in my book the 38 Special is alive and well

No, 38 Special is not dead.

I load and shoot lots of 38 Special wadcutter ammunition in my 38 Special revolvers. (I load a hot 38 Special load in 357 Mag cases for my 357 Mag revolvers).

I have 2” and 4” Model 15, 6” and 8-3/8” Model 14, and a variety of 2” J-frames (Models 36, 437, 60, 442, and 642) for shooting the 38 Special ammunition.). .
 
35 Whelen said:
... The bullet in the photo is a home-cast 160-ish gr. SWC. Loaded over 5.5 grs. of Unique it averages just shy of 1000 fps out of any of my 4" Model 10's and my 4" Model 15.
...
35W
Click to expand...

Well, Alliant has a maximum of 5.2 grains of Unique for a 158 grain SWC and with a 6" barrel, they report 919 fps. So your load is not within the definition of 38 Special +P. It is over pressure. It could be considered a 38/44, or a 357 in a short case.

Besides, I could load the same bullet over Titegroup or Clays in a 357 Magnum, get the same exact velocity and have less muzzle pressure, blast, and noise.
 
westernrover said:
Well, Alliant has a maximum of 5.2 grains of Unique for a 158 grain SWC and with a 6" barrel, they report 919 fps. So your load is not within the definition of 38 Special +P. It is over pressure. It could be considered a 38/44, or a 357 in a short case.

Besides, I could load the same bullet over Titegroup or Clays in a 357 Magnum, get the same exact velocity and have less muzzle pressure, blast, and noise.
Click to expand...

I'm not using the same bullet as Alliant did, so pressures will be different. Mine is cast from a 358429 mold and the data is from Handloader #243 where they state- Data is safe in any .38 S&W Special revolver that is recommended for +P loads and is in good mechanical condition. And since the bullet they use weighs 173 grs. vs. mine @ ~160 grs., pressures of my load would lower.

If you want to carry a heavier .357 used to shoot .38 Special +P loads, by all means do so!

35W
 
westernrover said:
Well, Alliant has a maximum of 5.2 grains of Unique for a 158 grain SWC and with a 6" barrel, they report 919 fps. So your load is not within the definition of 38 Special +P. It is over pressure. It could be considered a 38/44, or a 357 in a short case.

Besides, I could load the same bullet over Titegroup or Clays in a 357 Magnum, get the same exact velocity and have less muzzle pressure, blast, and noise.
Click to expand...


Different lots of powder have minor variances that cause changes in the amount of powder used. Most folk ignore these as they are minor. Other, experienced members, know how to work up a load that is right for their revolver and for the type of shooting they do. I like full power wadcutter loads, 150 grain full wadcutter at 850-900 fps. Been told it is way over pressure but the same charge under a 160 grain bullet is okay.

Handloading is as much a science as it is an art. You need to be accomplished in both.

Kevin
 
None of your story changes the fact that I can load to an even higher pressure with a faster powder and get better performance in every respect -- less recoil, less muzzle blast, less noise, less flash, and the same velocity and impact on target.
 
westernrover said:
None of your story changes the fact that I can load to an even higher pressure with a faster powder and get better performance in every respect -- less recoil, less muzzle blast, less noise, less flash, and the same velocity and impact on target.
Click to expand...

You have a very... interesting... perspective on what constitutes performance.
You should definitely stick with your .357.

35W
 
Nothing wrong with the 38 Special. Wide range of handguns made for the round that cover a multitude of uses from self defense, to hunting to target shooting. Most are revolvers but there are three automatics that are iconic tack drivers…the model 52 Smith & Wesson and the 1911 Colt Gold Cup and 1911 Clark guns.

This round is accurate and mild mannered in most cases. IMO I believe that more people shoot this round more accurately in defensive guns than they do with heavier calibers. Truth be told, I’ll bet more 38 Special ammo gets shot in 357 guns than heavier 357 loads. 38 Special is less expensive and much more pleasant to shoot. Using full power 357 loads in my Ruger SP101 with factory grips is just plain uncomfortable. I had a Smith & Wesson 340 that weighed less than 12 ounces. I felt duty bound to fire a cylinder full of heavy 357 magnum 158 grain loads in it. Once was enough unless you enjoy the equivalent of having someone smack the palm of your hand with a two pound hammer just for fun. I shoot all of my small frame 357s with 38 Special rounds. All things considered, I think the 38 Special is going to be with us for sometime to come. Just my .02 cents.
 
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35 Whelen said:
You have a very... interesting... perspective on what constitutes performance.
You should definitely stick with your .357.

35W
Click to expand...

If this guy wants to shoot magnum grade rounds through his personal .38 K frames and report on a any wear in the sake of science, then by all means let him do so and we'll see the results. I'm curious as well.
 
IMG_0237.jpeg I LOVE 38 special. I have tried a few types of handguns—started with Glocks, CZ, 1911s, then gravitated to and now mainly shoot and carry revolvers. Not to be too obvious, but 38 special to me is what 9 mm is for semis. It is an accurate, effective cartridge that can reliably be used to defend oneself and plink as well. A wonderful all purpose caliber. Throw .357 in the mix and you can effectively hunt game as well. I only started reloading during the pandemic to keep me sane with the crazy prices and just plain lack of manufacturer ammo and I am very glad I did. That alone has been rewarding for me. So far I stick with reloading mid to upper mid range 158 grain loads and instead of constantly on the lookout for “the next gun”, I am *trying* to stick with the revolvers I have and get to be the best revolver shooter I can be. I have some from several of the major brands, but decided I would I would just focus on my 4 inch GP100–carry it daily IWB and only shoot with it as well. I’m not what I’d consider a natural good shot, but with regular practice, I’m getting better. I’ve shot a propane tank through and through, metal conduit pipe through and through in my “farting around fun shooting time” and am satisfied I could defend myself with a warm 38 special load.
 
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To be honest, my Blackhawk seems much more accurate with 38 +P loads from 357 cases or minimum charge 357 Mag loads with nonmagnum powders like CFE Pistol and W231. It’s also very accurate with magnum loads but that’s beside the point of this thread.

I say all that to say I have a lot of 38 brass I don’t use. I couldn’t even get HBWC to shoot out of a 38 Special case. I feel like I need a dedicated 38 Special revolver. That would fill the gap for a double action that wouldn’t be too punishing or expensive to shoot. My only current revolvers are single action. Does anyone make a 4” barreled double action revolver with adjustable sights?
 
"Does anyone make a 4” barreled double action revolver with adjustable sights?"

Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Colt, and Taurus for sure. Maybe some models of Charter Arms? Someone still imports the European Windicator. There are plenty out there.
 
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