38spl snub-nose handloads
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AJC1
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GeoDudeFlorida
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mkl
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Hard to beat 5;0 grains Unique behind almost any bullet that dosrn't work well.
AJC1
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Most 38s have a hard time expanding hollowpoints. Speer made a 130 specifically for short barrels but I've never been able to get a box. If it was carry ammo for pest control and around the farm I'd be keen on an swc in the 125-140 area for decent energy and not so much sectional density your shooting way through. If this is carry ammo I would opt to buy a box, shoot 10 for practice and Cary 5 with 5 in a speed loader....
I used to carry reversed hollow base wadcutters in a Chiefs Special 40 years ago, but never had the "opportunity" to shoot anyone.
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fxvr5
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You're not looking hard enough. There is data for Unique and A#5 online.
brewer12345
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I like 5 grains of unique and a 158 grain bullet, although it is a handful in a lightweight revolver. More controllable is my other favorite, 4 grains of HP38 and a 148 grain Berry's DEWC at 1.24" OAL.
I have been reloading for 43 years and have a half dozen manuals, but nothing specific for snub-nosed revolvers.
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fxvr5
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The load data, being charge weight, will not be different for different barrel lengths.
Speer has data showing the speed of bullets for short barrels in the 38 Special, specifically a 2" Model 15, for their short barrel bullets. But the charge weight is the same for all barrel lengths.
What do you need to know that is specific to snub-nosed revolvers?
brewer12345
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The problem with snubs is that it is hard to get enough velocity to get expansion with standard pressure 38. They also tend to be light weight, so you feel recoil more when you shoot them. I think there are two ways to go here:
- For a night stand gun I would consider a 4 inch barrel. You get meaningfully more velocity (usually enough to get expansion) and the guns are heavier so they soak up more recoil and are easier to shoot while still being easily maneuverable.
- If you are set on a snub, forget expansion. Pick a bullet that is all meplat (DEWC or HBWC) and drive it as fast as you can within pressure limits while still getting good accuracy. I like DEWCs for this because you don't have to worry about blowing skirts off the HBWCs and can drive them as fast as you like within the limits of the cartridge.
When dealing with smaller, more concealable guns, I generally choose to trade off some power for better accuracy and controllability. That lets you get fast follow up shots and the gun is controllable.
Jim Watson
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I have some Speer 135 gr Short Barrel ammo for my only deployed "snubby."
For practice, I can't be bothered, it gets the same stuff as my 4".
For practice, I can't be bothered, it gets the same stuff as my 4".
P Flados
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The top listed loads from Alliant / Hodgdon for Unique / AA#5 are pretty good for a snub. WST might be OK, but I did not see load data for a light bullet.
A short barrel does not change the "max load" but it may make selecting the "optimum" powder slightly different than typical load data would indicate.
I ran some Quickload stuff to look at "best" powders for a 125 from a 2" snub. At the same pressures, AA #5 will be about 7 fps faster than Unique. Of the common powders better than AA #5, the best are probably AA#7 and Power Pistol which will give you another 12 fps or so.
With AA#5, I would only expect around 890 fps from a snub. I am not sure how much expansion is assured for typical over the counter bullets. Name brand factory 125 self defense ammo is likely to use bullets a little more appropriate than you will be able to find for your reloads. Reloading with any available 125 JSP/JHP for practice and using factory for SD might be a good idea for this application.
A short barrel does not change the "max load" but it may make selecting the "optimum" powder slightly different than typical load data would indicate.
I ran some Quickload stuff to look at "best" powders for a 125 from a 2" snub. At the same pressures, AA #5 will be about 7 fps faster than Unique. Of the common powders better than AA #5, the best are probably AA#7 and Power Pistol which will give you another 12 fps or so.
With AA#5, I would only expect around 890 fps from a snub. I am not sure how much expansion is assured for typical over the counter bullets. Name brand factory 125 self defense ammo is likely to use bullets a little more appropriate than you will be able to find for your reloads. Reloading with any available 125 JSP/JHP for practice and using factory for SD might be a good idea for this application.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Speer has some data for snubs using their “SB” version of the Gold Dot. I tried some of those loads and they seem pretty good but nothing special. The velocities Speer claims are hopeful but in my guns not what the Chrony says. That said, the Speer 135gr GDHP-SB is a good bullet. Very consistent and I get pretty good “accuracy” (7yds) from them in the Dick Special. 5gr of Unique is the spot.
AJC1
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Power Pistol would be my absolute last choice for a nightstand gun due to flash and bark. Silhouette has flash suppressant as does be-86 I think. Power Pistol can be fun at the range but I won't buy any more.
I too reside in the Full Wadcutter Camp.. But... Not HBWC for the reason stated... I wonder aloud sometimes that reversed HBWC might be better at higher pressure loadings just to Push the "skirt" vs Blowing it off...
To me tho... a DEWC is OK,. and My Button Nose WC are an Extremely accurate and plenty powerful loading...while Providing Maximum Meplat... All Good!
Edit to add... I especially like the Crimp Groove be on my Wadcutters... no worries of projectile moving In nor Out!!!
I'd spend some time researching factory ammo .38 Special hollow point, and more specifically for snub nose. I'm sure they do things or use components to make it work. you're really only looking at a couple variables, how fast the bullet needs to be going to expand, and how much powder you would need to get it going that fast or a bit faster. my guess would be most projectiles would not expand in a snub revolver, unless it was maybe .357 .. you may hit a max charge in .38 Special, and not get enough speed for the projectile to expand. Speer makes some specific to snub nose, maybe softer lead or something.
I conducted some experiments with the reversed HBWC back in the 70s. When they worked, they worked well. However, I found the performance to be iffy enough to abandon. I stuck to the 148 HBWC loaded conventionally at target velocities in a 2" j frame.
Without giving details, it has worked.
The "problem" is exactly what brewer12345 said, snub nose 38 Special expansion. Years ago, before good SD .357" bullets were designed I use a decent load for my 2" 38 Special house guns I used a cast 150 gr. DEWC over a heavy (max.) load of W231. Accurate out to 12 yards, didn't try any farther, and I figgered a flat nose 150 gr bullet at around 900 fps would work pretty well at across the room distance and not endanger the neighbors...
I too tried the 148 gr. HBWC loaded backwards. Fired into soaked newsprint and I also found performance to be inconsistent. Some expanded great, but some the skirts just collapsed and some just plugged cavities with paper.
I too tried the 148 gr. HBWC loaded backwards. Fired into soaked newsprint and I also found performance to be inconsistent. Some expanded great, but some the skirts just collapsed and some just plugged cavities with paper.
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OK… I’ll bite. Why?
Ohen Cepel
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I like a 158gr LSWC in a snubnose. Won't expand, but I am not sure many of the HP's out there will. The 158 has weight on its side which I prefer over a lighter HP which I don't trust. Plus, the LSWC are priced well.
As mentioned above, a longer barrel for a nightstand gun seems like a good way to go.
If you do go with HP's check with the maker at to their proposed expansion velocity and chronograph them to confirm you're getting that.
As mentioned above, a longer barrel for a nightstand gun seems like a good way to go.
If you do go with HP's check with the maker at to their proposed expansion velocity and chronograph them to confirm you're getting that.
Docendo Discimus
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I like the Lee 358-158 RF over 4.0 grains of W231. In testing I couldn't get xtp hollowpoints to expand out of a J frame.
The heavier bullets seem to have a more controllable recoil than the lighter ones which is a plus for me.
The heavier bullets seem to have a more controllable recoil than the lighter ones which is a plus for me.
