Can I reload 38 SPL +P in regular cases?

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Looking to get myself a S&W Bodyguard 38 soon. As its +P rated (almost as good as a 357??) I was wondering if I can just use my regular 38 SPL brass. And if yes, what would a good, but not really hot, +P load using Bullseye and 125 bullet be?
 
Looking to get myself a S&W Bodyguard 38 soon. As its +P rated (almost as good as a 357??) I was wondering if I can just use my regular 38 SPL brass. And if yes, what would a good, but not really hot, +P load using Bullseye and 125 bullet be?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can use +P loads in standard cases. I wouldn't go so far as to say they're almost as good as 357's, but I haveno doubt they'll get the job done!
As far as a load goes, the only manual I have handy is the Lyman 49th Edition.
Here are a few of their +P loads for a Hornady 125 gr. JHP:
5.0 grs. Bullseye- 920 fps
4.5 grs. 700X- 877 fps
5.0 grs. Titegroup- 1001 fps
5.4 grs. WW231- 882 fps
6.4 grs. Power Pistol-1005 fps

Good luck,
35W
 
35 Whelen said:
Yes, you can use +P loads in standard cases. I wouldn't go so far as to say they're almost as good as 357's, but I haveno doubt they'll get the job done!
As far as a load goes, the only manual I have handy is the Lyman 49th Edition.
Here are a few of their +P loads for a Hornady 125 gr. JHP:
5.0 grs. Bullseye- 920 fps
4.5 grs. 700X- 877 fps
5.0 grs. Titegroup- 1001 fps
5.4 grs. WW231- 882 fps
6.4 grs. Power Pistol-1005 fps

Good luck,
35W
Click to expand...
Gotta love Bullseye, your powerful all purpose pistol powder!
 
Why doesn't anyone ever mention Longshot? If you want to load some actual +P then load it. Sometimes I get this feeling from new guys that they are affraid they will get judged for wanting to load full house stuff. It's just not like that. We all have different hand loading personalities one could say, some of us like high velocity, some middle of the road, some super low velocity comfortable to shoot loads, and the list goes on as does the type of load to choose from.
Now, if your wanting a real live +P load you'll love this one. I personally load and shoot this one and it is quite close to what you might experience from a .357 middle of the road load. I've also chronographed it and velocities are in the same neighborhood as listed.
Both of these loads are straight out og Hogdon's reloader's pages.

110 grain Hornady XTP with 7.6 grains of Longshot = 1337 fps.
125 grain Hornady XTP with 7.0 grains of Longshot = 1228 fps.
If you visit the Hogdon reloader site you'll see a good number of loads for +P and standard 38 spcl..
 
gamestalker said:
Why doesn't anyone ever mention Longshot? If you want to load some actual +P then load it. Sometimes I get this feeling from new guys that they are affraid they will get judged for wanting to load full house stuff. It's just not like that. We all have different hand loading personalities one could say, some of us like high velocity, some middle of the road, some super low velocity comfortable to shoot loads, and the list goes on as does the type of load to choose from.
Now, if your wanting a real live +P load you'll love this one. I personally load and shoot this one and it is quite close to what you might experience from a .357 middle of the road load. I've also chronographed it and velocities are in the same neighborhood as listed.
Both of these loads are straight out og Hogdon's reloader's pages.

110 grain Hornady XTP with 7.6 grains of Longshot = 1337 fps.
125 grain Hornady XTP with 7.0 grains of Longshot = 1228 fps.
If you visit the Hogdon reloader site you'll see a good number of loads for +P and standard 38 spcl..
Click to expand...
Hey, thanks for your input. I have been reloading for a year now and have never heard anybody recommend LongShot! Might just be one of those great products that for some reason stay under the radar.
 
Yep, only difference is the headstamp. I've loaded standard .38 brass to .38-44 levels 20 times without a single failure.
 
38 spec.-Bullseye - 4.5gr standard maximum 914fps to a Maximum 4.8+P 125gr Speer GDHP 1021fps Alliant's Data.:)
 
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Yes. It won't hurt a thing, but I like to use +P cases to help keep it organized.
 
"...a S&W Bodyguard 38 soon. As its +P rated (almost as good as a 357??)"

Nice revolver.

First, +P is no where close to a .357. In fact, the actual increased velocity/energy is about what you might expect if you get maybe 6-10 feet closer to your target and it beats the pee out of a tiny handgun to do it. The real world difference is so trivial that I feel it's much better to shoot a troll twice than fool with +P ammo.
 
I agree, no problem.
A Dremel with a cutoff wheel could make a nice, quick + on the bottom of each case (not deep, just enough to not get worn or hammered off).

Or, just label the box you store them in. I'm thinking of possibly someone else some day who may end up with your ammo in some way, it would be nice if they new they are +P loads, especially if they are shooting them from a NON +P gun (unless they actually BROKE into your house and STOLE all your ammo, in which case, I wouldn't really be concerned what happens when THEY SHOOT IT!)!
 
Sure you can load them in regular cases. I can also tell you that you can load them way up with regular cases if you shoot them in a 357 revolver. I've shot literally countless thousand of them in IPSC and never had an issue. YMMV

Greg
 
Yeah, but to keep your butt safe, stick to STANDARD .38 Special charts when reloading.
Things have a "habit" of becoming "mixed up".
 
For convenience, I also mark the cases with a Dremel and am able to keep things straight by the case brand and marking.

The +P brass is about as available at Starline as is regular .38 Special brass, and I believe there to be no difference other than the headstamp. I am interested in the distinction, though, because I load the same bullets at different levels.

I allow .357 pressure only in .357 Magnum cases.
.38 Spl +P cases actually contain +P loads, no matter what bullet they have.
Regular .38 Special cases contain plain old .38 Special charges.

This keeps me safe, since I shoot an antique M & P, a +P snubbie, a couple or three .357 Rugers for SASS, and a Blackhawk .357, in addition to three lever action .357/.38 Specials. You can't lose focus on which load you are about to shoot.

Spoil yourself with some sortable brass and use with safe loads in whatever you shoot.
 
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