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Dave T · May 11, 2011, 01:02 PM

I suspect my opinion qualifies me for "old phart" status but I would not choose that load, no matter the barrel length.

If forced by circumstances to carry a 38 Special, I would revert back to the 38/44 loads of the 1930s. This propelled a 158g bullet at ~1150 fps from a 4-5 inch barreled revolver. Buffalo Bore's 158g LSWCHP-GC duplicates this performance. I can duplicate this by handloading 12g of 2400 under a 158g plated FP.

If I was restricted to a 2" barrel (can't envision how that would happen) I'd probably carry Buffalo Bore's 150g standard pressure full wad cutter.

Dave

May 11, 2011, 01:02 PM	#10
Dave T Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2000 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 1,456	I suspect my opinion qualifies me for "old phart" status but I would not choose that load, no matter the barrel length. If forced by circumstances to carry a 38 Special, I would revert back to the 38/44 loads of the 1930s. This propelled a 158g bullet at ~1150 fps from a 4-5 inch barreled revolver. Buffalo Bore's 158g LSWCHP-GC duplicates this performance. I can duplicate this by handloading 12g of 2400 under a 158g plated FP. If I was restricted to a 2" barrel (can't envision how that would happen) I'd probably carry Buffalo Bore's 150g standard pressure full wad cutter. Dave __________________ RSVN '69-'71 PCSD Ret