Hot .38 Special

TTv2 said:

What did you expect, that it would feel like a .38? You probably were just a hair over 700 fps and that's not fast enough to do anything with a hollow point. I'm in the same boat with the Judge not giving me enough velocity, so I've been wanting to get some of the 157gr Inceptor ARX bullets to reload as they're not dependent on velocity.

Here's load data link.

https://www.inceptorammo.com/wp-con...2-157-45-Colt-157-Grains-ARX-UM1-Inceptor.pdf

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Is that Judge 18 ounces ?

TTv2 said:

What did you expect, that it would feel like a .38? You probably were just a hair over 700 fps and that's not fast enough to do anything with a hollow point. I'm in the same boat with the Judge not giving me enough velocity, so I've been wanting to get some of the 157gr Inceptor ARX bullets to reload as they're not dependent on velocity.

Here's load data link.

https://www.inceptorammo.com/wp-con...2-157-45-Colt-157-Grains-ARX-UM1-Inceptor.pdf

Click to expand...

What the heck is a “hollow” “point”

sounds like one of them dum dum bullets

nawww-aww, pardner…

FWC Crreww 600FPS Boyzz
44+44 4Lifeee
vatos locos X3 sureste

Mark_Mark said:

.38 a making a huge comeback! people are tired of the plastic wonder 9’s or already have too many (me).

Let’s have fun shooting again!

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You SAID it!

Good LONG brass, with a sensible rim.

If the Special Siblings were good enough for the ancestors, they’re good enough for….

blasting the crap out of metal targets and TVs!

bluejay75 said:

Starline is tough brass. I have never split a 38 SPC or 357 mag case and I run them pretty hard.

WARNINGS ONLY BELOW. Well in that case…NO SPP OR SRP can take 6 grains of Unique and a 180 cast. The brass can take it but it pierced primers about every 10 shots or so, but only in rifles. This load turned my firing pin into a jagged shard and blew black soot in my face. Sad part this is probably the most accurate load I ever stumbled into. Shoots .3s and almost single holes from my rifles at 100 yards at around 1150 FPS. 2 inches or less offhand at 25 yards.

Over 12.5 of Lil gun will stick a case with a 180 cast bullet but the case will survive.

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Not just tough brass, but a tough ROUND too. I swear you can load 38 starlines forever, if you don’t get too crazy with them

TTv2 said:

What did you expect, that it would feel like a .38? You probably were just a hair over 700 fps and that's not fast enough to do anything with a hollow point. I'm in the same boat with the Judge not giving me enough velocity, so I've been wanting to get some of the 157gr Inceptor ARX bullets to reload as they're not dependent on velocity.

Here's load data link.

https://www.inceptorammo.com/wp-con...2-157-45-Colt-157-Grains-ARX-UM1-Inceptor.pdf

Click to expand...

Man those

TTv2 said:

What did you expect, that it would feel like a .38? You probably were just a hair over 700 fps and that's not fast enough to do anything with a hollow point. I'm in the same boat with the Judge not giving me enough velocity, so I've been wanting to get some of the 157gr Inceptor ARX bullets to reload as they're not dependent on velocity.

Here's load data link.

https://www.inceptorammo.com/wp-con...2-157-45-Colt-157-Grains-ARX-UM1-Inceptor.pdf

Click to expand...

Yeah those there are some sobering numbers.

I’m like Dang! 1050 is cooking coming out of a 45 colt! Then I realized we’re talking 157g

everything about small revolver practice is sobering, pretty much

more I shoot them, the soberer I remain

Little late to the party, Yet I’ll Join in.

I usually just shoot about 3.5grs under a 158 cast in my fixed site 60’s era model 10 Smith. Very very accurate. Tho for a house gun, the 125gr 38spl +P Buffalo Bore is in the Speed Loaders. I believe it’s stated 1,250 Fps for a 4”. That’s a few hundred off a 357. With a Jacketed HP it should dump energy well, Open and most likely fragment as that particular Bullet is Soft.
It was My First S&W. Normally I don’t talk money and Guns… Yet I should inform for the kicks of it, The Gun Cost was $100 from my Local shop I used to work at. Added Tyler T and trigger boot later. Amazily accurate. Best Benny Frank I’ve ever spent.

Edit- That’s 3.5 “Bullseye” (Use Books)

Lnf Crzr said:

Edit- That’s 3.5 “Bullseye” (Use Books)

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I've found 3.5 grains with a 158 is a good load with most of the fast burning powders.
Of course I can't shoot good enough to truly say what the most accurate is.

My wife has one of those Model 10s. She wanted pachmyer grips to match my 65.

Lnf Crzr said:

Edit- That’s 3.5 “Bullseye” (Use Books)

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That's my plinking load, actually. Shoots good out of my rifle and pistols, with very little recoil. Plenty enough thump to down any small varmints that might stray into the yard, too. Do you use a SWC or RN cast bullet? My preference is for the SWC, but really can't tell much difference in the accuracy of either one.

Mac

Ya The 3.5 Bullseye works well- mild and excellent accuracy.
Pacs are nice for shooting- prefer the wood for the looks.
I have a Heavy Barrel- Would be great to find a pencil barrel….

Yet that’s like saying I Have a Beautiful Blonde- I’d Like to find a Beautiful Brunette to go with.

IF you have a .357 (I do) and want "HOT" loads, shoot .357.
.38s are for fun, plinking, target, practice.

