Plus P 38 Special

Jonesy814 · Mar 19, 2017

Generally I just load plinking loads for 38 special. Usually its 3.2gr of TiteGroup under a 125gr or 158gr plated bullet for my airweight 638. These are really gentle, especially with the lighter bullet. My other standard load is 3.5gr of TiteGroup with the same 2 bullet weights to run in my 4 inch model 64. The 125gr bullets are Xtreme flat points and the 158's are Xtreme SWC.
I wanted something with a little more oomph so today I loaded 150 rounds using RMR 158gr Truncated cone, cast lead bullets and 5.8gr of Power Pistol. These are in the Plus P range and I plan to run them in my model 64 and my 2.25 inch SP101. Now I just need for the weather to cooperate so I can get out to shoot em!

Hondo 60 · Mar 19, 2017

Sometimes you have to spit in the face of ma nature.

I had a good time at the range today in Eastern Wisconsin.
It was in the 30s with a 10mph wind.
It got cold, my fingers were numb, but we had a blast! - get it? a "blast" lol.
OK, it was a groaner.

But I load a LOT of .38 Spls with Titegroup.
3.2 gr with a 125gr pill is a lite load.
Nice soft recoil for those who are recoil sensitive.
I like to load mine with 3.7 gr. - very accurate from a S&W 10-5.

ewlyon · Mar 19, 2017

i load 38+p for a few different guns using my cast 158gr rnfp and the 158 acme swc. In most of the guns they are nice, accurate loads with decent velocity while still extracting easily. However, in my LCR with the unforgiving crimson trace grip they are the devil incarnate. Without gloves I can generally only run through about 20 before i feel like switching to my plinking ammo which is a 105gr swc over a light charge of hp38.

ArchAngelCD · Mar 19, 2017

Even though Power Pistol is an accurate powder I shy away from it because it's so flashy. It's like I feel about Longshot, I like it a lot for a few applications but it's very loud!

Jonesy814 · Mar 19, 2017

I enjoy shooting full blast magnums so the flash from these Plus P 38 specials wont bother me at all

vaalpens · Mar 19, 2017

Good luck and have some fun with your Power Pistol loads. I like Power Pistol in both 38special and 357magnum. They are not overpowering, but still gives you some nice feedback. This is the load I have settled on in 38special:

38spl, Ruger SP101, 3"
COL: 1.475"
ACME, 158gr, SWCNLG, PowerPistol, 5.7gr, WSP
Average: 921
ES: 24
SD: 9.4
Force: 298
PF: 145
Velocities: 926, 915, 924, 909, 933

I have loaded up all my 158gr SWC bullets and are now planning to explore a batch of 125gr bullets. I still need to decide on FP or RNFP, but PowerPistol will definitely be one of the powders I will start with.

Bama Drifter · Mar 19, 2017

For .38 Spl I run two different loads using Unique and a MBC .38 Match 158gr bullet:

4.1gr Unique, 158gr LSWC --- to feed my Detective Special

5.2gr ", 158gr " --- to feed my Smith Model 19 (or any .357mag)

I have gone as high as 5.5gr w/o noticeable issues in the magnum (using .38 brass), but I felt running .38 Spl +P+ was kinda silly when I've got magnum brass available. Anyway sorry if that's a little off topic.

Sarge7402 · Mar 19, 2017

Bama Drifter said:
For .38 Spl I run two different loads using Unique and a MBC .38 Match 158gr bullet:

4.1gr Unique, 158gr LSWC --- to feed my Detective Special

5.2gr ", 158gr " --- to feed my Smith Model 19 (or any .357mag)

I have gone as high as 5.5gr w/o noticeable issues in the magnum (using .38 brass), but I felt running .38 Spl +P+ was kinda silly when I've got magnum brass available. Anyway sorry if that's a little off topic.

Back when I was reloading regularly I'd load either 4.6 or 5.4 grains of Unique under a plain based 158 grain hard cast SWC in my Charter Arms. Only issue was a crystalized front sight

Hardtarget · Mar 19, 2017

Bama drifter is in the same load range that works for me. I've always shot the 158 lswc in my .38 spec. I've used Unique, Bullseye, WST powders as well.

Mark

Plus P 38 Special

Jonesy814

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Hondo 60

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ewlyon

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ArchAngelCD

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Jonesy814

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vaalpens

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Bama Drifter

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Sarge7402

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Hardtarget

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