38spl snub-nose handloads

M1key said:

I may go with a 3" revolver instead, but this will be a "nightstand" gun for my wife. 125 JHPs with 5.0+grs of Unique may be the ticket.

Click to expand...

mdi said:

The "problem" is exactly what brewer12345 said, snub nose 38 Special expansion.

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.

Click to expand...

IWAC said:

I did that, too, with solid WCs. A significant portion keyholed at 25 yards. I decided not to use them for SD, although getting hit with a sideways keyholing Wadcutter would smart! .

Click to expand...

GeoDudeFlorida said:

but it does not make sense to test self-defense loads at 25yds. If you are shooting a two legged predator at that distance, you are going to end up in legal hot water and using a snubby at that distance for a four legged predator you are probably going to end up missing by a lot. 7yds is defense range so test inside of that range. QUOTE]

Whyever not test/shoot at longer ranges? Who came up with the idea 7 yards is "defense range"? Is that a misinterpretation of the "Tueller Drill"? An inexperienced gun owner may read and believe that misguided and dangerous opinion.
In the worst of all situations, if you were facing an adversary who was even a little competent at longer range, and you had only practiced at 7 yards, your situation would be grim indeed! Lots of people bad mouth the snub-nosed revolver, longer barreled revolvers, or even 9mm autopistols. That is a harmful mindset...They are ALL very capable at longer ranges...If the shooter does his/her part!
Thinking all or even most assaults will take place at 7 yards or less compounds the error! I am no great pistolero but enjoy the fact I have the ability to keep my rounds within the dimensions of a 9 inch pie plate at 25 yards most days, and can do pretty good at 50 or so. Everything a person learns shooting at longer ranges is easily employed at bad-breath distances, too. As always, YMMV.

Click to expand...

ArchAngelCD said:

No, it was Speer #8. The SR4756 was dubbed by many as "The Load". IMO that was actually a .357 Magnum load in .38 Special brass!

If you look at Speer #9 that load was seriously reduced. In the front of #9 there is a statement, the data in this manual supersede previous data. Sorry, I paraphrased. (I think I got that right, I'm working off memory here lol)

Click to expand...

IWAC said:

I think my first manual was Speer #8. Iirc, it had a picture of two guys on a Stagecoach, one driving, the other one aiming a lever action rifle towards the rear. Lotta imagination working there..what was happening...did they get away ??

I tried "The load" with 4756 until I read..probably in Speer #9...that it was erratic. I changed to Unique, and never looked back! BUT...and I may be near to committing Heresy here...The "Skeeter Skelton medium load"...WOW! 158 gr .38 Spl. brass, 13.5 gr. 2400...IS a 357 load in .38 Spl. Brass! It worked for him, and scads of others. I personally don't like it, but it didn't seem to stunt his growth any.

Click to expand...

M1key said:

I used to carry reversed hollow base wadcutters in a Chiefs Special 40 years ago, but never had the "opportunity" to shoot anyone.

Click to expand...