IF you have a .38 and want "HOT" loads, consider getting a .357. There are some .38s capable of +P or +P+, but why abuse a quality piece or risk destroying it?

I am in search of an old Colt Police or similar in .38. It will shoot .38 target loads only. It is not a hot rod and will not be driven like one.

But, that is me.

bluejay75 said:

Starline is tough brass. I have never split a 38 SPC or 357 mag case and I run them pretty hard.

WARNINGS ONLY BELOW. Well in that case…NO SPP OR SRP can take 6 grains of Unique and a 180 cast. The brass can take it but it pierced primers about every 10 shots or so, but only in rifles. This load turned my firing pin into a jagged shard and blew black soot in my face. Sad part this is probably the most accurate load I ever stumbled into. Shoots .3s and almost single holes from my rifles at 100 yards at around 1150 FPS. 2 inches or less offhand at 25 yards.

Over 12.5 of Lil gun will stick a case with a 180 cast bullet but the case will survive.

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Try 11.5gr 2400 and a 180gr rnfp coated bullet in a lever rifle. Accurate as heck and easy on rifle and shooter.

Mark_Mark said:

I’ll black powder a .38 and make it dirty

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You probably will have a lot of fun doing it, too. I know I did. What you'll not like is taking your guns to pieces to clean them every. single. time. you shoot them. I didn't. Anymore I save the BP for the BP guns and just have fun with the 38/357's.

Mac

.45Coltguy said:

Try 11.5gr 2400 and a 180gr rnfp coated bullet in a lever rifle. Accurate as heck and easy on rifle and shooter.

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I shot a 180xtp 357mag with the 2400 max charge out of my Marlin and J frame 3”…. Was Sweeeeet shooting. Tho only a cylinder full of that max charge in the 60-10.
Excellent accuracy with the Marlin, great trajectory and a great deer Round in my opinion. Thought it was a tough bullet and should Bust up a shoulder blade if* needed.
2400?- Ya, That’s the stuff !

Yes,They are very peaceful… When mounted on the Wall.

2400 is a great powder… just can’t hardly find it right now. I’ve been using IMR 4227 as an alternative, and I like it just as good. It’s dirty from a revolver, but sweet shooting from a rifle.

Lnf Crzr said:

Yes,They are very peaceful… When mounted on the Wall.

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I like those little deer too. Especially with a baked potato!

Mark_Mark said:

I have to admit, I’ve eaten about every creature in on earth and in the ocean. But never had common white tail deer.

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Ohh, you should try elk sometime. Friggin' great.

Other year the Mrs made Shepherds pie- with Veal,Venison and Elk

Oh,And Yes… It was Very much Good

pairof44sp said:

Is that Judge 18 ounces ?

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30oz

pairof44sp said:

Yeah those there are some sobering numbers.

I’m like Dang! 1050 is cooking coming out of a 45 colt! Then I realized we’re talking 157g

everything about small revolver practice is sobering, pretty much

more I shoot them, the soberer I remain

Click to expand...

Snub revolvers are very polarizing as on one hand you have a dead nuts reliable platform, but at the cost of low velocity with non magnums. This is why I'm a proponent of the .32 Mag in a snub because it has the potential to expand, penetrate enough, and have less recoil and hold more than what .38 does. If only we had more companies making more defensive ammo for the .32 Mag besides just Hornady and Buffalo Bore.

I own a Smith and Wesson Outdoorsman that was built on the N frame before the advent of the .357 Magnum to handle hot .38 Special loads designated the .38-44. Here is a chart of loads that replicate the original loads. As you can see, they are quite stout and only safe in all steel revolvers mentioned. You can use this as a quide to effectively load down by 3-4 grains to get a plus P load. My experience is that 12 grains of 2400 under a 158 grain SWC is both powerful and accurate in my gun.

Catalog spec on .38-44 HV 158 gr was around 1100 fps, those loads are considerably stouter, up in the Keith and Skelton overload range.

12 grains of 2400 gives you exactly 1100 fps out of my 6.5 inch barrel. Elmer Keith used 14 grains of 2400 over his 170 grain SWCs. I would never go there even with my Outdoorsman!

Keith - So often many hold his name and what he did to Levels of Sainthood. He blew up many guns- took pressures to the limit of danger. I don’t think I’d follow that person to the gun range today as I don’t want metal impacted into my face.
Skeeter or Taffin , A good bit safer… along with few others. Now no need to flame me about my opinion- or try and change it. He and Others… had a tremendous amount of involvement in handguns a long time ago. Yet in my opinion- To many Set old Elmer up next to the Pope. Jack O’Connor or as some called him “270 Jack” Did very well with a Modest smaller caliber, Wrote about it also and Didn’t think Highly of Elmer. He wasn’t someone who was considered different than the average normal guy…. as I believe that is where I am- a average safe Reloader.

MacAR said:

That's my plinking load, actually. Shoots good out of my rifle and pistols, with very little recoil. Plenty enough thump to down any small varmints that might stray into the yard, too. Do you use a SWC or RN cast bullet? My preference is for the SWC, but really can't tell much difference in the accuracy of either one.

Mac

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Round nose Lee mold for the Marlin, and A Few others… I have Some Semi wadcutter nice old Lyman molds for the Hog legs. Just got a 173gr Old Lyman mold… Have some good Mag lead shot to use and I’ll PC them. Highly regarded- yet it will not work in my Marlin most likely- unless Single loaded Most likely. That 173 and a Good amount of Lil Gun would be a real shooter.