Tite Group in .38 Spl.
- Thread starter Sharps '74
- Start date
You can only get around 900fps at 38Spl pressures. So if you load 357 pressure in a 38 case, be veryc areful you don't have a brain fart and load one in a 38 Spl revolver.
5.0 gr will get you around 1000 fps. It will vary a bit, gun to gun.
5.5 would be about right for 1080.
Why that particular velocity?
5.0 gr will get you around 1000 fps. It will vary a bit, gun to gun.
5.5 would be about right for 1080.
Why that particular velocity?
and there is a very good reason that .38 cases are shorter than .357Mag cases . . .
One half gr of Tite Group more than 5 grs might be excessive as pressures rise exponentially with fast burning powders when top loading. I'll have to prevail upon a pal's chrono to know for sure.
I need 1080 fps to score IPSC "Major" 170 power factor with 158 gr bullets: 158x1080 = 170.640.
The original .357 loads were developed with .38 Spl. brass. The cases commercial were made longer to prevent chambering in .38 Spl. revolvers.
I shot 158/7.5 grs Unique in .38 Spl. cases years ago as I had an unlimited supply of .38 Spl. brass. I'd get 3-4 reloads out of much used brass before the cases split. The gun was a K frame 4" M66 and it did take a pounding from the heavy loads. I only used this load in competition, not practice.
Since I'm shooting a Pro Series 686-6 revolver vs the 7 and 8 shot guns, the extra points for anything less than an "A" zone hit matter for score.
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I just checked Hodgdon's web site (which should have been my first resource) and with jacketed 158 they list:
- .38 Spl. Plus P
158/4.3 Tite Group for 905 fps
- .357 Magnum
158/5.4 Tite Group for 1135 fs
Looks like 5 grs would be a prudent maximum load in .38 Spl. brass.
- .38 Spl. Plus P
158/4.3 Tite Group for 905 fps
- .357 Magnum
158/5.4 Tite Group for 1135 fs
Looks like 5 grs would be a prudent maximum load in .38 Spl. brass.
Why in hell would you feel it necessary to touch the forcing cone of a revolver?
As a CAS competitor, I can vouch for how hot the cylinder of a Colt SAA gets with BP loads! After 12 rds, you don't want to touch the cylinder !!! Same for the 24" barrel of a Henry with BP loads.
Agreed. A couple of sources listed 1100 to 1108 with 5 grs Tite Group and 158 gr bullets. That's in excess of the 1080 fps to make IPSC "Major". A Hogdon manual I have lists 5.4 grs Tite Group at 1135 fps with 158 Hornady XTP bullets.
4.5 grs might just make it, but only a Chrony will tell. The testing at an IPSC match is ruthless, no margin for error. Your load makes it or it doesn't.
It's the way I speed reload I touch the forcing cone. We are not talking about BP but TiteGroup!
I jam a good portion of my left hand right in there too. Sometimes I touch things I regret...
Another good reason to reload with the left hand.
If you are using speed loaders, then you are better reloading with your right hand as your left hand holds the cylinder through the frame. Even using Comp III speed loaders, you sometime have to give a little turn & wiggle to slide that set of cartridges in. For anything with moon clips, I reload with my left hand. I’ve chamfered all those cylinders and use the pointiest bullets I can find. It’s a much faster reload.
I prefer working up major PF loads with Longshot as it's more forgiving. I use 8.2gr of Longshot under a 158gr Campro that gives me a nice 1110fps. I did workup a load with Titegroup, 5.9gr gave me 1100fps. This was in my 4.2" 686 and the gap between the forcing cone and cylinder is .010 so my reloads run a little slower in this revolver.
Not really, I've been doing it my way for over 35 years. You don't go chasing the cylinder but have complete control.
I was taught by 2 RCMP trainers.
Slightly less will likely give me what I'm after (1080 fps) with my 5" 686-6 which has a tight cylinder gap.
Had a pal whose Major .357 loads were with Bulls Eye. Lots of flash! You could have taken night photos with it.
I always though it wise not to touch hot surfaces.
Did your rcmp trainers also teach you to SA #### a revolver as well? Works well for bulls eye shooting, not so well in competition or on the street.
The weak hand hold with strong hand loading is taught by pretty much everyone who "knows".
Even after tightening the gap to the point where there almost isn't one my first 686 was still 125ish fps slower than all my other .357s. It's a point of frustration and confusion. I even sold that one and bought another with a very tight gap and saw no difference ... If you don't Chrono your loads you may find yourself in a bad spot at some point.
Not really. Get a copy of the current issue of "Lands & Grooves" magazine by Kimber. It has an excellent, well illustrated article by Patrick Sweeney on three methods of revolver reloading; their various pros & cons.
They may "know" but the people I see getting turfed from matches for muzzle violation all transfer the gun to the left hand.
Jerry Miculek doesn't count as he is a Klingon.
