.38 Super Police/ .38 HV data needed

[Setzer77]

Hello there. I've got an old .38/44 heavy duty, and while .38 Nyclads are a good defense round, I was looking for something that the gun was designed for. I've read that 12 grains of #2400 makes a 170 gr bullet run at 1300 fps, and I've also read 13.5 grains makes a similar weight bullet move 1450. Those are nice loads, but I don't trust data just thrown out there, as all the articles I've read have some variation in numbers, and I don't wish my gun to become a grenade. Does any have such a gun and would be willing to share load data for a 158 LSWC running 1100-1200 fps? I'd be very interested in cooking up some nice loads for this pistol, as it's kind of my backpack/woods gun. I need bullets capable of taking down most things that threaten, but not something intolerable to shoot.

Thanks.

 

[wcwhitey]

This should be a good topic. There was a discussion here a little while ago about the true ballistics of the 38/44. Some great information was thrown around. I also would be interested in seeing some loading data to reproduce. I in the mean time would suggest going to the Buffalo Bore website. He has a few interesting rounds in .38 special of both standard and +P that out perform most others while maintaining reasonable pressures. Mr. Sundles posts here from time to time and seems to have quite a handle on making the .38 perform while keeping the pressures down. LOL BIll

 

[Setzer77]

Well, the loads I mentioned were supposedly "Keith loads", but I also read that the original bullet design called for a 158 running 1100s range. The 1100s range is really what I'm looking for, something between .38 +p and .357 mag. Such a round should be both comfortable to shoot, and effective at most things a person would need a .38 for.

 

[Gordon]

The Keith 173 grain bullet is from Lyman Mold 358429, in the day a very popular mold. The standard heavy charge was 5.5 grains of Unique, which is a 20,000psi load(+P) and was used in newer S&W K frames ,N frames also Colt SAA, New Service and Official police guns with not many problems with careful assembly. This load produces a little over 1000fps from a 6" barrel and is therefore just subsonic and very accurate, with exceptional penetration.
The 'blue pill whistler ' load back in the day, which was probably closer to 21,000 psi was a 150-158 grain hollowpoint , basically the 173 Keith load with a hollow point cavity, over 12 grains of 2400. This load touches 1200fps in 7.5" or longer barrels and a solid 1150 in 6" barrels. It was usually with a gas check and expanded or fragmented real well.
Don't go over 5.5 grains unique it ain't worth it!
Don't go over 12 grains of 2400 it isn't worth it, remember .357 loads start with 13 grains of 2400!

 

[Setzer77]

My barrel is 4", but .357 oughtn't be an issue, we're talking about an N frame here...I mean ream out the chambers so .357 fits, and it's like a mod 27. But, 12 grains of 2400 sounds like a winner. Thanks for the info.

 

[Gordon]

Non .357 cylinders aren't heat treated the same, so NO 'reaming out' that fine old gun.You should get close to 1100fps in a 4" with a 158 grain lead hollow point over 12 grains of 2400- with a STRONG crimp.

 

[Setzer77]

C'mon, like I'm going to ream out the cylinder on my favorite gun? I'm not even going to have it reblued, I just need a new ejector rod (most likely), mine's a little bent (previous owner, I know better).