Looking for a good 38 special +P load for snub nose

98 220 swift · January 29, 2015, 01:44 PM

Looking for a good +p load for a snub nose for practice loads. Using 125gr xtp.

Shooter2675 · January 29, 2015, 03:27 PM

Cant give exact numbers but I would say a quicker burning powder would be best so you waste the least amount of powder with still a good bit of power behind the bullet. Look up a powder burning rate comparison and find some fast burning ones.

John

jtmckinney · January 29, 2015, 05:26 PM

I use Bullseye and still have over a pound left but I haven't seen it on the shelves for quite a while. I also hear Titegroup is another good one and it is on the shelves at least in the DFW area.

98 220 swift · January 29, 2015, 05:51 PM

I have some bullseye. I am also thinking hs-6. or possibly AA-5.

mikejonestkd · January 29, 2015, 05:52 PM

The above responses are good - use a faster burning powder like Bullseye.

+P out of a snub is not that enjoyable to me, but I wish you the best.

98 220 swift · January 29, 2015, 05:55 PM

I want to load a few to get a feel for it with +p before I carry with them. I plan to practice mostly with light 158gr loads but also want a few +p to also get a good feel with them. Its cheaper to load my own rather than buy a box just to shoot paper with.

skizzums · January 29, 2015, 06:13 PM

that's y favorite bullet for a snubbie. I prefer hp38 or titegroup. what kind of powder do you have available? titegroup is great because there is almost zero flash, use a magnum primer and work-up to a max of 5.0. hs-6 would be okay too, but your not going to utilize it all, at least I wouldn't think

the one on the bottom is the 125gr XTP using titgroup from a 1.8" barrel, the top is the same load from a 20" bbl

98 220 swift · January 29, 2015, 06:30 PM

Powders I have AA no 5 bullseye red dot blue dot hp-38 unique hs-6 and some 296 (probably too slow)

Kframe · January 29, 2015, 07:29 PM

HS-6 would be my first choice in a snubbie, then either Red Dot or Bullseye.

skizzums · January 29, 2015, 08:24 PM

no 5 and hs-6 have essentially the same rate. HP38 with do the best if your avoiding flash, but hs-6 /no 5 will get you a bit more velocity, just depends what's important to you. for practice loads like you said, hp38 would not only shoot a little nicer, it would also save you a lot of powder. hp38 also matches the velocity that hornadays factory 125gr +p advertises

Nick_C_S · January 30, 2015, 01:15 AM

Quote:

I am also thinking HS-6. or possibly AA-5.

Well I'm in the camp with the other fellows who recommend a fast powder because of the short barrel. Like skizzums said - HP-38 is a great choice. Yes, slower powders (like the HS-6 and AA5 you mention) will yield a higher velocity, but it will come at the expense of more recoil and a large flame bloom - as skizzums said.

But that doesn't mean you shouldn't load with HS-6 or AA5. It just means the ammo will be "out of balance" to the firearm shooting it. Personal preference.

Personal experience:

I would advise against HS-6. Not because it's the wrong burn rate. But because I have never had good luck with it in 38 Special. And I've tried countless combinations over decades. It just doesn't burn consistent in the lower pressure 38 Special cartridge. 38 Special is just not a comfortable home for HS-6. I stopped loading HS-6 in 38 & 44 Special entirely. It does much better in higher pressure cartridges - like 9mm, 10mm, and 357 Magnum. Just sayin'.

AA5 however, is a clean burner at lower pressures. Of these two, I'd definitely go with the AA5. At that, I still recommend loading it up pretty good. Work up for safety of course; but you'll find AA5 shooting nice when you get it up there a bit.

TimSr · January 30, 2015, 10:20 AM

What is your non-practice ammo? Best to try to simulate it in velocity, as your height of impact can vary greatly. Most snubbies with fixed sights are sighted for slower heavier bullets. Its not that noticeable at very close range, but when you get out to 75ft, it can be quite significant.

jtmckinney · January 30, 2015, 03:27 PM

Quote:

What is your non-practice ammo? Best to try to simulate it in velocity, as your height of impact can vary greatly. Most snubbies with fixed sights are sighted for slower heavier bullets.

