USFA .38 special

[brianr23]

Okay, I finally received my USFA Single Action in .38 special last week. Being a man who believes that a gun is for using, I've decided to embark on a little mission to find a good solid load with some punch. I also may use the load in a pinch for double duty in my Henry .357/.38. Doing a little research I found a load that I have some interest in and was wondering if anyone has any experience with it. In "Sixguns", John Taffin references a load of 11.5 grains of 2400 with a Lyman 358429 168 grain bullet. I plan on using an Oregon Trail 158 grain LSWC. The book also references this as safe in a USFA .38 special single action. I did a quick (no pun) run through quickload with the default information and it showed a pressure of 33144 psi with the 168 grain and 23668 psi with the 158 grain LSWC. Although outrageous for a .38 special, the USFA single action I have did ship with a 9mm cylinder which is SAAMI rated at 35000 psi. According to quickload I am looking at 1122 fps in the 4.75" USFA and 1568 fps in the Henry. This load meets my criteria. Anyone used this load in a USFA or Colt SAA? What is your experience?

Thanks

 

[loadedround]

Brian, I am not a ballistics engineer, not do I pretend to be one, but I do have some knowledge of reloading and your post has sent some red flags up. Your load is way out of the 38 special +P range(20000 psi) and is within the 357 mag range(35000 psi max.). Unless your revolver is certified for use with 357 mag rounds, I would back off and keep your business loads in the 38 special +P loads only. Also understand that the 9mm case is a much stronger case and smaller in diameter than the 38. Your cylinder is bored smaller and therefore has thicker walls than the your 38 cylinder. Also the 9mm shoots a .355" bullet versus .357" bullet and again less total pressure in your cylinder, forcing cone, and barrel. I do believe that you should rethink what you are planning to do.

 

[brianr23]

loadedround, I agree with your points concerning the 9mm (good points) and agree that the pressure is outside of .38 +P loadings. I have however found more that one reference concerning the use of the load in the SAA. I am hesitant and looking for advice. Your input is greatly appreciated and I am sure that I will start inside .38 special loads and work up slowly. I am very aprehensive and that is why I look to you folks with the experience.

BR

 

[Jim Watson]

Um, I thought Elmer Keith wrote 'Sixguns.' But then you cannot copyright a title.

Any road, in the past, other such crazy adventurers as Lyman, NRA, Kent Bellah, and Ken Waters would go almost that high, with loads of 10-11 grains of No 2400 behind a 150-160 grain .38 Special bullet. Not to mention wild men like Elmer Keith and Skeeter Skelton who loaded 13.5.

But now we are more cautious with pressure guns and maximum published loads 10-15% below SAMMI maximum pressures, and the Internet to spread alarm. Plus gunzine articles saying that 2400 is "faster" than it used to be (while Alliant says allee samee.)

You might PM Peter M. Eick and ask what he is loading for his .38-44 Heavy Duty guns. I don't think computer ballistics are very predictive for straight walled cartridges, especially in pistol sizes.

 

[brianr23]

Taffin's book is "Single Action Sixguns" sorry for the confusion.