NorthernNeighbor
Member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2020
- Messages
- 1
I'm a newer firearms user who's read a lot without having done a lot, and I'm looking for advice from people who have some experience (read: actually know what they're doing) on a load I'd like to work up to be useable in both a carbine and an older revolver. I should also mention I'm up in Canada, so some of the components available in the states aren't easy to find up here, and we have a few home grown options that might not have made it south.
I've currently got a newer Marlin 1894 in .357/.38, and as soon as my application to get my license upgraded to a RPAL gets approved I'd like to get a S&W revolver in the same caliber to go along with it for target shooting and casual competition use (steel challenge, action shooting, etc.). The one I have my eye on is a (reportedly gently) used model 19-4 with a six inch barrel currently being advertised with a price roughly 2/3 that of a new model 19 or 586.
I've heard plenty of mixed information about how lighter, faster, higher pressured .357 loads can lead to cracked forcing cones and fatigue cracks in the frame of these old guns, and even poorly chosen .38 special loads can lead to excessive wear over time. I'd like to find a load that can be used in this gun or others like it with minimal concern for it wearing out or cracking any part of the gun, but that can also be shot through my Marlin without causing squibs to get stuck in that long 18.5" barrel. Lower charge weights that let me stretch out how many loads I can make from a pound of powder are a bonus, but not a chief priority. If I can use most of the same components in a moderate .357 load for occasional range fun in my Marlin, all the better.
Here's what I've come up with so far, but feel free to let me know if any of these are terrible choices. My bullet selection would be the 158 grain TC FCP from Campro, which can pretty well be treated as a jacketed bullet from what I've read. My local range doesn't want magnum loads used on their steel competition targets, so for casings I'll probably be using .38 special or .38 special +P cases from Starline. The primers I can find in most local stores online are Federal and CCI.
Where I really need help is in powder selection. I've heard some people talk very fondly of Titegroup for light to moderate .38 and .357 loads, and it's cheap, available at every store I've been to or looked at online, and recommended by Campro themselves for that particular bullet. However, I've also heard many people talk about a bunch of problems it has that make me concerned about using it in a gun I'm trying not to beat to death. Specifically, it's a very hot, very fast burning powder that tends to cause scorch marks because the powder and gas can escape around the sides of the cases before they can fully expand, and the pressures it reaches for the same performance as other powders are a little concerning. Fast powders are what some members specifically mentioned to avoid if you want your gun to last. However, it seems like the vast majority of powders suitable for .38 special are fast burning, and those that aren't are either very position sensitive, have even higher reported max pressures, or are extremely dirty, which I've read can lead to higher wear if you shoot it a lot in between cleanings (which is very likely to happen in a competition).
Am I being anxious for no reason, freaking out about the wear from .38 loads in a gun rated for occasional .357 magnum use? I really love the blued Smith and Wesson revolvers, and if I'm going to go to all the trouble of getting a restricted license and a club membership, and then shell out hundreds of dollars for a handgun, I want it to be a quality gun that I'm going to really like and that will last me for a long time.
I've currently got a newer Marlin 1894 in .357/.38, and as soon as my application to get my license upgraded to a RPAL gets approved I'd like to get a S&W revolver in the same caliber to go along with it for target shooting and casual competition use (steel challenge, action shooting, etc.). The one I have my eye on is a (reportedly gently) used model 19-4 with a six inch barrel currently being advertised with a price roughly 2/3 that of a new model 19 or 586.
I've heard plenty of mixed information about how lighter, faster, higher pressured .357 loads can lead to cracked forcing cones and fatigue cracks in the frame of these old guns, and even poorly chosen .38 special loads can lead to excessive wear over time. I'd like to find a load that can be used in this gun or others like it with minimal concern for it wearing out or cracking any part of the gun, but that can also be shot through my Marlin without causing squibs to get stuck in that long 18.5" barrel. Lower charge weights that let me stretch out how many loads I can make from a pound of powder are a bonus, but not a chief priority. If I can use most of the same components in a moderate .357 load for occasional range fun in my Marlin, all the better.
Here's what I've come up with so far, but feel free to let me know if any of these are terrible choices. My bullet selection would be the 158 grain TC FCP from Campro, which can pretty well be treated as a jacketed bullet from what I've read. My local range doesn't want magnum loads used on their steel competition targets, so for casings I'll probably be using .38 special or .38 special +P cases from Starline. The primers I can find in most local stores online are Federal and CCI.
Where I really need help is in powder selection. I've heard some people talk very fondly of Titegroup for light to moderate .38 and .357 loads, and it's cheap, available at every store I've been to or looked at online, and recommended by Campro themselves for that particular bullet. However, I've also heard many people talk about a bunch of problems it has that make me concerned about using it in a gun I'm trying not to beat to death. Specifically, it's a very hot, very fast burning powder that tends to cause scorch marks because the powder and gas can escape around the sides of the cases before they can fully expand, and the pressures it reaches for the same performance as other powders are a little concerning. Fast powders are what some members specifically mentioned to avoid if you want your gun to last. However, it seems like the vast majority of powders suitable for .38 special are fast burning, and those that aren't are either very position sensitive, have even higher reported max pressures, or are extremely dirty, which I've read can lead to higher wear if you shoot it a lot in between cleanings (which is very likely to happen in a competition).
Am I being anxious for no reason, freaking out about the wear from .38 loads in a gun rated for occasional .357 magnum use? I really love the blued Smith and Wesson revolvers, and if I'm going to go to all the trouble of getting a restricted license and a club membership, and then shell out hundreds of dollars for a handgun, I want it to be a quality gun that I'm going to really like and that will last me for a long time.