38 special snubby loads.

Brutus · September 6, 2020, 11:15 AM

Just bought a new 2" Colt Cobra and I took it out for the first time yesterday with some handloads. Also have an old Colt Alum. frame Agent.

First up was a 158gr. lead semi wadcutter with 5.5gr of AA#5, which should yield about 750/800 fps.
Very pleasant to shoot but shot about 3 inches high at 31ft in both the Agent and the Cobra.
Next I tried some 125gr. Hornady XTP's with 6.5gr. of AA#5 for about 900/950fps. Didn't shoot these out of the Agent.
Not quite a +P load based on the new Western powder reloading manual. They start +P loads at 6.8gr. for 1074fps. out of a 7.75" barrel.
My guesstimated velocities are base on the 2" barrel. Went to an indoor range and I didn't bring the Labradar along, will do that next week when I'm outdoors.
This load was quite accurate at 31ft. but still shot about an 1" high from POA. The AA#5 was very clean burning in both loads.
So the question is what's your favorite 38 Special handload?

USSR · September 6, 2020, 11:53 AM

Did some load development for what's known as "the FBI Load" for my 2.5" snubbie a number of years ago. Powders used were AA#5 and HS-6. Loads were as follows:

158gr Cast HP, 6.4gr AA#5, standard primer: 845fps
158gr Cast HP, 7.0gr HS-6, magnum primer: 940fps

Results shown below with middle bullet being the AA#5 load, and bullet on right being the HS-6 load.

Don

BJung · September 8, 2020, 10:31 PM

USSR - Are these your cast bullets? Whose molds are you using? Are you using wheel weights?

BJung · September 8, 2020, 10:46 PM

This reload was made for my nephew's Ruger LCR. An online source said that 6.8gr of AA5 replicates the Speer 38-135gr Gold Dot load. From an online source both the NYPD and LAPD claim that the factory loaded 38-135 Gold Dots performed well under real shootings. This photo is my reload shot through two 1 gal jugs of water at 10 feet from my 6" S&W because I didn't have my nephew's LCR to test with.

luger fan · September 9, 2020, 02:19 AM

USSR. What medium were they fired into? Thanks!

USSR · September 9, 2020, 06:41 AM

Guys, to answer your questions:

Quote:

USSR - Are these your cast bullets? Whose molds are you using? Are you using wheel weights?

Yes, these are my cast bullets. I use MP Molds brass molds for hollowpoint bullets exclusively. Wheel weights as an alloy would be too hard and you would not get good expansion at low handgun velocities. The alloy used for these sub-1,000 fps bullets consists of 97% pure lead, 2.5% tin, and 0.5% antimony. You've got to keep the tin content high and the antimony content low to get this kind of expansion at low velocities.

Quote:

USSR. What medium were they fired into? Thanks!

I use water soaked newsprint as my medium. It is better than shooting into water filled plastic bottles, which is too hard of a medium, and it provides physical evidence of the destruction along the bullet's path.

Don

hdbiker · September 9, 2020, 03:03 PM

my short barrel .38 Spl. go to load is 3.5 grains of Bullseye under my cast 158 grain SWC. I have about 30 boxes loaded up for when the grand kids want to go shooting. hdbiker

Paul B. · September 9, 2020, 04:22 PM

Lyman #358156 158 gr. gas checked bullet over 5.0 gr. of Unique.
Paul B.

**Unclenick** · September 9, 2020, 04:33 PM

Brutus,

It sounds like you dropped 1" every 12.5 grains. Now you need a 112.5-grain bullet to be spot on. I'm guessing a 110-grain bullet will be close enough and it's available. Should be easier shooting out of a light gun, too.

Brutus · September 9, 2020, 05:49 PM

12.5 grains?

Looking to develop a load with 158gr. SWC's just anaconda I'm an old fart and stuck in my ways.

gwpercle · September 9, 2020, 06:47 PM

Lyman # 358432 discontinued ...but available from NOE as #360-160-WC PB
this is a wadcutter type bullet , cast of 50/50 COWW - soft lead , sized .358 .

loaded over 5.0 grains of Unique for a good all around standard pressure load , this has been my favorite 38 spcl. load for 40 years .

For the aluminum framed Agent I would go with 4.7 grains of Unique .

5.3 grs. of Unique will get you into 38 special +P load .

This bullet design has proven extremely accurate in all of my 38 and 357 magnum revolvers . this one is a wadcutter but designed to not be loaded flush ...
Gary

**Unclenick** · September 11, 2020, 06:59 PM

Brutus,

I was just saying you lost an inch of POI for every 12.5 grains that came off the bullet weight, starting at 158-grains. If the front sight can be replaced with something taller, you'd have it nailed.

Brutus · September 12, 2020, 02:52 PM

^^ Now I'm pickin up on what your layin down.

pete2 · September 13, 2020, 10:27 AM

For self defense 3" high ain't bad. 1" high is perfect for me on about any handgun, just set the target on top of the sight and shoot. 1" high ain't high.

