38 spl +P velocity question

[Lovesbeer99]

Whats a good velocity for 38 spl +P with either 110 or 125 semi jacketed hollow points. I'm using W231 or Unique powder and will shoot these from a 2 inch or 4 inch barrel.

Any suggestions?

 

[rcmodel]

Funny you should ask.
I was just reading the Feb issue of Handloader mag this morning, and it has a test of the Ruger LCR.
It also has complete load data for .38 Spl +P loads.

Factory loaded Fed & Rem 125 +P is listed at 945 FPS.
It actually produced 845 & 831 FPS in the LCR.

Handloaded, AA-5, Power Pistol, & Longshot all gave 1,000+ with 125 Speer & Hornady bullets.

Handload data shows a Power Pistol MAX Load giving 1,076 & 1,088 FPS with Speer & Hornady 110 grain bullets.

I'd suggest you rush right out and pick up a copy of the magazine while it is on news stands right now.

Otherwise, Alliant Gold Dot data says MAX with Unique is:
110 = 6.3 = 1,117 FPS.
125 = 6.0 = 1,082 FPS.
Unknown barrel length, but most likely 6".

Reduce 10% for the starting loads and work up.

rc

 

[Lovesbeer99]

What's the consensus on 831 fps - 900 fps with the 125gr bullet? Is this fast enough or considered on the low side of adequit?

 

[AABEN]

What's the consensus on 831 fps - 900 fps with the 125gr bullet? Is this fast enough or considered on the low side of adequit?

Accurate load book 38S +p 125 gr Acc # 2 low 5.0 vel 899 high 5.5 vel 1022
38S +p 125gr Acc #5 low 6.4 vel 810 high 7.1 vel 920

 

[rcmodel]

Probably adequate with the Speer Gold-Dot 135 Short Barrel bullet.

Probably not for best expansion with a lot of other JHP bullets.

Was I gonna get 800 FPS, I'd try to get it with a 158 grain LSWC-HP.

rc

 

[AABEN]

Probably adequate with the Speer Gold-Dot 135 Short Barrel bullet.

Probably not for best expansion with a lot of other JHP bullets.

Was I gonna get 800 FPS, I'd try to get it with a 158 grain LSWC-HP.

rc

You can Acc #5 low 5.6 880 vol high 6.2 1000 vol

 

[rcmodel]

Well, the Accurate web site data I am looking at was shot in a 7 3/4" barrel.

It's not gonna do that in a 2" barrel.

rc

 

[Walkalong]

I have a 125 Gr jacketed .38 Spl load that runs 1050 from a 4" Model 10 HB. It comes from a Speer #13 Manual, is not max, and is not listed as +P. Speer #13 does have a +P section, but my load comes from the standard pressure section.

My Model 10 shoots it to point of aim at 7 yards and it hits practically dead on at 25 to 35 yards as well. Cases fall from the cylinder and primers are nicely rounded.

I have not tried it in a barrel shorter than 4". I guess I should to see what it will do. I have a 2 1/2" 686, and a 1.875" 442 I could try them in.

 

[gamestalker]

I would personally consider 831 fps as on the low side. I load 38 spcl. using HS6 or Longshot and am between 1100-1200 fps range with a 125 gr. JHP. Longshot will get the heavier 158 gr. bullets out there at close to 1100 without having to load a maximum charge.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have tested 158gr LSWC/HP ammo made with HS-6 from a 2" barrel and the AV was 889 fps. I'm sure you can get much higher numbers with 125gr and 110gr bullets.

 

[zeke]

Have 125 grain jhp (rem 38 special GS's) loads to 1050 from 4 inch barrel, although i imagine you can load them a little hotter. After trying 110 and 125 jhps in 1 7/8 barrel, just went to the 158 lswhp or lbt solids at around 800 fps. The snubbie owned is regulated for 158 grainers, and there was a significant poi difference with the lighter bullets.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I'm using Semi JHP, not full jacketed. I don't have a chrony but when it gets a little warmer I'll run some paper tests on them. Like the FBI used to I'll tie 2 phone books and soak them in water and shoot at it from 10 yards.

I've done this a few times and you can clearly see the depth of penetration and expansion as you turn the pages and see the whole get bigger. Sometimes you can even recover the bullet.

The 9mm - went straight threw with no expansion. The .357 put a whole out the back the size of my fist.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm using Semi JHP, not full jacketed.

When it comes to shooting a full jacketed or semi-jacketed bullet there is very little if any difference. In both cases the front of the bullet doesn't not make contact with the barrel so it will not have an effect on the bullet performance.

 

[4895]

SJHP does need 750 fps or more, per Lyman manual, for complete exit from barrel.