38 Special - Power Pistol 125gr JHP

[mmorg6144]

Any favorite recipes for PP in 38 special (not +P)? Using Win 125gr JHP.

Based on Lee, Hornady, Alliant and some web browsing, I'm going to start with 5.4gr PP @ 1.44 Min OAL and work up to 6.0gr on the high end.

Let me know if you've played with this combo of components or see any flaw in my plan.

Appreciate the feedback in advance!

 

[CZ9shooter]

Looks good to me.

I've gone up to 6.6 grains with 125 gr. XTPs. But this is getting into +P territory according to my books. 910 fps in a Jframe.

6.2 grains is the lowest that I have recorded. 845 fps.

 

[mmorg6144]

Thanks, CZ. Shooting out of a new GP100 Match Champion, so curious to see how it handles some of the hotter +P and .357mag loads.

 

[rcmodel]

You are wasting expensive XTP JHP bullets loading them to Standard pressure .38 Special velocity.

They will be accurate, but they won't expand much, if any.

rc

 

[ljnowell]

You are wasting expensive XTP JHP bullets loading them to Standard pressure .38 Special velocity.

They will be accurate, but they won't expand much, if any.

rc

I've never seen great expansion from XTPs in 38 or 45 ACP. There are better choices in those chamberings, IMO.


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[Steve C]

The only Power Pistol .38 spl load using 125gr JHP's I have ran over the chronograph are shown below. Worked OK in the rifle but not my favorite for handgun.

I don't care much for Power Pistol in the .38 spl. Its a great powder for the high pressure 9mm's and other cartridges with similar pressure levels but I find its leaves carbon on the outside of .38 spl and .45 acp cases even when running in +P loads. I prefer a 6.0gr load of Unique for +P using 125gr JHP's in the .38 spl.

 

[antiquus]

PP not surprisingly is a lot like Unique. Neither like low pressure and get sooty so I'm with SteveC on this. It goes bang fine, and the soot is easy to remove but meh. Big case like this PP is at it's best pushing +P pressures.

I just read his whole post carefully, and he's suggesting 6 grains of Unique which I'm laughing as I type this, is exactly the same load I use, chronograph it at the same level out if a Model 64 using Berry's 125gr HPs. But that is solidly +P level.

 

[Jim Watson]

Since the OP is shooting a Magnum frame Ruger, I don't see much reason to sneak up on full .38 loads from black powder equivalents.

 

[Galil5.56]

I liked 6.5 gr PP, WW SPP, and 125 gr XTP's. Get a nice low sd 969 FPS from my 3" M60, and lot of PP. Nice firm roll crimp doesn't hurt. Probably right on the heels of +P per Alliant data, but in a .357 mag revolver, no concern at least as pressures are concerned. PP sure does like to go boom and flash however, some like it, others don't.

Added bonus is if you own a 9mm that has an accommodating groove diameter and chamber, these 125 grain XTP bullets can be very accurate, and dual use (especially if they feed well). Again, PP works extremely well for this application, per my experience. Good luck.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

My .38 +P load is 7.0 of Power Pistol and a 125 gr Winchester JHP, crimped into the crimp groove. From my 4" Model 66, averages 1030 fps.

Hornady allows 7.1 gr, Speer only 6.8 gr.
I don't own any .38's, just .357's so no problems for me. Maybe no as good for your guns...