38 Special +P loads

[Riomouse911]

How did the +P W231/125 gr load work out on the steel targets?

I often used a coated 148 gr RNL over 3.5 gr Unique in falling plate matches with my 686+ 7-shot. The RN profile made reloads with a speed loader about as easy as possible, and the load had enough oomph to knock 8” plates back and down while keeping recoil to a minimum.

The steel bowling pins are usually a bit tougher to knock over, especially with hits low on the pin body, so I would step my load up to 4.0 to 4.2 Unique to get a more assured knockdown with a low hit.

Stay safe.

 

[AJC1]

If I was trying to maximize opertunity to knock something over, I would want as wide of meplat as possible. If I'm understanding the rules they are checking brass for 38s. If your using a 357 ID be looking at 38-44 loads with some kind of cast wadcuter heavy as possible.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

If I was trying to maximize opertunity to knock something over, I would want as wide of meplat as possible. If I'm understanding the rules they are checking brass for 38s. If your using a 357 ID be looking at 38-44 loads with some kind of cast wadcuter heavy as possible.

.38 Super Police Special. A 200gr RFN moving around 700fps. Hits like a brick through a glass window.

 

[AJC1]

.38 Super Police Special. A 200gr RFN moving around 700fps. Hits like a brick through a glass window.

I'd be trying it if I had ringers or other bounce issues.... when the rules are published, look for every advantage left....

 

[Palladan44]

I would still start low with standard .38 data, and use a chrono to determine where things are at.....
.38 being a low pressured round will never let you know in any way shape or form if things are overpressured. Just the nature of the beast.
I personally use W-231 in 38 special for medium velocity loads and I find that accuracy diminishes if I try to push them faster, just my experience.

 

[wcwhitey]

Sorry, believe it or not I have never loaded a bullet which weighs less than 135gr in a .38 Special. Most of my data is for 158gr bullets.

I trust Lyman and their limit is 5.4gr W231 under a 125gr jacketed bullet. Plated bullets are a little different. I would think since the Lyman manual lists 18,000+ psi for the 5.4gr charge with a jacketed bullet the pressures will be a little higher with the plated bullet but not over 20,000 psi. I personally would not exceed 5.4gr W231.

If you want more velocity and energy without going over the pressure limits you could always go to a slower powder. A powder like HS-6 will add over 100fps thus producing more energy hitting the target.

Edit to replace typo, I trust Lyman, not I tried Lyman. Sorry...

Just wanted to let yall know that Tony AKA ArchAgnelCD has passed after a tough battle with cancer. Tony is my cousin and we shared our love for shooting over many decades. I helped him set up his first reloading station. He was a good man and an avid loader and shooter. He will be missed.

 

[Walkalong]

Very sad to hear.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

My deepest condolences.

 

[barnfrog]

Just wanted to let yall know that Tony AKA ArchAgnelCD has passed after a tough battle with cancer. Tony is my cousin and we shared our love for shooting over many decades. I helped him set up his first reloading station. He was a good man and an avid loader and shooter. He will be missed.

Very sorry to hear that. I hope your memories of him and the times you had together will ease your grief in time. The advice I appreciated most when my father died, and which I pass on when I can, is to speak and think of him often to keep him present in your mind and heart.

 

[Targa]

I am very sorry.

 

[Blue68f100]

Just wanted to let yall know that Tony AKA ArchAgnelCD has passed after a tough battle with cancer. Tony is my cousin and we shared our love for shooting over many decades. I helped him set up his first reloading station. He was a good man and an avid loader and shooter. He will be missed.

Sorry to hear that. My condolences.

 

[Soonerpesek]

He will be missed.

Yes he will, I enjoyed his input here.
Sorry for the loss, take solace that there is no more suffering....
Put a couple in the X-ring for him...............

 

[lordpaxman]

My deepest condolences. May he rest in peace.

 

[N555]

I wish to load 38 Special +P using Winchester 231 powder, a 125 gr copper plated bullet in a 357 magnum S&W 6 inch revolver. Technical support at Hodgdon recommends 5.3 gr of powder. Does anybody out there have experience in loading this caliber with a larger powder charge than 5.3 gr of W-231 powder?
PS...Winchester 231 is identical to Hodgdon HP-38 powder

Yes I have short bbl 357mag guns, w231/hp38 are main stay powders for me and usually stick with 125gr bullets. I went hotter than +p load data but less than the 357mag start load data as I was also loading 38spl for a 357mag gun like you. My 3'' 357 was firing 125gr bullets out of 38 brass about as hard as a full size 9mm fires a 124-125gr bullet no problem. When I was 1gr over the 38spl+p max load using hp38 the brass still extraced easier and cleaner than all but the mildest factory 357mag loads.
The hottest I ever went was within a grain of a 357mag start load for hp38 if I remember correctly I was a half grain away from the 357mag hp38/w231 start load, the blast and recoil started feeling 357mag like, velocity was 357mag like and the spent 38 brass extraction felt like I was bumping out full power 357mag brass when I would first push the extractor.
Definitely don't ever put them in a 38spl chambered gun.

 

[ballman6711]

Definitely don't ever put them in a 38spl chambered gun.

Be sure to mark them well, some day they could come into someone else's possession and get put into a regular 38spcl gun. That would be bad.

chris

 

[AJC1]

Be sure to mark them well, some day they could come into someone else's possession and get put into a regular 38spcl gun. That would be bad.

chris

I mark the container with 357 only and the projected pressure. I have also expended considerable effort informing my young shooter about what we have and to never shoot anyone's gun but ours with our ammo.... the only exception is 22lr because those are factory and the search for the best round is continuous...

 

[N555]

Be sure to mark them well, some day they could come into someone else's possession and get put into a regular 38spcl gun. That would be bad.

chris

Oh I do. My ammo is packed in 38spl boxes with the load data on the box and I only have one 38spl load and they're all hot.

 

[dgod]

My condolences, I lost my Only Little Brother yesterday he was 70, missed 71 by only 5 days. RIP Rick…