I agree with this, I use 158 grain in my defence rounds and also practice with same and the POI is 3 to 4 inches higher (and much closer to point of aim, maybe 1 inch low for me) at 7 yards than 125 grain bullets from my 38 Special hammerless snubbie.

January 29, 2015, 01:44 PM	#1
98 220 swift Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2015 Location: Perryville MO Posts: 426	Looking for a good 38 special +P load for snub nose Looking for a good +p load for a snub nose for practice loads. Using 125gr xtp. Last edited by 98 220 swift; January 29, 2015 at 01:54 PM.

January 29, 2015, 03:27 PM	#2
Shooter2675 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2013 Location: Western Pennsylvania Posts: 382	Cant give exact numbers but I would say a quicker burning powder would be best so you waste the least amount of powder with still a good bit of power behind the bullet. Look up a powder burning rate comparison and find some fast burning ones. John __________________ "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln

January 29, 2015, 05:26 PM	#3
jtmckinney Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 490	I use Bullseye and still have over a pound left but I haven't seen it on the shelves for quite a while. I also hear Titegroup is another good one and it is on the shelves at least in the DFW area. __________________ “Government does few things well but it does them at great expense” Cal Thomas “When Government Can’t Be Trusted” 6/11/2013 When I am weaker than you, I ask you for freedom because that is according to your principles; When I am stronger than you, I take away your freedoms because that is according to my principles. Frank Herbert "Children of Dune"

January 29, 2015, 05:52 PM	#5
mikejonestkd Senior Member Join Date: January 3, 2006 Location: Brockport, NY Posts: 3,717	The above responses are good - use a faster burning powder like Bullseye. +P out of a snub is not that enjoyable to me, but I wish you the best. __________________ You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

January 29, 2015, 06:13 PM	#7
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	that's y favorite bullet for a snubbie. I prefer hp38 or titegroup. what kind of powder do you have available? titegroup is great because there is almost zero flash, use a magnum primer and work-up to a max of 5.0. hs-6 would be okay too, but your not going to utilize it all, at least I wouldn't think the one on the bottom is the 125gr XTP using titgroup from a 1.8" barrel, the top is the same load from a 20" bbl __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed Last edited by skizzums; January 29, 2015 at 06:20 PM.

January 29, 2015, 05:51 PM	#4
98 220 swift Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2015 Location: Perryville MO Posts: 426	I have some bullseye. I am also thinking hs-6. or possibly AA-5.

January 29, 2015, 05:55 PM	#6
98 220 swift Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2015 Location: Perryville MO Posts: 426	I want to load a few to get a feel for it with +p before I carry with them. I plan to practice mostly with light 158gr loads but also want a few +p to also get a good feel with them. Its cheaper to load my own rather than buy a box just to shoot paper with.

January 29, 2015, 06:30 PM	#8
98 220 swift Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2015 Location: Perryville MO Posts: 426	Powders I have AA no 5 bullseye red dot blue dot hp-38 unique hs-6 and some 296 (probably too slow)

January 29, 2015, 07:29 PM	#9
Kframe Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 1999 Location: MN Posts: 640	HS-6 would be my first choice in a snubbie, then either Red Dot or Bullseye. __________________ RN - ICU NRA - PATRON LIFE

January 29, 2015, 08:24 PM	#10
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	no 5 and hs-6 have essentially the same rate. HP38 with do the best if your avoiding flash, but hs-6 /no 5 will get you a bit more velocity, just depends what's important to you. for practice loads like you said, hp38 would not only shoot a little nicer, it would also save you a lot of powder. hp38 also matches the velocity that hornadays factory 125gr +p advertises __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

January 30, 2015, 10:20 AM	#12
TimSr Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 2013 Location: Rittman, Ohio Posts: 2,074	What is your non-practice ammo? Best to try to simulate it in velocity, as your height of impact can vary greatly. Most snubbies with fixed sights are sighted for slower heavier bullets. Its not that noticeable at very close range, but when you get out to 75ft, it can be quite significant.