2.125" Barrel .357 Reloads?

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Dave Smith

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I just bought a snubby revolver (S&W 640 Pro). I have been a reloader for semi-autos and carbines for many years. However, a short barrel revolver is a different animal.

I am looking for loads for practice and defense using 110 gr. & 125 gr. JHP bullets. I'd like to minimize muzzle flash.

Conventional wisdom would indicate using a fast burning powder. The fastest I currently have is Hodgdon Titegroup (#15 on the 2018 Burn Rate list of 150 powders). The next would be Alliant Power Pistol at #34 on the list.

Suggestions?
 
Power Pistol has a lot of muzzle flash, so avoid it.

What other powders do you have?
 
fxvr5 said:
Power Pistol has a lot of muzzle flash, so avoid it.

What other powders do you have?
Click to expand...

The question is not about what other powders I have. Those were examples.

I'm looking for recommendations for powders and charges for both practice and defense with minimal muzzle flash.
 
Ramshot Silhouette and BE-86 have a flash suppressant. Check their manuals for charge weights.

Check powder website as some of them indicate if they have flash suppressants.
 
Ramshot lists powders for 6" barrel. Same with Alliant BE-86.

I would have thought folks in this forum have worked up loads for a 2" barrel.
 
What velocity are you looking for? That determines the powders you need to use. Use one with flash suppressant, and slower FPS loads (Less than max or even slower) with faster powders with flash suppressant will have the least amount of flash.
 
For defense loads, I'd be surprised if I could get 1,000 fps from a 125 gr. JHP. I'm not necessarily looking for velocity but a combination of velocity & minimal muzzle flash.

I tend to like Hodgdon powders for my other reloads, but I am not "married" to them. I also believe that none of their powders have been treated with a flash suppressant.

A suggestion of a powder (or two) and starting / max recommended load would be helpful.
 
Dave Smith said:
Ramshot lists powders for 6" barrel. Same with Alliant BE-86.

I would have thought folks in this forum have worked up loads for a 2" barrel.
Click to expand...
Deja vu!

The barrel length listed on the powder site does not tell you to use that powder with only the barrel length they test with, it's there as a reference. They are not recommending that powder for that length barrel.

Yes, many of us use our reloads in 2" barrels but I don't personally work up different loads for 2" , 4" or 6" barrels. An accurate load is usually accurate in more than one gun although sometimes more accurate in one than another but it's really not due to the barrel length. (IMO of course)
 
I really find the spiral bound load data books that reprint the Bullet & Powder MFG data to be helpful to see what powders were found to work well.

I also like the Lyman Caliber little books or full manual. They typically list a most accurate loading.
 
I use Titgroup for all my practice rounds 38/357, 44mag, and 9mm. It’s not very flashy to me. Can’t speak for power pistol as I’ve never used it. Out of your short barrel Titegroup should do well.
 
Titegroup works fine, I've used it for years.
CAUTION: it is a very small charge & allows a dbl or triple charge to fit the case.

You're not gonna get the velocity of a powder like 2400 or Lil Gun.
But it does minimize recoil & flash.

Just my 2¢ worth YMMV
 
I had used Titegroup for .38 Special and CFE pistol for .357 Magnum. Now I use BE-86 for .38 and 2400 for .357 Magnum in my 4.25" Ruger GP-100. I like a little snap so the 2400 gives me that and then my son and nephew can shoot the .38's still.
 
Livin_Cincy said:
I really find the spiral bound load data books that reprint the Bullet & Powder MFG data to be helpful to see what powders were found to work well.

I also like the Lyman Caliber little books or full manual. They typically list a most accurate loading.
Click to expand...

I use Speer and Lyman manuals. I also consult with the online Hodgdon guide that covers Hogdgon, IMR, & Winchester powders. They were no help as their loads are for a pistol with a 10" barrel.
 
Hondo 60 said:
Titegroup works fine, I've used it for years.
CAUTION: it is a very small charge & allows a dbl or triple charge to fit the case.

You're not gonna get the velocity of a powder like 2400 or Lil Gun.
But it does minimize recoil & flash.

Just my 2¢ worth YMMV
Click to expand...

This is what I started with. I went a bit below the minimum recommended as a starter - 6.5 gr. with a 125 gr. JHP bullet. I'll be testing on Monday. I won't be able to chrono though. I just want to compare recoil & muzzle flash with factory rounds.
 
Dave Smith said:
I use Speer and Lyman manuals. I also consult with the online Hodgdon guide that covers Hogdgon, IMR, & Winchester powders. They were no help as their loads are for a pistol with a 10" barrel.
Click to expand...

You won't find any published load data from a 2" barrel. Oops, I can't say that can I? Speer has load data for 2" and 2.5" barrels with their "Short Barrel" bullets.

Why does it matter what barrel length the published data is fired from? The published data is more concerned with pressure than velocity, because pressure will damage a gun, and pressure limits define a cartridge.

And velocity varies between guns even with the same barrel length. Read the chapter in the Speer manual on "Why ballisticians get gray", chapter 18 in Manual #14.


Edited to add Speer short barrel bullets data.
 
Last edited:
fxvr5 said:
You won't find any published load data from a 2" barrel.

Why does it matter what barrel length the published data is fired from? The published data is more concerned with pressure than velocity, because pressure will damage a gun, and pressure limits define a cartridge.

And velocity varies between guns even with the same barrel length. Read the chapter in the Speer manual on "Why ballisticians get gray", chapter 18 in Manual #14.
Click to expand...

I did my research! I realize this! This is why I came to the forum!

I thought someone else had gone down this road and wouldn't mind sharing their experiences.
 
Dave Smith said:
I did my research! I realize this! This is why I came to the forum!

I thought someone else had gone down this road and wouldn't mind sharing their experiences.
Click to expand...

Check out Speer's data for short barrel revolvers. (added to my previous post.)
 
Bat Rastard said:
Do you have a link to it?
That would be a great resource. I would like to have access to.
Click to expand...
A current burn rate chart is on the Hodgdon site and has been for many years. Google is your friend simetimes. There is also a chart on the Western Powders sites. (Ramshot and Accurate) Rarely do the charge agree, the are "Relative Burn Charts." Powder speeds change when tested in different cartridges can conditions. Another warning, the charge will tell you which powders are slower if faster but not How Much slow or faster.
https://www.hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/burn-rate-color.pd
http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/burn_rates.pdf
 
I had googled a bit, but didn't find a 2018 chart.
I was hoping to see an updated chart that includes BE-86.
 
rwilky78 said:
I had used Titegroup for .38 Special and CFE pistol for .357 Magnum. Now I use BE-86 for .38 and 2400 for .357 Magnum in my 4.25" Ruger GP-100. I like a little snap so the 2400 gives me that and then my son and nephew can shoot the .38's still.
Click to expand...

CFE Pistol for short barrel revolver? That's #44 on the burn rate chart. Why did you switch from CFE Pistol to 2400?
 
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