Anyone have data for .38+P loads out of a carbine?

[priv8ter]

It's a known fact from people with real-world data, that .357 Magnum turns into a whol new animal out of a carbine length barrel. From number I have seen, it picks up an extra 600-800 FPS, depending on bullet weight and powder used.

I'm wondering if .38+P might pick up a similar advantage out of a carbine. It's nothing I would ever use for hunting deer, but for use against 2 or 4-legged varmints... I mean, it would be a cost effective alternative to keep lots of in stock.

Just wondering if anyone has any chrono data.

greg

 

[mainmech48]

While it isn't technically a .38 Spl +P, my standard plinking/general use handload for .357 is quite comparable. Might give you some idea, anyway.

I use either 5.5 gr. WW231 or 6.0 gr. Unique (depending upon what's on hand) in .357 cases, 158 gr. cast SWC (commercial), and standard SP primer.

Velocity from 16" Rossi 92 at 10' from muzzle averages 1029 f/s for 10 rds.
Accuracy using Lyman receiver sight from bench and sandbag averages 3/4" at 50 yds for five rd. group. Might do better with some load development for this specific carbine, but why bother? It works just fine for its purposes.

Same load averages 882 f/s from a 4" DW M15-2. Groups average a bit over 4X as large at the same distance, but that's mostly my doing. Bifocals make it hard to get a consistently clear sight picture.

Recoil and report are quite mild in both, IMO, and it's cheap to load in enough quantity to meet my modest needs.

Hope this is of some help to you.

 

[priv8ter]

Thanks!

Yes, it does help.

Here is why I'm interested. When talking about using these rounds out of a 4" or 6" pistol barrel people say:

.38 can get the job done.

.38 +P is 'good'

.357 Magnum is more better good.

So I am just wondering, if I have a .357 Carbine in my home defence plans, can I get the 'more better good' benefits of a .357 load, in the 'easy on the wallet, take up less space in the safe, load one more in the gun' .38 package.

And from your numbers, it does look like there are some advantages.

Once I buy a house and get a reloading setup of my own, I can go about making a custom load, like you were talking about.

greg

 

[mainmech48]

You're welcome!

Bear in mind that my figures are for very mild reloads using relatively "quick" powders. They were worked-up to be plinking and practice loads for use primarily in revolvers.

FWIW, jacketed bullets and "slower" burning powders show much greater velocity difference between the two platforms. For home defense I'd personally stick with whatever 125 gr. JHP factory load worked best in your carbine.

This is the loading that established a reputation for "lightning bolt" stops in LE use back when .357 revolvers were ubiquitous in police holsters. Even more devastating from a carbine, and avoids potential extraneous liability issues in the event of criminal/civil litigation should you ever have to use your weapon "socially".