Load for 'D' frame colt

M14 · November 23, 2013, 08:26 AM

I recently purchased q 1960 vintage D frame Colt in .38 special. I've been looking for a 'doall' load that won't batter my old Colt. Currently I'm using 4.7 grains of SR 4756 UNDER A 158 GRAIN LSWC. IT SHOOTS POA & groups well. IS IT OKAY YO CONTINUE USING THIS OR DOES SOMEONE HAVE A BETTER solution/

Nick_C_S · November 23, 2013, 06:11 PM

That sounds like a pretty mild load to me. It should be fairly easy on your vintage Colt.

Speer #14 shows their 158g LSWC / SR4756 with a starting load at 5.0g. So it's safe to say your 4.7g is very tame.

Clark · November 23, 2013, 08:51 PM

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

~ 10 years ago I got 5 or 6 Colt Police Positive 38 specials that were all surplussed from the same police force.
They were made in 1966.
I bought them for destructive testing.

While it is possible to split the cylinder with fast powder and a stuck bullet, these are much more durable at shooting 357 mag loads than are Smith and Wesson J frame revolvers that are labelled "357 magnum".
I have seen the J frames with shoot rotationally loose with a couple grains over 357 mag, but I have seen the D frame Colts will go many grains over 357 mag load for hundreds of rounds with no sign of wear.

I was so impressed with the durability of the Colt lock up system with trigger force causing the pawl pushing the cylinder against the bolt, that I have bought dozens more double action Colt revolvers. [1909 or when ever they introduced it] I bought another New Service today.

November 23, 2013, 06:11 PM	#2
Nick_C_S Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,523	That sounds like a pretty mild load to me. It should be fairly easy on your vintage Colt. Speer #14 shows their 158g LSWC / SR4756 with a starting load at 5.0g. So it's safe to say your 4.7g is very tame. __________________ Gun control laws benefit only criminals and politicians - but then, I repeat myself. Life Member, National Rifle Association

November 23, 2013, 08:51 PM	#3
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond or not covered by currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information. ~ 10 years ago I got 5 or 6 Colt Police Positive 38 specials that were all surplussed from the same police force. They were made in 1966. I bought them for destructive testing. While it is possible to split the cylinder with fast powder and a stuck bullet, these are much more durable at shooting 357 mag loads than are Smith and Wesson J frame revolvers that are labelled "357 magnum". I have seen the J frames with shoot rotationally loose with a couple grains over 357 mag, but I have seen the D frame Colts will go many grains over 357 mag load for hundreds of rounds with no sign of wear. I was so impressed with the durability of the Colt lock up system with trigger force causing the pawl pushing the cylinder against the bolt, that I have bought dozens more double action Colt revolvers. [1909 or when ever they introduced it] I bought another New Service today. __________________ The word 'forum" does not mean "not criticizing books." "Ad hominem fallacy" is not the same as point by point criticism of books. If you bought the book, and believe it all, it may FEEL like an ad hominem attack, but you might strive to accept other points of view may exist. Are we a nation of competing ideas, or a nation of forced conformity of thought?

November 23, 2013, 08:26 AM	#1
M14 Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2006 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 110	Load for 'D' frame colt I recently purchased q 1960 vintage D frame Colt in .38 special. I've been looking for a 'doall' load that won't batter my old Colt. Currently I'm using 4.7 grains of SR 4756 UNDER A 158 GRAIN LSWC. IT SHOOTS POA & groups well. IS IT OKAY YO CONTINUE USING THIS OR DOES SOMEONE HAVE A BETTER solution/ __________________ Strangers in the night exchanging tracers.