.38 Special – Power Pistol – 148 Gr Polycoated RN

[Ej3]

I will start loading 38 Special as soon as my dies and bullets come in, using Power Pistol. The bullets will be 148 Gr RN Polycoated RN bullets from Eggleston Munitions. They will be used for training and target practice with snub nose revolvers.

Using Power Pistol, the Hornady 9th Ed. manual shows the following for 158 Gr LRN, which is based on a 4” test barrel:

4.0 Gr – 650 FPS
4.3 Gr – 700 FPS
4.6 Gr – 750 FPS
4.9 Gr – 800 FPS
5.2 Gr – 850 FPS (Max)

I think I will start at 3.5 Gr and work up from there. Consider this will be strictly for snub nose revolver, is there a target FPS that I should try to achieve?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Walkalong]

Start at 4.0.

Whatever velocity shoots the best for target..

Whatever recoil level you think will be good training..

 

[Galil5.56]

This is simply for illustrative purposes only, and is for 148 grain lead bullets:

5.5 grains Power Pistol 148 Hornady BBWC seated 1.292” CCI 500 SPP. Avg velocity was 911 fps, with a very small range of fps over the string.

Your title says 148, but your data listed is for 158, so I'm thinking you are extrapolating data, or perhaps you meant 158. If so, I have never loaded 158 grain bullets at such low charge weights, and if you do one day decide to push things a bit more, PP is absolute magic. Very accurate, with a serious wallop. Using Max Alliant data my +P rated 3" M60 avg's almost 930 fps, with great accuracy.

Given the data you present, and the propellant, I would stoke the load to say 4.3-4.5 grains. Good luck!

 

[HB]

As always, start low and work your way up. I would load 5 in each step then go from there. You might find that the min loads are barely making out the barrel (literally, I get squibs with HP38 and plated bullets at min loading) and the top end may push the threshold for pain in a light snub.

A single stage press is not a big deal for revolvers rounds. Especially with a snub when most practice sessions will last less than 50 rounds.

HB

 

[Ej3]

Your title says 148, but your data listed is for 158, so I'm thinking you are extrapolating data, or perhaps you meant 158.

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I am extrapolating data. I am getting 148 Gr. Polycoated RN bullets, and the Hornady manual does not list Power Pistol for the 148 Gr HBWC bullet. So I was thinking using the starting point for the 158 Gr. LRN (4.0 Gr for 650 FPS), but adjusted down.

I will start at 4.0 Gr and load 5 at a time, then check with a chronograph. I am most interested in manageable recoil.

 

[Walkalong]

I am most interested in manageable recoil

Have a faster powder?

 

[Ej3]

Have a faster powder?

No, but I am not opposed to getting one better suited. I just have plenty of Power Pistol on hand and figured I would use it for the 38 Special loads.

Suggestions are appreciated.

 

[LiveLife]

Walkalong already gave you a good suggestion of using a faster powder. I will second his suggestion of using a faster burning powder for "most interested in manageable recoil" loads like W231/HP-38.

Just because you have several sledge hammers doesn't make sense to use them to drive small nails. Can you do it? Sure. Should you do it? Not really. Smaller hammers would be much better tools instead.

I would prefer to use Power Pistol for full power loads.

 

[Walkalong]

Suggestions

WST, W-231, AA #2, Bullseye, Red Dot, American Select, Competition,...

 

[.308 Norma]

Suggestions are appreciated.

I myself, am fond of Unique for an all-around 38 Special powder.
Not to drift off topic, but I find it strange that Eggleston Munitions themselves doesn't list load data for their own 148 Gr. Polycoated RN bullets on their website. They do for their 158 Gr. bullets, but not for the 148 Gr. bullets you're trying to work with.

 

[ATLDave]

To continue Walkalong's list... ZIP, VV N310, VV N320, titegroup....

 

[Walkalong]

To continue Walkalong's list... ZIP, VV N310, VV N320, titegroup....

Good ones.

 

[thomas15]

I'm in agreement with those who recommend a faster powder. I do a lot of revo shooting but with L and/or N frames but I shoot soft loads. I was working on a load for my daughter to use in her J frame and although I haven't settled on a load but It's gonna be a light JHP with a around 3g or less of Clays or TG. Even with larger aftermarket grips on an airweight J frame for practice/target you can get beat up good with even a standard 38 load. So I guess it depends on how many bullets you send down range at a typical trip to the range. If it's 10 or 20 rounds then go for the heavy duty 158g bullet with plenty of power pistol but 2 or 3 hundred rounds is going to be a different story.

(literally, I get squibs with HP38 and plated bullets at min loading) and the top end may push the threshold for pain in a light snub.

I guess anything is possible but I would like to see this. I have run 125g HAPs with 2.0g HP-38 in a 929 (6.5" barrel) and hit targets 50 feet away no problem just not as accurate as I would like. I have used roughly 3g HS-6 (which is similar to PP) in a snubbie with a 158g and though it fairly stiff and not especially soft shooting. I know there are a lot of fans of PP out there, different strokes for different folks but in my opinion too much bang and too much flash. There are better choices.

 

[Walkalong]

You might find that the min loads are barely making out the barrel (literally, I get squibs with HP38 and plated bullets at min loading)

If you are using minimum lead data for plated that is not surprising.

 

[Ej3]

Thanks for the recommendstions. My local Sportsman Warehouse was out of HP-38, W231 & Bullseye. So I picked up a pound of Titegroup and AA #2.

 

[Toprudder]

If you are extrapolating from data for a heavier bullet, don't drop the start charge. Lighter bullets typically take more powder. (Wad cutters are an exception, because they take up more case volume due to being seated deeper). Since you are loading a round nose 148gn bullet, I agree with @Walkalong to start at 4.0. But, my experience with Power Pistol is that it won't be happy (consistent velocity) unless it is close to max charge in 38spl.

Titegroup works well in 38spl, just be aware it is possible to double or even triple charge a case and not catch it. Pay particular attention when dropping powder.

 

[Ej3]

Titegroup works well in 38spl ...

Many thanks again for the responses. 2.9 to 3.0 Gr of Titegroup with the 148 Gr polycoated RN bullets worked great! Averaged about 600 FPS out of a 2" barrel. Recoil was nothing compared to the 158 Gr SWC I have from Georgia Arms, which measured 690 FPS.

 

[Walkalong]

Excellent! And nice looking reloads.