Quantcast
  1. Upgrade efforts paused for now. Thanks for your patience. More details in the thread in Tech Support for those who are interested.
    Dismiss Notice

38 chief special what to load it with?

Discussion in 'Handloading and Reloading' started by JD Fla1, Apr 9, 2021.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. JD Fla1

    JD Fla1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2021
    Messages:
    107
    my pocket snubby from the 70's-
    for a healthy self defense load- I need a recommendation on a bullet or two, and powder.
    I have cfe pistol and titegroup on hand
    I keep factory Federal Hi power 125g.+ p in it now and Remington 125. sjhp's
    only shoot this once in a while to keep in touch with it.
     
    GeoDudeFlorida and GBExpat like this.
  2. rkittine

    rkittine Member

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2020
    Messages:
    378
    Location:
    New York
    I keep plain old 158 grain lead .38 Specials in my Model 36 and S&Ws.
     
    eb in oregon, BKS, Demi-human and 8 others like this.
  3. wcwhitey

    wcwhitey Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2006
    Messages:
    2,823
    Take a look around ands see what bullets are available. I don't load with those powders but everyone needs a good .38 158 Grain Lead SWC load. I load mine to standard velocity and pressure and would have no problem pressing them into service if I needed to.
     
    JD Fla1 and Bfh_auto like this.
  4. JD Fla1

    JD Fla1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2021
    Messages:
    107
    I'm game with the 158g. and I can find other powder if need be.
    You feel the the lead bullet will perform better than a jacketed hollow point with a +p load behind it in a 2" J frame.
     
  5. DaveinMiami

    DaveinMiami Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2016
    Messages:
    13
    My snubby load is a 148 grain DEWC with 3.4 grains of Winchester WST. Very accurate even out of a 2 inch barrel at 15 yards and very damaging. This load is ONLY for steel framed snubbies.
     
  6. JD Fla1

    JD Fla1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2021
    Messages:
    107
    Berry's ?

    dinner time - back later - Thanks all...
     
    LightninST likes this.
  7. WestKentucky

    WestKentucky Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2014
    Messages:
    12,625
    Location:
    Middle Tn
    Titegroup should be fine. The Hodgdon site lists a whole bunch of recipes use if titewad err... umm... titegroup as the powder and bullets from 77 to 180 gr. Staying with standard bullet weights your looking at about a 4 gr charge or less so it’s pretty economical too. My preference for 38 plinking loads actually uses a 9mm bullet so there are other options once you get used to loading 38.
    https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/
     
    JD Fla1 likes this.
  8. joneb

    joneb Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2005
    Messages:
    5,636
    Location:
    Oregon
    I load a 148gr LWC and 158gr LSWC for a S&W 36 with a 1 7/8" barrel, and I use Bullseye.
    I would guess with the velocity of 38 spl +p a 158gr JHP in a 2" barrel wouldn't do any better than the 158gr LSWCWN or LSWC.
     
    wcwhitey and JD Fla1 like this.
  9. brewer12345

    brewer12345 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2015
    Messages:
    2,663
    I load Berry's plated DEWCs over 4 grains of HP 38.
     
    BKS and JD Fla1 like this.
  10. Ru4real

    Ru4real Member

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2017
    Messages:
    1,523
    Location:
    Utah
    146g DEWC Hi-Tek coated with either Tightgroup or CFE Pistol. You’ve got the two perfect powders. Go with the DEWC because at 800-900 fps it hits like a hammer.
     
    Demi-human and JD Fla1 like this.
  11. Swampman

    Swampman Old Fart

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2011
    Messages:
    2,482
    Location:
    East Texas
    Back in the 70's I used to load swaged HBWC bullets backwards for snubbies.

    It was a fairly common practice back then. They were the only thing available that'd expand at 2" .38 Special velocities.
     
    cornfused and JD Fla1 like this.
  12. brutus51

    brutus51 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2013
    Messages:
    1,367
    158gr. lead SWC with either Bullseye or WW231 works for me.
     
    webrx and JD Fla1 like this.
  13. JD Fla1

    JD Fla1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2021
    Messages:
    107
    OK - I have received some great feed back here - Now, on to find Berry's DEWC plated in stock o_O checked a few sites and o.o.s.
    I've never loaded a lead bullet before, I've got a bunch of learning to do.

    Both Bullzeye, and 231 along with silhouette are on my radar.
     
