Speer 38spl 158 grain JSP data

[Riomouse911]

I’m another that’s not a huge fan of jacketed bullets in a .38 unless it’s a newer specific SD load like HST, Gold Dot, Critical Defense, etc. I had zero good luck with the older JHP in .38’s, it seems they were better suited for .357 loads as they rarely expanded at .38 speeds.

Plated, coated or lead-lube is where I dwell with .38 Special handloads. My experiences have been much more positive, and at a lower cost per shot .

Good luck finding a load you like, when you find one let us know the specs and how it shoots .

Stay safe.

 

[stonebuster]

I’m another that’s not a huge fan of jacketed bullets in a .38 unless it’s a newer specific SD load like HST, Gold Dot, Critical Defense, etc. I had zero good luck with the older JHP in .38’s, it seems they were better suited for .357 loads as they rarely expanded at .38 speeds.

Plated, coated or lead-lube is where I dwell with .38 Special handloads. My experiences have been much more positive, and at a lower cost per shot .

Good luck finding a load you like, when you find one let us know the specs and how it shoots .

Stay safe.

My reloads are for range use and have been using 125gr Xtreme FP & 158gr RNFP mostly 38spl, Lately I've been happy with 158gr Xtreme RNFP over 4.3 grains HP-38. They shoot accurately and burn clean. In a 357 case I load 5.7gr HP-38 under 125gr Xtreme FP. Those would be the two I like the best so far. No chronograph yet. In the past 14 months loaded @ 10k & shot 4k of them all done on the Lee Classic Turret. Great retirement hobby. Cost is about $12.50/50rnds.

 

[Riomouse911]

I’ve slowed down my range sessions a bit, between COVID idiocy and kids now doing extracurricular stuff they gobble up a lot of my free time. I’ve sent pounds and pounds of Xtreme plated bullets down range using Bullseye, HP-38, AA5, IMR Target and Unique. Being primarily an indoor shooter now, I have come to really like their bullets.

Stay safe.

 

[mdi]

I too have reloaded way more cast bullets than jacketed (38 Special, 357 Magnum 44 Special. 44 Magnum and 45 Colt). I have some guns that have never had a jacketed bullet in my handloads. I mostly use JHPs in my 9mms, but recently haven purchased a 357 snub and a 9mm revolver and have gotten back into JHP loading...

 

[joneb]

Rossi 3" bobbed hammer J-Frame .38Spl with CP 200gr. LWFN-GC over 2.8gr. of Bullseye

I've loaded 180gr MBC coated the actual weight was closer to 185gr. for a 2.75" Ruger Security six and those shot ok. I would guess a 200gr bullet through a 1 7/8" 1:18.75 twist .38 spl. would be a challenge. I will stick with the 158's for short barrel .38 spl but may consider the 180gr + for 4-6" barrels.
Colt did a 1:16 twist for .38-.357mag. which did very well with 180+gr bullets in a 4" Trooper for me.