So was farting around with true bule powder and 125gr plated bullets for 38 special. The max listed charge for 38+p is 7.2g anyways worked up a load to 7.7 gr and have outstanding accuracy and its supersonic with a 4.2" barrel, just wondering if anyone else has had good luck with really hot 38 special
Anyone else load real hot 38 special?
- Thread starter Kmck
- Start date
Isn't that called .357 Magnum?
#1bcshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Of The DMZ (US border)
Hope you are shooting them out of a 357 pistol
Also hot 125 gr will flame cut the receiver
handofzeus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Trout Creekish Ontario.
Weren't all the broken frames and cylinders on old. 38s from guys loading really hot loads where the idea for. 357 came from? I've loaded hot. 38s and shot them from a. 357 but IMHO shooting hot .38 loads in a .38 is flirting with disaster.
148grHBWC loaded upside down in .38 specials on top of 3 gr of Unique expand to .70-.75 diameter with no leading at about 900fps. US Border patrol load for the concealed 2' snubbies .At 100 yards they will go through one side of a 40 gallon steel drum leaving a respectable welt on the off side.I used them in a S+W model 10 /4"
Would be interesting to try a gas checked cast bullet upside down.
Or 38/44, the predecessor to the .357 Mag., loaded in .38 Spec. cases. Somewhere between a .38 Spec. +P+ and the .357 Mag.
At the Chillliwack Gun Show last month there were several "BC Police" N-frames marked ".38 Special" and i was told that they were issued 38/44 ammo.
Agreed. I'd stick with 158 gr. There is some disagreement about how bad the flame-cutting was with 125gr. but it's not worth the risk.
Look up 38/44 loads. Here's one link (although the pics don't show up because ot Photobucket's changed policies) Doubt you'll get any data for True Blue, although you never know. I'd stick with 2400 as I believe that may be the powder this load was originally developed with. And remember you will get some powder residue buildup in the cylinder due to the shorter .38 case, so be sure to give the chambers a good scrub when you get home from the range.
A couple more links: .357-level loads in .38 Spec. cases, and The 38-44 Outdoorsman.
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Ive heard the flame cutting issue but on my sp 101 ive probably put over 1000 125gr 357 loads with 296, and my gp100 probably 4 times that, lost count have had the gp since 98, but all ive notice on the gp and sp is a mirror polished line above cylinder gap, maybe because they are both stainless
handofzeus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Trout Creekish Ontario.
Thanks for reminding me. I knew there was a reason I quit shooting regular. 38 in my. 357. The crud buildup in the chamber gets annoying.
All revolvers risk flame cut the frame near the cylinder gap regardless of ammo. Good steel guns can take the heat. Scandium/aluminum/wonkyium frames like S&W get a small steel plate to protect from flame cutting.
I find with true blue and cheap plated bullets the build up is minimal, i used to use the same bullets with unique and bullseye and the crud situation was much worse, and i avoid using cast bullets in 38 special because the crud build up is horrible