USSR · September 13, 2020, 11:44 AM

Quote:

1" high is perfect for me on about any handgun, just set the target on top of the sight and shoot. 1" high ain't high.

Ditto.

Don

September 6, 2020, 11:15 AM	#1
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	38 special snubby loads. Just bought a new 2" Colt Cobra and I took it out for the first time yesterday with some handloads. Also have an old Colt Alum. frame Agent. First up was a 158gr. lead semi wadcutter with 5.5gr of AA#5, which should yield about 750/800 fps. Very pleasant to shoot but shot about 3 inches high at 31ft in both the Agent and the Cobra. Next I tried some 125gr. Hornady XTP's with 6.5gr. of AA#5 for about 900/950fps. Didn't shoot these out of the Agent. Not quite a +P load based on the new Western powder reloading manual. They start +P loads at 6.8gr. for 1074fps. out of a 7.75" barrel. My guesstimated velocities are base on the 2" barrel. Went to an indoor range and I didn't bring the Labradar along, will do that next week when I'm outdoors. This load was quite accurate at 31ft. but still shot about an 1" high from POA. The AA#5 was very clean burning in both loads. So the question is what's your favorite 38 Special handload? __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

September 6, 2020, 11:53 AM	#2
USSR Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2017 Location: Finger Lakes Region of NY Posts: 1,442	Did some load development for what's known as "the FBI Load" for my 2.5" snubbie a number of years ago. Powders used were AA#5 and HS-6. Loads were as follows: 158gr Cast HP, 6.4gr AA#5, standard primer: 845fps 158gr Cast HP, 7.0gr HS-6, magnum primer: 940fps Results shown below with middle bullet being the AA#5 load, and bullet on right being the HS-6 load. Don __________________ NRA Life Member NRA Certified Metallic Cartridge Reloading Instructor

September 8, 2020, 10:46 PM	#4
BJung Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2019 Posts: 773	A possible option This reload was made for my nephew's Ruger LCR. An online source said that 6.8gr of AA5 replicates the Speer 38-135gr Gold Dot load. From an online source both the NYPD and LAPD claim that the factory loaded 38-135 Gold Dots performed well under real shootings. This photo is my reload shot through two 1 gal jugs of water at 10 feet from my 6" S&W because I didn't have my nephew's LCR to test with. Last edited by BJung; September 12, 2021 at 12:13 AM.

September 9, 2020, 04:22 PM	#8
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,800	Lyman #358156 158 gr. gas checked bullet over 5.0 gr. of Unique. Paul B. __________________ COMPROMISE IS NOT AN OPTION!

September 9, 2020, 04:33 PM	#9
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	Brutus, It sounds like you dropped 1" every 12.5 grains. Now you need a 112.5-grain bullet to be spot on. I'm guessing a 110-grain bullet will be close enough and it's available. Should be easier shooting out of a light gun, too. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 8, 2020, 10:31 PM	#3
BJung Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2019 Posts: 773	USSR - Are these your cast bullets? Whose molds are you using? Are you using wheel weights?

September 9, 2020, 02:19 AM	#5
luger fan Senior Member Join Date: March 10, 2018 Posts: 150	USSR. What medium were they fired into? Thanks!

September 9, 2020, 03:03 PM	#7
hdbiker Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Posts: 297	my short barrel .38 Spl. go to load is 3.5 grains of Bullseye under my cast 158 grain SWC. I have about 30 boxes loaded up for when the grand kids want to go shooting. hdbiker

September 9, 2020, 05:49 PM	#10
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	12.5 grains? Looking to develop a load with 158gr. SWC's just anaconda I'm an old fart and stuck in my ways. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

September 9, 2020, 06:47 PM	#11
gwpercle Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 1,748	Lyman # 358432 discontinued ...but available from NOE as #360-160-WC PB this is a wadcutter type bullet , cast of 50/50 COWW - soft lead , sized .358 . loaded over 5.0 grains of Unique for a good all around standard pressure load , this has been my favorite 38 spcl. load for 40 years . For the aluminum framed Agent I would go with 4.7 grains of Unique . 5.3 grs. of Unique will get you into 38 special +P load . This bullet design has proven extremely accurate in all of my 38 and 357 magnum revolvers . this one is a wadcutter but designed to not be loaded flush ... Gary Last edited by gwpercle; September 9, 2020 at 06:53 PM.

September 11, 2020, 06:59 PM	#12
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,057	Brutus, I was just saying you lost an inch of POI for every 12.5 grains that came off the bullet weight, starting at 158-grains. If the front sight can be replaced with something taller, you'd have it nailed. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

September 12, 2020, 02:52 PM	#13
Brutus Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2005 Posts: 1,023	^^ Now I'm pickin up on what your layin down. __________________ Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak out, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen, Winston Churchill.

September 13, 2020, 10:27 AM	#14
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	For self defense 3" high ain't bad. 1" high is perfect for me on about any handgun, just set the target on top of the sight and shoot. 1" high ain't high.

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