speer gdhp 135gr in .38spc snubbie?

[fireflyfather]

Looking for load data for this bullet for a 642 airweight. The loads I found on alliant's site were tested in 6" barrels, which seems silly for a bullet designed for use in short barreled firearms (but makes sense from a marketing/FPS point of view, I guess).

I don't have the #14 speer manual, but I'm considering loading up some HD rounds for testing purposes, and eventually to replace the ageing 1980/1990's HD ammo I have.

Right now I have gallons of red dot/promo, and I am thinking of starting with that, but those powders aren't even listed on alliant's page for this bullet. I suppose I can try and score some unique/power pistol, but that's one more powder to keep on hand. Does anyone have some more extensive load data/velocity info from snubbies with this bullet?

 

[Walkalong]

PM jfh.

He has worked a lot with that bullet and short barrels.

 

[loadedround]

Firefly:
I do have the Speer Manual and would be glad to list two loads for your 135 gr bullet in +P loads in a 2" 38 Special. The first is the hoter load listed and the second is for Unique. You are correct that RedDot/Promo powder is not suitable for this type of load.
Power Pistol Starting load: 6.0 gr(963 fps) Max load: 6.4 gr(1065 fps)
Unique Starting load: 4.8 gr(867 fps) Max load: 5.2 gr(988 fps)
Both Accurate Arms powders #5 and #7 are the fastest but I won't list them because of oor personal experiences with AA powders.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Along with Jim (jfh) I've also done a lot of work on replicating the Speer Short Barrel .38 Special +P ammo. When working on a replica load velocity isn't the only consideration. I feel you should try to achieve the same felt recoil and the same type of recoil to be successful in the replica. When you practice with that ammo you want the gun to react as close as possible like you were firing the original ammo.

I tried MANY of the recipes and powders that were supposed to replicate the Speer .38 Special Short Barrel ammo and the one I found to be closest to the original is 6.8gr AA#5. I used Speer .38 Special +P brass and a CCI500 primer in my tests. Also, if you want to save some money while working up your replica load instead of buying 135gr Speer Gold Dot bullets try 140gr Hornady XTP bullets in stead, that's what I did. I also did a Speer Short Barrel .357 Magnum replica but that's probably for another thread.

IMO Red Dot and Promo powders are way too fast to achieve the desired velocity and feel without going over the SAAMI pressure limits. If you can't find AA#5 the next best powder I feel will do alright is HS-6 and then Power Pistol.

Good luck and don't forget to give us a report when you try them out.

 

[fireflyfather]

Thanks, for all the replies, and especially JFH for the PDF files.

I'm not trying to replicate the loads for training. I can't get out to the range often enough for that to be meaningful, not to mention that I'm not interested in shelling out for premium carry ammo. I just want to replace my stock of el-dorado starfire hollowpoints that are getting a little long-in-tooth, and get a little practical experience loading hollowpoints. My criteria are essentially this:

1. 135gr GDHP at around 860fps out of my 642.
2. Not paying $1 per round for factory ammo.
3. Having enough components that I can light off one cylinder full each time I go to the range (maybe 3-4 times a year!) after a box or three of my normal reloads, both to familiarize myself (not really train), and to rotate out old ammo.
4. Getting one additional powder that will do the above without experimenting with 5 or 6 powders. Sounds like I am going to see if anyone locally has AA#5 or Power Pistol.

So, if any of these powders can produce enough velocity for decent expansion without breaking the bank, I'm okay with that. My guess was that red dot would be a little too fast to get 860fps without spiking pressure. Sounds like I was right.