  14. Random 8

    Random 8 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2018
    Messages:
    2,640
    Location:
    Central MN
    Demi-human likes this.
  15. Slamfire

    Slamfire Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2006
    Messages:
    12,835
    Location:
    Alabama
    Do not use +P ammunition for practice. You will beat up the cylinder hand and ratchet. Older 38 Specials should be fired only with standard pressure rounds.

    This load, a 158 LRN (or LSWC) with 3.5 grains Bullseye, any case, any primer, has been the most consistent load I have ever used in a 38 Special. It shoots to point of aim in those older 38 Specials, and is accurate in all of my 38 Specials. This is what I recommend, it is a standard pressure 38 Special load

    5gk12p7.jpg

    pxy3AKZ.jpg

    iiaGlMG.jpg

    MoxGoFF.jpg
     
  16. rfwobbly

    rfwobbly Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2008
    Messages:
    5,627
    Location:
    Clarkesville, GA
    I don't believe older Smiths are rated for +P.
     
  17. George P

    George P member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2018
    Messages:
    7,775
    I run 158 LSWC (or the coated version) out of my 38/357 revolvers and have for years.
     
  18. wcwhitey

    wcwhitey Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2006
    Messages:
    2,823
    image.jpg image.jpg
    Maybe or maybe not. Any hollowpoints carried in a 1 7/8” barrel are iffy at best except for a select few. Gold Dot 135 Grain short barrel is one that will work as it was designed for the snubbies. There are good gel test videos on you tube that will show you how iffy some rounds are expansion wise. It’s even harder to recreate these loads. This is why I like a good SWC, flat nose and sharp shoulder. Proven to do more tissue damage than the RNL and will penetrate easily. I also use the Speer LSW-HP. This is a super soft swaged bullet that actually has a chance of expanding at normal velocities, especially if bone is hit.
    I wouldn’t use upper end loads consistently in the model 36. I know they can handle plus p but I have seen many rattle loose given a steady diet. Back in 1990 my department used older Model 36’s to train and qualify recruits on. Load was Federal Nyclad 158 Grain SWC +P (no hollow point yet). Many of those guns did not fair well but they were no longer authorized and were sacrificed for the cause. 640 Centenials were the new gun of the day and was without question +p rated.
     

    Attached Files:

  19. mdi

    mdi Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2007
    Messages:
    5,300
    Location:
    Orygun!
    FWIW; one of my house guns is loaded with cast DEWC (BHN approx. 12) over max charges, not +P, of W231. My chrony records are out in the shop but IIRC I get about 875 fps. I figger my 150 gr., full caliber flat nose bullet will work quite well from my 3" 38 in a home protection situation (but of course that's not the only gun kept handy indoors). Accurate out to 30' or so but I haven't tried it any farther.

    There's only so much you can get out of a 2" barreled 38 Special, and my only other "SD" load for my short barrel snubbies is a 160 gr Lachmiller SWC over Universal. I wouldn't try to push a light JHP hard enough to reach an expansion threshold out of a short barrel 38 Special...
     
    George P likes this.
  20. JD Fla1

    JD Fla1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2021
    Messages:
    107
    Oh, oh.
    I do know this revolver is not meant for a steady diet of + p, but it can handle them, occasionally.
    That is why I mentioned , I shoot it just to keep in touch with it. Early/Mid 70's model Many years ago, I used to load it with cci snake shot, while fishing canal banks here in FLA.
    It's a 3rd tier defense weapon if need be, and a small pocket invader.
    But, I would like it to be at it's best if called upon.
     
  21. gunlaw

    gunlaw Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2009
    Messages:
    1,047
    Another vote for 158g SWC. 4.2g of Bullseye works very well
     
  22. JD Fla1

    JD Fla1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2021
    Messages:
    107
    Votes are adding up, majority wins , right...
    You guys are great!
     
  23. GRIZ22

    GRIZ22 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2006
    Messages:
    6,051
    I've carried factory wadcutters in j frame guns for years and std velocity SWCs for a reload. Easy on you and the gun, sufficient pentration, and the bullet already in an efficient shape.

    If you're loading your own use a HBWC at target velocities. The HBWC is less likely to tumble enabling it to get good penetration.
     
    wcwhitey likes this.
  24. JD Fla1

    JD Fla1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2021
    Messages:
    107
    All these initialed bullett types are frying my brain. So many to gain knowledge of. They are probably simple when you down to it.
    Life and deciscions could be so tuff at times . JFK...
     
    wcwhitey likes this.
  25. LightninST

    LightninST Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2009
    Messages:
    219
    Location:
    FL-WI
    8E618054-8287-4EA6-A9A6-0DA2ADFA6A2E.jpeg
     
    JD Fla1 and Demi-human like this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice