Need a good .38 Spl +P load

DMZX · July 15, 2007, 10:31 PM

Could anyone suggest a good load using Unique in a .38 Spl +P with the 158 gr Hornady XTP? Speer #13 does not list a +P load for any jacketed 158 gr bullet.

joneb · July 15, 2007, 10:43 PM

What gun will you be shooting this +p from ?

DMZX · July 15, 2007, 10:48 PM

It is a 3" Taurus 605.

crowbeaner · July 15, 2007, 11:23 PM

AA #5 witha 158 gr. std. load is 5.9 gr. +P is 6.9 gr. Works great and SD is minimal as long as you trim your cases and crimp properly.

crowbeaner · July 15, 2007, 11:29 PM

OOPS you said Unique- 5.0 for std. load and 5.5 for +P.

DMZX · July 15, 2007, 11:40 PM

5.5 grain of Unique, check.

Thanks cb.

joneb · July 16, 2007, 01:09 AM

This is from a Hornady load manual, test gun S&W m-15 4", primer fed 100, case trim length 1.145"
158gr XTP/HP C.O.L. 1.455"
+p = 4.5gr of Unique
max load = 4.7gr of U

nate45 · July 16, 2007, 01:48 AM

I'm not sure a 158gr will expand well in your barrel length unless its a LSWC-HP and the good ones like the Rem and Win factory loads are as far as I know unavalible as components. I like the Speer 135gr GD SB over 5.8grs of Power Pistol in my 2in 605 I also use 13.5gr H-110 with the 180gr Nosler Partition in .357 cases of course. It expands as well as the GD and penetrates much deeper. The only drawback is the fierce recoil.

DMZX · July 16, 2007, 03:11 PM

Okay. Loaded up 10 cartridges with 5.5 grains of Unique under a 158 gr XPT. (Crowbeaner's suggested load)

Just got back from the G Pit.

That is an nice moderate, accurate load. It feels (recoil and muzzle blast) just like the UMC 125 gr +P load, but with much less muzzle flash.

Printed a nice 5 shot cluster @ ~25' that measured just under 3", standing off hand. The best I could do with the 125 gr UMC load was ~4.5".

July 16, 2007, 01:48 AM	#8
nate45 Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2007 Location: Illinois Posts: 3,746	I'm not sure a 158gr will expand well in your barrel length unless its a LSWC-HP and the good ones like the Rem and Win factory loads are as far as I know unavalible as components. I like the Speer 135gr GD SB over 5.8grs of Power Pistol in my 2in 605 I also use 13.5gr H-110 with the 180gr Nosler Partition in .357 cases of course. It expands as well as the GD and penetrates much deeper. The only drawback is the fierce recoil. __________________ "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."- Thomas Jefferson ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ (>_<)

July 15, 2007, 10:31 PM	#1
DMZX Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2007 Location: E. Oregon Posts: 563	Need a good .38 Spl +P load Could anyone suggest a good load using Unique in a .38 Spl +P with the 158 gr Hornady XTP? Speer #13 does not list a +P load for any jacketed 158 gr bullet.

July 15, 2007, 10:43 PM	#2
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	What gun will you be shooting this +p from ?

July 15, 2007, 10:48 PM	#3
DMZX Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2007 Location: E. Oregon Posts: 563	It is a 3" Taurus 605.

July 15, 2007, 11:23 PM	#4
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	AA #5 witha 158 gr. std. load is 5.9 gr. +P is 6.9 gr. Works great and SD is minimal as long as you trim your cases and crimp properly.

July 15, 2007, 11:29 PM	#5
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	OOPS you said Unique- 5.0 for std. load and 5.5 for +P.

July 15, 2007, 11:40 PM	#6
DMZX Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2007 Location: E. Oregon Posts: 563	5.5 grain of Unique, check. Thanks cb.

July 16, 2007, 01:09 AM	#7
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	This is from a Hornady load manual, test gun S&W m-15 4", primer fed 100, case trim length 1.145" 158gr XTP/HP C.O.L. 1.455" +p = 4.5gr of Unique max load = 4.7gr of U

July 16, 2007, 03:11 PM	#9
DMZX Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2007 Location: E. Oregon Posts: 563	Okay. Loaded up 10 cartridges with 5.5 grains of Unique under a 158 gr XPT. (Crowbeaner's suggested load) Just got back from the G Pit. That is an nice moderate, accurate load. It feels (recoil and muzzle blast) just like the UMC 125 gr +P load, but with much less muzzle flash. Printed a nice 5 shot cluster @ ~25' that measured just under 3", standing off hand. The best I could do with the 125 gr UMC load was ~4.5".