38SPL+P loads for practice: getting back on track
OK, after some data analysis, here's some practice loads:
All these loads were shot using Starline '38 Special' brass. Although not headstamped for +P, Starline notes it is identical to Starline brass so marked.
Ranier 140-grRNFP-P, 4.6 gr of 231, WSP, LOA 1.445.
Note that this is NOT a cannelured bullet. I put a fairly strong roll crimp on my loads, and I am shooting this up.
This load is 'fairly stiff' and groups very well out of my 640--1.25" groups at 10 yards. It was developed off the Hodgdon data for 231 and 135 LRNFP bullet--from a 7.7" barrel, they show 4.7 gr. max and a CUP of 17000, 1024 FPS. Nominal cost: 13 cents per round.
Speer GDJHP-SB135, 6.6 gr of AA#5, WSP, LOA 1.450.
This load performs identically to the Ranier 140 / 4.6 231 load listed above in my 640: Recoil feels 'identical,' shoots to same POA and with groups of 1.25" or smaller. It comes right off the Speer Data Sheet for 38 Special +P with this bullet. At 6.6 gr from a 6" barrel, they show a velocity of 1000 FPS, and "...fit within the 20,000 psi pressure limit established for 38 Special +P." Nominal cost: 23 cents per round.
My chronograph manual will be arriving in the next few days, so I will get these two loads chronographed and this post updated this week.
Note that I have used up those Ranier 140gr bullets and will be replacing them with a hard cast 140 gr. bullet from Chey Cast for further load development.
I have shot the GDJHB-SB135 / 6.6 (and 6.8) gr. from the M&P 340, and it is entirely livable. I now have some of the Speer 135-gr. / 38 SPL+P on hand and will be testing that as well.
357 shooters: 'lite' loadings--
A promising load for practice appears to be about 5.2 gr. of 231 under that Ranier 140bullet; that is a 'max load' off the Hodgdon data, showing a CUP of 19,400 at 1027 FPS from that same 10" (test?) barrel.
Another promising load is 5.0-5.2 gr. of titegroup under the Ranier 140. That shows a CUP of 24,500 and a velocity of 1186 FPS from the 10" test barrel. This one had noticably more snap in the 640, but was not objectionable.
Hopefully this post will get this thread back on track. Once the chrono data is available, I'll add to my own 38/357-2" barrel thread that's been awaiting chrono info.
Jim H.