? Thank you.

[Jim Watson]

I think you were told wrong; .38 Special, even +P is doing well to make f=125,000 for SSR.

Consider that 158 gr x 1045 fps = 165,100. Some of the guys redeveloping the .38-44 Heavy Duty ammo could do that but it is not found in factory ammo or in handbook reloads. Not in a real 4" revolver, even though you might see it in some old data for 8" test barrels.

[jmorris]

Jim is correct, my SSR load is above +p loads in the manuals (I use 38brass in a 357).

ESR was created because shooters using speed loaders didn’t like to compete against shooters using moon clips. You would be much more competitive shooting a .38 in SSR. If you happen to be a glutton for punishment, to make the 165pf you would need to step up to 357mag.

[Jim Watson]

Remington used to offer a .357 "Medium" but I do not know if it is still available.

All options are open to handloaders, of course.

[pwrtool45]

Me and at least one other revolver shooter I know are running +P+ loads (or borderline) to make 125PF with Titegroup. As the other posters have said, .38s just aren't going to work. .357s will, though. I think Miwall make some pretty sedate 'magnum' loads that'll hit 165 without being too vicious.

www.outdoormarksman.com carries Miwall. I've ordered from them in the past with good results, though it's been awhile.

[SR_]

I tried a number of commercial +P loads and did not find one that crono'd at 125k or higher. It is what got me into reloading.

I heard the S&B would make it, but couldn't find it in stock (or at a reasonable price).

The Speer Lawman +P is close, but under 125K. I used that load until I started reloading (I bought ammo by the case and a local dealer gave me a price break).

I was not able to find the Federal +P with the lead bullets - I have been told that it will make power factor. (But everything else that was supposed to make PF didn't - and I used two separate crono's.)


FYI, if you are only shooting club matches, the MD might not care if you are not making power factor (as long as you are at +P). I've started shooting national matches so it was an issue for me. Also, our club uses steel poppers to activate items - sometimes a light load does not have enough oomph to put the popper down.

My handloads are at roughly 133k, have reasonable recoil, and put steel down very well.

[SR_]

To be competitive in ESR you would need to get your pistol modified for moon clips. If you don't reload, you'll need to use magnum ammo - which will not fit if your gun is not rated for .357 mag.

The cost of moonclips etc are high for a .38/.357 which explains why most of those in ESR are using a .40S&W/10mm or a .45ACP wheelgun.