Best Load +P Load for 5" and 6" .38 Specials?

[.455_Hunter]

It is generally acknowledged that the .38 Special Remington 158 gr. LSWC-HP +P round is loaded slightly hotter and with a softer/more expansive bullet than the Winchester equivalent. As shown on "www.hipowersandhandguns.com", the Remington load generally exhibits outstanding expansion from a 4" barrel. My question is given the higher velocities obtained with 5" and 6" revolvers, would it better to use the Winchester load and avoid possible overexpansion/underpenetration with the Remington load?

Your thoughts please.

Thanks,

Hunter

 

[sheepdog]

...I believe the extra barrel length would give you extra speed enough to make it penetrate a bit more...I value the expansion enough to stick with the softer Remington...
...though it's my choice in all .38s, it may very well not be the best performer in 4" barrels and longer...don't know...don't shoot them...

 

[Nicodemus38]

heres how you decide on this load for you 4+ inch barrel. this does apply to all loads.

-does it hit to point of aim? if not, can you adjust your sigths to make it work at your range?

-expansion will be like any other hollow point lead bullet. it hits target, expands while penetrating into target. at somepoint the structural failure (expansion) will go past critical resulting in the expanding section seperating from the base of the bullet,resulting in a wide petal pinwheeling around in fluid while the base will act as a low weight wadcutter and punch through the outher side todaylight unless it hits solid material.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you have Remington ammo I wouldn't go out and try to find Winchester ammo for the longer barrel. If you can find some of the Federal FBI Load it's worth buying too, especially for longer barrel revolvers.

 

[Stainz]

When I chrono-ed that Remington R38S12 +P 158gr LHPSWC load, I didn't have a 4" .38/.357, so I got what I could. I did record the following for 5/6 shot groups with the range's chrono:

1.88" 642 837 fps
2" 10 860 fps
3" 65 912 fps
5" 686+ h-l 990 fps
6" 66 995 fps

It seemed to run out of poop in a 5"-6" barrel, so I doubt it would be a problem from regular use in such a length firearm. My local shop has it back in stock for ~$34/50 - still enough more than the Georgia Arms reloads in +P 158gr LSWC - which are actually HPs - to make the GA Arms loads viable for practice. They chrono the same from the 642 & 10, but their harder alloy makes the softer Remi's a likely better performer from the snubbies.

Stainz

 

[Ed Harris]

My experience is that the Remington R38S12 is optimized for revolvers having barrels of 3 inches or less , and expands more easily than the Winchester X39SPD or the Federal 38G, which seem to require a 4 inch barrel for full expansion. The Federal 38G was discontinued a few years ago, but you may still find some in dealer stocks.

For use in barrels longer than 4 inches, to ensure maximum penetration and weight retention I would absolutely favor the Winchester load. I use it in rifles chambered for the .38 Special with good effect on varmints and small deer. The bullet expands well to .60 cal. and holds together with virtually no weight loss. Typical chronographed velocities of the X38SPD from revolvers with cylinder gap at mean assembly tolerance of 0.006" is about 830 f.p.s. from a 2" (producing marginal expansion from .40-.45 in water jugs), 880 from a 4 inch (producing normal expansion from .52-.56 cal. in water jugs), 920 from a 6 inch revolver (producing full expansion of .54-.58 in water jugs), and you get 1120 from an 18 inch Marlin carbine and 1200 from a longer 24 inch rifle (with the bullet flattening out to .60+ without fragmenting).

 

[sw282]

I believe any load will benefit from a longer barrel to a certian point. I have read over the years in loading manuals this very subject where even target loads of Bullseye benefited greatly in velocity out to 24 inches

 

[sheepdog]

Thanks, guys!!!

....been using the Rem for years because of the softness...just bought 1000 of the Ga. Arms...good to know they're up to snuff for realistic practice...and that the speed picks up on longer barrels...what do you mean by "Poops out" if it's going faster??? Looks like the Rem is a tad faster than the Winch, too...gotta get me a Carbine...that'd be fun....

 

[Ed Harris]

I use alot of standard pressure and target velocity .38 Special loads in rifles for low noise plinkling without disturbing the neighbors and for pest control. Ordinary factory-loaded 148-gr. HBWC target loads seem "almost silent" (leak pressure noise levels measured at 80dB at 1 meter from the muzzle, similar to .22 LR Standard Velocity from a rifle ) in a 24 inch or longer barrel, but give about 900 f.p.s. approximating .38 Special +P revolver velocity and energy with a large flat point which gives good results on small game and garden varmints up to deer. Ordinary 158-gr. lead non +P factory lead loads or handloads with 3.5 grs. of Bullseye and a similar cast bullet give about 950-980 f.p.s. and are only slightly louder (85dB at 1 meter, similar to .22 LR High Velocity in a rifle).